In Louisville, college sports are a defining feature of our city. From the roar of packed high school gyms on Friday nights to the legacy of college legends whose names still echo in the Yum! Center, it has always been more than just games here; it’s a community, culture, and identity. Families bond over splitting rivalries, and the relationships built through the game often last long after the season ends. For Ethan Coury, 24, that path didn’t end on the court but around it. A former AAU and high school basketball player, Coury has carried Louisville’s basketball spirit into a different lane, building a career as a licensed FIBA agent and Director of International for EZ Sports Group.
Growing up in Louisville, Coury’s love for basketball began at an early age. He played since he was five years old, competing on AAU teams since first grade. “People told me you couldn’t be an agent in Louisville,” he says. “I hope I’m proving that it can be done for other people too.”
After attending Louisville Male and Eastern High School, he went on to study sports administration at the University of Louisville. An internship with UofL’s facilities department gave him a glimpse into the business side of athletics, but it was watching friends like David Johnson and Jay Scrubb reach the NBA that sparked his drive to become an agent.
Today, Coury’s clients include players like Terrence Edwards Jr. and Coury Caulker, among others. For him, a player’s character matters just as much as their talent: “Beyond talent, I look at how they carry themselves. You can tell when someone is genuinely invested.”
His role is anything but a 9-to-5. Between overseas time zones, recruiting, and NIL deals, Coury’s phone can ring at 2 a.m. and he’ll answer. The job, he admits, is high-pressure, but he thrives on the grind. He also takes on special projects, like serving as Director of Operations for Kentucky’s TBT team this past summer, managing logistics and building alumni relationships.
Looking ahead, Coury has his sights set on becoming NBA-certified and one day representing coaches as well as players. He encourages the next generation of youth to grow their passions in the city: “Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it. If I can do it, anybody can”, he says.
From the courts of Louisville to arenas across the world, Ethan Coury proves that the city’s basketball heartbeat travels far and that you don’t have to leave home to build something global.
