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).

 

Great points especially #3. I would also add to the problem of social media and the constant reports from the so called expert bloggers. These guys mean well but are a big problem with inflating expectations. If you follow twitter you will see, "congrats to so and so on getting his first D-1 offer." Or Congrats to "for being invited to elite 100 camp and visiting this school or that." these will be about kids at all ages. If you believe these guys you would think KY is loaded with D-1 talent. But at the end of the day, I think KY only had 5 D-1 signees this year. I also have argued against playing down in age or playing in your own age group when your talent should have you playing up. These kids get larger than life reputations dominating at lower levels. However, as they get older and either don't grow anymore, get better, or other kids catch up Physically the blaming game begins between aau coach, parents, and High school coach. Another reason kids are going to prep school after HS. The offers they are getting are not what they expected. Three top players from Louisville going to prep school. I bet if you search last years twitter post they had all kinds of D-1 offers.

I saw the Magic are playing somewhere.

 

 

@Lville_Magic: 17u win by 30. 17 coaches in attendance including Rod Strickland to watch Lamontray Harris

From Steve Jones of the Courier Journal

 

 

• In Pool X at the Adidas Invitational, Pleasure Ridge Park's Lamontray Harris, who has reclassified to 2015 and plans to attend prep school, had 15 points and 11 rebounds and Eastern guard Cameron Reed also scored 15 as the Louisville Magic beat Gym Rats-Marsh 76-41. Magic coach Trae Cunningham said Long Beach State, Troy, South Florida, Samford, Central Arkansas, Centre, Lipscomb, Eastern Kentucky, Kentucky State, Louisiana Lafayette, Murray State, Bellarmine and Indiana Tech were among the colleges that had recruiters on hand.

Well after three games of aau there have been about 10 kids with college offers. Some after one game.

Too much hype..

Well after three games of aau there have been about 10 kids with college offers. Some after one game.

 

I hope it works out for all of them. I'm glad they have persevered.

Possible Ville - Magic matchup at the Adidas if both teams win their first game tomorrow... Should be interesting if that happens... Good turnout of college coaches at the Adidas in Indy... Considering the Chicago Adidas event...

The ville and the magic play tomorrow at 11:45 am.

The ville and the magic play tomorrow at 11:45 am.

 

Ville beat the Shining Star Sports team that features Liam Rabe (Dixie Heights) and Bo Schuh (Covcath).

Does anyone know the updated roster for the Magic?

@SteveJones_CJ 4m

 

Kansas State has also offered Owensboro/Hoop Dreams big man Aric Holman. Big week for him

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>>Raymond Spalding scored 21 points as The Ville held on for a 61-59 win over the Louisville Magic in a 17U platinum bracket round of 16 game. Spalding, watched by Indiana and Xavier this afternoon, will play again at 5 p.m. on the North Central main court