captain's pick

1.
InternationalUSUKneutralsports
- A player selected at the discretion of a team captain rather than qualifying automatically by points or ranking.
- A discretionary selection made by the captain as part of a team's roster for a competition.
2.
InternationalUSUKinformalfigurative
- A choice or appointment made by a leader or person in authority based on personal judgment rather than formal criteria.
- An individual's selection that reflects the preferences or authority of a leader rather than objective qualification.

Examples: