An Italian-developed mobile app, Pick-Roll, is helping basketball enthusiasts address common problems like finding nearby courts and players for games. The app, founded by Dario Ferretti, is described as a geolocation-based platform that identifies playgrounds, gyms, and arenas and facilitates connections among users seeking teammates and opponents.
Pick-Roll app tackling basketball problems
According to Pick-Roll, its app enables users to locate nearby basketball courts, upload new locations, and provide details such as the number of hoops, lighting conditions, and accessibility features. A “check-in” option lets players inform others about their presence on a particular court, encouraging users to connect and arrange casual games.
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The company also highlights its skill rating system, which lets players assign scores to themselves and others. This feature is claimed to enhance the platform by offering a way for users to match skill levels effectively, creating more balanced and engaging games.
User numbers and popularity
Pick-Roll advertises that it has more than 100,000 registered users globally, with over 50,000 claiming to be active participants. The app aims to act as a meeting point for amateur players who struggle to find reliable courts or companions for basketball games.
The app’s features reportedly support the basketball community in urban areas, helping foster connections between players while addressing limited access to quality facilities.
Partnerships and tournament presence
The Italian startup has developed collaborations with prominent organizations and brands. For the past four years, it has been the official app for the Italian Basketball Federation’s (FIP) 3 vs. 3 tournaments, a format now recognized as an Olympic sport. The company claims to have partnered with well-known names like Red Bull, Puma, Decathlon, and Wilson, among others. These relationships are promoted as a testament to the app’s integration into the larger basketball ecosystem.
Additionally, Pick-Roll facilitated registrations and results tracking for various FIP-organized tournaments, reportedly part of efforts to broaden amateur involvement in the sport.
Future plans and social projects
Pick-Roll plans to introduce a freemium model, offering premium perks to high-ranking users, such as exclusive events and opportunities. The app also outlines its participation in the Euroleague Basketball FanXP 2024 initiative, which aims to innovate basketball experiences for players and fans through cutting-edge projects. The company highlights its focus on social initiatives, particularly urban redevelopment projects.
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Collaborating with local authorities, Pick-Roll claims it aims to enhance the safety and inclusivity of public basketball courts. These upgrades are advertised not only for the benefit of players but also for the surrounding communities. By offering functionalities aimed at solving specific basketball challenges, Pick-Roll portrays itself as a tool to build community connections and encourage the sport’s accessibility on a global scale.
YouTube: Basketball everywhere – Pick-Roll app (promotional clip)
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Photo credit: The feature image shows the startup founder and has been provided along with the press release to us via email. The infographic in the body of the article has been done by Statista.
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