I think the Magic lost their credibility earlier this season when word got out about them quitting tournaments in pool play on more than one occasion and rumors of kids being left at hotels needing rides to the airport began to run rampant and without anyone saying none of it was true.

 

The downside of aau rears it's ugly head. Happens more than people realize. KY Gators folded up this time last year leaving kids to scramble and find teams. Supervision is at a minimum on these trips. I've been on them. Parents send these kids on out of town trips and coaches do not supervise. So some of these stories about the magic does not surprise me. A Louisville aau coach who's been in it awhile confirmed with me that the magic have folded except for th 15's

Trust me when I say that a few negative stories about AAU programs can reflect poorly on all. I cannot speak for other programs or coaches, but our kids are outstanding and we've never left a kid behind.

Fairly or unfairly I've never had a good opinion of Myles. Seems like a stereotypical AAU coach/renegade.

Myles always seemed to be in it for his own benefit not the players. I was told by a couple people I trust that there now will be a 17u team. 16u team is discontinued.

I confirmed with Maxey that Bell is now playing for them. Interesting...I know one thing, if my kid was still on the 15U team, I'd be looking elsewhere, as well.

The downside of aau rears it's ugly head. Happens more than people realize. KY Gators folded up this time last year leaving kids to scramble and find teams. Supervision is at a minimum on these trips. I've been on them. Parents send these kids on out of town trips and coaches do not supervise. So some of these stories about the magic does not surprise me.

 

You bring up a really interesting topic with its own merit. Perhaps you could start a thread about it. Might be interesting for parents, especially those who might want a kid to play aau in the future. Might be an eye-opener for coaches, especially those who aren’t parents and don’t realize how much supervision a kid really needs.

Saw on the Hoop Dreams twitter account that Trace Young joined their team. He was on the Louisville Magic 15u team, and that was the one team that was supposedly staying together.

Saw on the Hoop Dreams twitter account that Trace Young joined their team. He was on the Louisville Magic 15u team, and that was the one team that was supposedly staying together.

 

I don't blame him. I wouldn't let my kid play for the Louisville Magic at this point.

Some of the things discussed here are why AAU teams get a bad rep. Its very unfortunate. I think the other situations that reflect poorly are:

 

1. Bringing kids in with high hopes, and then cutting them, or not playing them to the point where they quite, without every really working with them to help them get better. (I think some people/teams/programs often get caught up in their own reputations that they forget about the kids. They say the off-season is the time to get better..... most often times, it's kids playing AAU...)

2. Telling kids that they'll be playing with so & so, or sponsored by this company or that company. Unfortunately, because it is AAU which involves a lot of money and travel, many kids end up NOT playing with who they thought they would in the beginning. Also, so few teams are actually sponsored that kids/parents don't realize that teams actually purchase Under Armour, Nike, Jordan, etc. uniforms with the money their parents paid. They aren't actually sponsored.

3. Many kids are told that if they play with a certain program that they'll be a Division 1 talent. Some people just don't realize what it really takes to play Division 1 basketball. Its so competitive, and so few kids actually get to play on that level. Yet, you have 10-12 kids all on one team that think they're D1 because a coach/program told them that if they play with them, they can play on that level. Unfortunately, this is simply not the case. Kids aren't seeing things realistically, and in turn, many parents aren't either. They all the sudden think that because they are a part of a certain team that their kid is the best.

4. The amount of AAU teams leads to a lack of disloyalty. I have seen kids with programs for 3 or 4 years or more and then up and switch teams. I don't know that I necessarily see a problem with this as long as it's for the betterment of the player, but it is often a negative perception to those outside the game. This also happens many times because kids are misled.

5. The "Handlers".... Often times the kids are caught in the middle. They play on the team that their "Handler" (guardian, parent, family friend, former coach) tells them to play on because the "Handler" is getting a benefit in some way, or hopes to get a benefit in the future.

 

These are all things that I have seen in AAU, and in talking to many people (including HS coaches and other AAU coaches) that they see as wrong with summer basketball.

 

AGAIN, these aren't all things that I necessarily agree with, but some of them are things I have seen in the past few years, and even quite a bit this year. It's unfortunate for the kids (as they often get lost in translation).

Also, some programs get so big, almost too big, that it becomes more like "sheep-herding". Teams become watered down, and kids don't see much of a benefit.

As stated above, player loyalty is rare when it comes to AAU ball. Look at the 16U & 17U rosters of the those teams that are discussed on here. Most of those kids are on different teams than they were a year or two ago. Sometimes a move is warranted, but some

kids seem to make a habit of it.

As stated above, player loyalty is rare when it comes to AAU ball. Look at the 16U & 17U rosters of the those teams that are discussed on here. Most of those kids are on different teams than they were a year or two ago. Sometimes a move is warranted, but some

kids seem to make a habit of it.

Agreed but it goes both ways. AAU coaches have no problems going after other teams players and offering more benefits.

Agreed but it goes both ways. AAU coaches have no problems going after other teams players and offering more benefits.

 

I don't disagree with your statement at all. It's just that most of the comments on here were addressing the coaching side. I'm just pointing out that there are two sides to this. There's often fault on both sides. For every AAU coach that (unrealistically) dangles that D1 scholarship opportunity, there's a crazy parent/handler who thinks their kid is destined for the NBA!

 

I should be clear that I am NOT referring to the Magic situation - that's inexcusable.

Agreed but it goes both ways. AAU coaches have no problems going after other teams players and offering more benefits.

 

100% agree! A lot of teams will opt to build strong teams, as opposed to trying to stick with the same players and working with them to help make them better, to coach a strong team.

I don't disagree with your statement at all. It's just that most of the comments on here were addressing the coaching side. I'm just pointing out that there are two sides to this. There's often fault on both sides. For every AAU coach that (unrealistically) dangles that D1 scholarship opportunity, there's a crazy parent/handler who thinks their kid is destined for the NBA!

 

I should be clear that I am NOT referring to the Magic situation - that's inexcusable.

 

Agree on the "D1 Dangle" and the parents thinking their kid is "Destined" to be in the NBA.