With AAU Season quickly approaching, I have had many discussions with many people and one topic that continues to come up is the fact that some 16U and 17U teams will be having two teams in those age groups this Summer. I would like to know your opinions on whether this is good or bad? I can see the necessity for it in younger age groups, but 16U and 17U is about exposure. Therefore does it benifit your student athlete to play on a weaker B team when they could go play for numerous other programs main 16U/17U team around the State? What are your thoughts?

Need more variables. Last year Hoop Dreams had two 17U teams and neither of them were B teams. I will say this....I have a kid who is of freshman age and I have no clue how good he is. He'll be trying out for the 15U team at Hoop Dreams and doing individual sessions as well. If he doesn't make the 15U then he'll just do the individual sessions all summer. Most AAU teams already have their rosters filled and if you don't make the top teams then I feel like individual training is more beneficial than playing in what amounts to expensive pickup games. Plus it will likely be too late for him to catch onto what I would consider a top notch team/program. The way AAU works now is that there isn't a true benefit if you aren't playing for one of the better teams/programs. Just my opinion.

I have mixed feelings about this, but my advice would depend on more details. First, I would say what organization are you talking about? Because some orgs have way more respect than others. So just because you are playing with someone else's top team, doesn't mean you will garner more respect from evaluators. Some clubs have the reputation of drawing the best players from their region and there are only so many spots on a team. So when you play for an Org that has respect, they understand whey they have two teams. The other thing I would say is exposure is exposure. And court time is court time...and even better when you are showcasing against elite players. It doesn't matter too much what your team is doing as long as you can play. They know how to find talent...it's their job. Winning and losing really means nothing at this age. Its about getting exposure. If you are good, they already know about you. If you are making a name, their is no better place to do in than playing against the studs they are already looking at.

 

Also, don't snub smaller schools. Not every kid is high D1 and you can get some real nice offers from lower D1, D2 and NAIA schools. So just because you may not be on an elite team, there are all kinds of scouts out there looking to fill spots at all levels. No, KY, Kansas Duke may not be watching your games, but there are plenty of others!

 

At the end of the day, you need to make a decision on is it worth it. You need to be real and determine what level of talent the player really is and what they want their college experience to be. Do they want a chance to play all four years? Do they want to take a chance and go to a larger school and wait their turn...while they recruit new kids every year? Is he ever going to get paid to play the sports after college? Just be real when you ask those questions of you and your player. Those questions and others can provide a reality check and help set obtainable goals and expectations.

Need more variables. Last year Hoop Dreams had two 17U teams and neither of them were B teams. I will say this....I have a kid who is of freshman age and I have no clue how good he is. He'll be trying out for the 15U team at Hoop Dreams and doing individual sessions as well. If he doesn't make the 15U then he'll just do the individual sessions all summer. Most AAU teams already have their rosters filled and if you don't make the top teams then I feel like individual training is more beneficial than playing in what amounts to expensive pickup games. Plus it will likely be too late for him to catch onto what I would consider a top notch team/program. The way AAU works now is that there isn't a true benefit if you aren't playing for one of the better teams/programs. Just my opinion.

 

I disagree with some portions of what you have said primarily because year in and year out many kids get college offers playing for teams that are not necessarily one of the "Top Teams"... There are plenty of really good teams out there in the State of Kentucky that are not affiliated and would not be considered a top program, but year in and year out they help Athletes get scholarships to college just like any other program.. Examples are The Ville, Shining Stars, WKY Elite, etc.... As a parent I would much rather place my child on one of these teams who Travel a National Circuit and are going to be fully invested in my Student Athletes team, rather than him playing for some organizations B team.

 

IMO it makes no difference the organization; a B team is called a B team for a reason. They don't receive the financial support, attention, or notoriety of an organizations A team.While one team goes to Major events fully funded by the organization, the B team ends up going to smaller events with very little, if any, college coaches and paying money out of their pockets which in most cases helps fund the A team. Seen it time and time again over many years.

 

To your point about your son training during the offseason at the age of 15 instead of playing, I would say that the two go hand in hand. Why deny your son a year in which he can develop confidence playing against higher level talent on a consistent basis just because he didn't make one out of a hundred different teams in the State. If his first REAL taste of AAU wound up not being until he is 16U or 17U because you are waiting on him to make 1 team, he may wind up way behind. There is a growth/learning curb in high level AAU and you don't want him learning at Live events in front of College Coaches at the 16U/17U levels. You only get 1 chance to make a 1st impression...

I would not. 2 many other options.

With AAU Season quickly approaching, I have had many discussions with many people and one topic that continues to come up is the fact that some 16U and 17U teams will be having two teams in those age groups this Summer. I would like to know your opinions on whether this is good or bad? I can see the necessity for it in younger age groups, but 16U and 17U is about exposure. Therefore does it benifit your student athlete to play on a weaker B team when they could go play for numerous other programs main 16U/17U team around the State? What are your thoughts?

 

I can only speak for Hoop Dreams, but our teams all travel together and play the same tournaments. If someone chooses to see a second team as a "B Team" then that's their opinion and they are entitled to it but I would disagree. We plan to have 2 teams at the 15u, 16u and 17u levels this year.

 

As a program, Hoop Dreams has connections at every level of college basketball. Not every player can be D1 but last time I checked a D2 or NAIA scholarship still covers the cost of college attendance. Even Junior College is the best option for some kids who show the potential to develop. Most kids in Kentucky are low major D1 prospects or D2/NAIA. It is important that whatever program a kid plays for has coaches advocating for them to college coaches and working to get the player to the collegiate level.

 

I suppose the question becomes if a young man or woman would get more exposure playing with the 2nd team of a bigger program or if they played for the only team of a smaller program.

 

When the NCAA evaluation period rolls around, you have to be in front of the coaches to have an opportunity to earn scholarships. If you play with a smaller team, they may not play a strong enough schedule and may not be where the coaches are when the evaluation periods roll around.

 

Not sure if all my thoughts make sense, but I hope they do.

I disagree with some portions of what you have said primarily because year in and year out many kids get college offers playing for teams that are not necessarily one of the "Top Teams"... There are plenty of really good teams out there in the State of Kentucky that are not affiliated and would not be considered a top program, but year in and year out they help Athletes get scholarships to college just like any other program.. Examples are The Ville, Shining Stars, WKY Elite, etc.... As a parent I would much rather place my child on one of these teams who Travel a National Circuit and are going to be fully invested in my Student Athletes team, rather than him playing for some organizations B team.

 

IMO it makes no difference the organization; a B team is called a B team for a reason. They don't receive the financial support, attention, or notoriety of an organizations A team.While one team goes to Major events fully funded by the organization, the B team ends up going to smaller events with very little, if any, college coaches and paying money out of their pockets which in most cases helps fund the A team. Seen it time and time again over many years.

 

To your point about your son training during the offseason at the age of 15 instead of playing, I would say that the two go hand in hand. Why deny your son a year in which he can develop confidence playing against higher level talent on a consistent basis just because he didn't make one out of a hundred different teams in the State. If his first REAL taste of AAU wound up not being until he is 16U or 17U because you are waiting on him to make 1 team, he may wind up way behind. There is a growth/learning curb in high level AAU and you don't want him learning at Live events in front of College Coaches at the 16U/17U levels. You only get 1 chance to make a 1st impression...

 

Far as the respect of organizations...it can make a difference. I know orgs that have B teams or whatever you want to call it that get more attention than many other org top teams. It actually happens all the time. Now, if you are talking about two comparable respected orgs, then that's different...hence the "needing more info" on what you're talking about. But are you sure that is that player switches, he would be placed on the top team at the other org? If that answer is yes, then it's a no-brainer. But the way the question is presented, a lot of assumptions are being made to provide our opinion. If you are going from a top org B team to an org that doesn't have near the same reputation, then there is a much different decision to be made. When I have an AAU org, we had many "B" teams. And several of them beat the heck out of some Orgs "A" teams.

With AAU Season quickly approaching, I have had many discussions with many people and one topic that continues to come up is the fact that some 16U and 17U teams will be having two teams in those age groups this Summer. I would like to know your opinions on whether this is good or bad? I can see the necessity for it in younger age groups, but 16U and 17U is about exposure. Therefore does it benifit your student athlete to play on a weaker B team when they could go play for numerous other programs main 16U/17U team around the State? What are your thoughts?

 

It's also not unusual for top teams to have B teams. I know I saw Georgia Stars, Southern Stampede and a handful of others that had second teams at the 16u and 17u level last year.

It's also not unusual for top teams to have B teams. I know I saw Georgia Stars, Southern Stampede and a handful of others that had second teams at the 16u and 17u level last year.

 

I would tend to agree that it makes sense for popular programs to offer multiple teams in as many age groups as they can. It comes down to simple supply and demand. If enough kids want to be associated with a certain program despite not being "good enough" to secure a spot on the marquee team it could still provide "exposure" benefits. But in most cases unless a program is fat with cash it comes down to economics as well. I have had an age group that needed to be split and it costs more to fund two teams than one. It makes little sense to balance the teams, especially when the teams get into the 16U & 17U age groups. Most programs if they are not player funded will likely support the elite team in a different way financially.

 

So like most things in life the economics of the situation will likely play a role. If you can find a team that provides similar exposure opportunity, is as good as the "B" team of another program, and it would cost less to play then I would see the benefit to move to that team. Exposure, competitiveness and economics seem to be the most important variables, but coaching, individual development, and location could make belonging to a "B" team more attractive. Plus, some kids recognize they may not be as talented as it requires to be on the "elite" team, but are still good players that fit better on a "B" team without being upset about it.

If I was considering putting my kid on a "B" team I would want to know exactly what the difference in the A team and the B team would be. I've seen programs where the A team went to high exposure tournaments and the B team did not yet everyone was paying the same amount and some of the B team parents felt they were helping finance the A team. I would want to know if the A team was missing players for a weekend would one of the B team members be "moved up" thus hurting the performance of the B team. I would want to know if my child played very well would there be a chance of him being promoted to the A team. The AAU world can be a different one and parents need to ask lots of questions going in and know that nothing ever seems to be set in stone. I would have to think long and hard about having my son on a B team but it might be a good option for some.

 

I agree that people need to broaden their focus on college ball. I have son playing D2 and it has been a great experience so far and he is getting a great education paid in full. D2, NAIA, JUCO are all great options.

If I was considering putting my kid on a "B" team I would want to know exactly what the difference in the A team and the B team would be. I've seen programs where the A team went to high exposure tournaments and the B team did not yet everyone was paying the same amount and some of the B team parents felt they were helping finance the A team. I would want to know if the A team was missing players for a weekend would one of the B team members be "moved up" thus hurting the performance of the B team. I would want to know if my child played very well would there be a chance of him being promoted to the A team. The AAU world can be a different one and parents need to ask lots of questions going in and know that nothing ever seems to be set in stone. I would have to think long and hard about having my son on a B team but it might be a good option for some.

 

I agree that people need to broaden their focus on college ball. I have son playing D2 and it has been a great experience so far and he is getting a great education paid in full. D2, NAIA, JUCO are all great options.

 

Some great points!

I have to disagree that spring and summer ball is just about exposure. But if the kid and his family thinks that he is good enough to be on an "A" team, then they have options. Would the player and parent want to be placed on the A team and possibly not play as much? Or the B team and play a heck of a lot more?

 

But as has been stated, there are a number of teams that have more than one team per age group. And what also has been mentioned, if the player and parents do their homework before hand, they will know what tourneys a certain team will attend, be it a program with one team, one team per age group, or more than one team per age group.

It is undeniable that if you are playing U16 or U17 travel basketball you intentions are to earn a college scholarship. So the team you play for should most definitely be about exposure. Exposure for your son is all that you care about. The trick is finding the team where your son can not only play in the big events, but actually has the opportunity to showcase their talents and not be a glorified cheerleader for other players. As a parent, you also have to be realistic in what level of college program your son may be able to play for. As has been stated and I am well aware of, many student athletes earn free educations by playing for smaller teams. There will be more DII, DIII, and NAIA athletes come out of KY than DI year in and year out. It is also important to remember that it is your son's responsibility to continue to work on his individual game during this period. Big organizations and small teams alike have a difficult time practicing and when they do it is mainly team concepts and less fundamentals. That is the nature of the beast. It is next to impossible to play a competitive travel schedule and still train and practice on a regular basis. This may be one benefit to the smaller teams with local kids. You have to remember that AAU coaches coach teams. Trainers train individuals. Now, to answer your question. I would definitely place my son on a smaller team over a B team almost any day at the U16 or U17 level. I would confirm the schedule, the past and present of the group first, but in the end I am looking for my son to be the one getting the exposure. JMO.

It is undeniable that if you are playing U16 or U17 travel basketball you intentions are to earn a college scholarship. So the team you play for should most definitely be about exposure. Exposure for your son is all that you care about. The trick is finding the team where your son can not only play in the big events, but actually has the opportunity to showcase their talents and not be a glorified cheerleader for other players. As a parent, you also have to be realistic in what level of college program your son may be able to play for. As has been stated and I am well aware of, many student athletes earn free educations by playing for smaller teams. There will be more DII, DIII, and NAIA athletes come out of KY than DI year in and year out. It is also important to remember that it is your son's responsibility to continue to work on his individual game during this period. Big organizations and small teams alike have a difficult time practicing and when they do it is mainly team concepts and less fundamentals. That is the nature of the beast. It is next to impossible to play a competitive travel schedule and still train and practice on a regular basis. This may be one benefit to the smaller teams with local kids. You have to remember that AAU coaches coach teams. Trainers train individuals. Now, to answer your question. I would definitely place my son on a smaller team over a B team almost any day at the U16 or U17 level. I would confirm the schedule, the past and present of the group first, but in the end I am looking for my son to be the one getting the exposure. JMO.

 

I couldn't have said it better myself... I have seen more chaos occur at the 16U/17U levels then good when it comes to B teams. all around just a bad idea IMO and the B team kids ALWAYS wind up paying a lot more financially.... Those are also often the teams that are continually asked for money throughout the season even after paying their initial fee. SERIOUS AAU organizations are not about hoarding kids or making money. But to each his own, and those parents who choose to put their kids in those situations; more power to you. I for one want my child's team to be the primary focus in their age group and not placed on the back burner...

Some thoughts on Manny's post. As you said about parents (as well as players) being realistic. Some parents just don't want to be realistic with their kid and play along.

 

When we started in 1992 were about the first AAU "club team" in the state (before that it was the junior semi pro stuff). There were about 38 teams in the tourney in Franklin Co/ Frankfort, and we were the only "club team", all of the other teams were high school teams, It has become more of an issue in recent years with some parents not being realistic, many allow their kids to play for more than a couple teams per season, if they don't like the PT on one team, or how many times their kid touches the ball, or is able to shoot, then they go to another team the next week, then they do it again the following week. This just shows 1) they didn't do their homework 2) and/or they are not being realistic.

 

Not all players who play for even the big programs will go onto college to play ball, just look at an organization such as Shining Stars. But it happens everywhere, for a number of reasons. I am sure that you have seen this too, but I have had casual conversations with players and their coaches about upcoming tourneys, some were not even aware of a state tourney, or such tourneys as the Adidas tourney that used to be at UC, and these players and coaches were from this state or region.

 

I haven't coached in 2 years as I have been busy, but I still do things for FIBA and for Euro players, so I don't know if you still take your teams to Fort Wayne every summer? How could a coach not know of this tourney regardless if he intends to go to it or not? I am not sure how long you have been around, but it's been several years, I am sure you have seen it too where many teams will be around for a year, maybe 2, and some 3 years, then they are gone for good. Parents who want to coach their sons and many (not all) want to make their son the star, or people who want to coach and start teams, only to realize they do not have the time needed to put into it, or they decide that they don't want to coach anymore. About 3 years ago I had several parents contact me after a team folded. said that they were mislead about the upcoming year. You on the other hand, have been around awhile, so people pretty much know that you will still be hear and that you are not only coaching to get a son more minutes and more touches. That is one thing I would look for, who is this team and how long have they been around? Do I plan on my kid being on this team/program for 2 or 3 years? If so, will this team still be here in a year or two? If not, will they help my kid find a new team? Unfortunately the players/parents who contacted me a couple of years ago didn't have any help from the team that folded on finding a new team.

 

But as you and I both mentioned, the parents need to do their homework. People lie, and lie a lot, and their are some coaches I would not want to be around let alone letting kids be around them. Confirm the schedule of all of the teams in that organization and make sure that the team that your son is on will go to the tourneys that you expect them to attend. What do the cost cover? And what players/how many players a team has had that when on to play ball in college (and what division) really doesn't mean everything as some may think, as those players are not your son! Just because a team/organization has lets say 20+ past players play at D1 schools doesn't mean your son will play D1. I have had more than my fair share of players who went on to play college, some D1, but people shouldn't try to compare teams/organizations just based on this alone, again, as those players are not your son! Having said that, unless I decide to come back to coach (actually this week just turned down a very good deal to start my team up again, but I have other commitments) I would look at a team such as Mannys to send my son to, his team has been around long enough, they are fair, and honest people, who care about their players.

Edited February 20, 201511 yr by SportsGuy41017