The Greensboro Swarm are opening the door for anyone who thinks they can hang with pro talent.
On Friday, the Charlotte Hornets’ NBA G-League affiliate announced that it will hold open tryouts for “prospective players” on Saturday, September 19, at the UNCG Kaplan Center for Wellness. The one-day event gives participants a shot at earning an invitation to Swarm training camp, which starts at the end of October.
That timing matters. Greensboro is coming off a G-League Finals victory and will enter the 2026-27 season as reigning champions, so the organization is looking to keep adding talent as it builds toward the next chapter.
Swarm president Steve Swetoha said the team is eager to keep momentum rolling after the title run, saying, "Our open tryout allows us to connect with talented players from across the country and expand our player pool as we identify individuals who fit our culture and can contribute to the next chapter of Swarm basketball. We look forward to welcoming the next group of players who have the talent and determination to compete in the NBA G-League."
Registration opened Friday and will be handled online only. Players must complete an application and pay a $260 non-refundable fee by August 31. Starting September 1, the fee rises to $300.
The tryout day will begin with check-in at 9 AM ET, followed by workouts from 10:30 AM to 2 PM. Only the first 125 people will be admitted, and prospects are being told to arrive early if they want one of those spots.
An invitation to training camp would not lock anyone into Greensboro’s roster, but it would give an open-tryout player a direct path to compete for a place in the organization.
The Swarm are not alone in offering that route ahead of the 2026-27 season. The Delaware Blue Coats and Motor City Cruise have also held tryouts, giving hopefuls around the country a rare chance to put their game in front of a professional staff.
And while the odds are long, the path is real. In 2016, David Nwaba, an undrafted guard out of Cal Poly, paid $150 for an open tryout with the Reno Bighorns. His rights were then traded to the Los Angeles D-Fenders, where he earned a training camp spot and made the opening night roster.
A year later, Nwaba reached the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers on a 10-Day contract and played against the Charlotte Hornets. He went on to spend six seasons in the league, averaging 6.8 points and earning around $15.3 million.
For anyone who has ever wondered whether they could make it, Greensboro is giving them a chance to find out.
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