Do you think coaches will be at the Summitt or have they already made plans elsewhere?

 

Coaches will be there if the right players and or programs are there. At this point in the summer coaches aren't showing up just to look for new talent. They are following guys they are interested in and looking at guys from the top programs who they may be interested in.

 

Best thing that can happen to teams in July is to get matched against a high profile player or program. If you go to the right events in July (events that typically draw some of the top programs from big AAU states) you will get "exposure" at some point .

 

You are rolling the dice with events like the KBA event if you are looking for D-I or D-II exposure. May get it, but likely those coaches will be other places.

Coaches will be there if the right players and or programs are there. At this point in the summer coaches aren't showing up just to look for new talent. They are following guys they are interested in and looking at guys from the top programs who they may be interested in.

 

Best thing that can happen to teams in July is to get matched against a high profile player or program. If you go to the right events in July (events that typically draw some of the top programs from big AAU states) you will get "exposure" at some point .

 

You are rolling the dice with events like the KBA event if you are looking for D-I or D-II exposure. May get it, but likely those coaches will be other places.

 

Not true.... There are only about 2 other Tournaments in the South and Midwest that take place during this live period that are well known for bringing out college coaches. Both those Tournaments are taking place between a 4-7 hour drive away from KY depending on where you live. For many regional AAU teams as well as D1 coaches, KBA is a better option because in July many AAU programs as well as D1 coaches struggle to find quality tournaments that are somewhat close. KBA has provided a viable option... Let's not forget that Colleges have a recruiting budget as well that they have to abide by. They also have assistant coaches that they send to many locations to recruit for them.

One big thing that was missed in your statement as well is that Colleges follow PLAYERS not just TEAMS. There are going to be many athletes with D1 offers coming to the event at KBA; thus attracting many D1 programs to attend as well. The last thing a coach wants is for a kid they are heavily recruiting to not see them at an event during the Summer Live period.

 

Lastly, Tom did an OUTSTANDING job with hosting the EYBL event at KBA earlier in the Spring. He has established it as the primary location for high level basketball in the State. Many AAU programs and college coaches around the KY, OH, IN, TN, and VA areas recognize that and will be in attendance because of it. I have no doubt that this event will be loaded with talent, and many low to high D1 as well as some D2 coaches. Let's not look a gift horse in the mouth... I would suggest programs not waste thousands of dollars traveling to a Tournament that's Further away just to say you went, but to save your travel expenses to go to a quality Event right in their Back Yard.

Not true.... There are only about 2 other Tournaments in the South and Midwest that take place during this live period that are well known for bringing out college coaches. Both those Tournaments are taking place between a 4-7 hour drive away from KY depending on where you live. For many regional AAU teams as well as D1 coaches, KBA is a better option because in July many AAU programs as well as D1 coaches struggle to find quality tournaments that are somewhat close. KBA has provided a viable option... Let's not forget that Colleges have a recruiting budget as well that they have to abide by. They also have assistant coaches that they send to many locations to recruit for them.

One big thing that was missed in your statement as well is that Colleges follow PLAYERS not just TEAMS. There are going to be many athletes with D1 offers coming to the event at KBA; thus attracting many D1 programs to attend as well. The last thing a coach wants is for a kid they are heavily recruiting to not see them at an event during the Summer Live period.

 

Lastly, Tom did an OUTSTANDING job with hosting the EYBL event at KBA earlier in the Spring. He has established it as the primary location for high level basketball in the State. Many AAU programs and college coaches around the KY, OH, IN, TN, and VA areas recognize that and will be in attendance because of it. I have no doubt that this event will be loaded with talent, and many low to high D1 as well as some D2 coaches. Let's not look a gift horse in the mouth... I would suggest programs not waste thousands of dollars traveling to a Tournament that's Further away just to say you went, but to save your travel expenses to go to a quality Event right in their Back Yard.

 

What other teams with D1 players are committed?

 

Manimal and Corey Brewer will be in Atlanta for the UA finals.

I'm almost sure this is not a new thing. Seems to me Nike started this a couple years ago, and it's a great idea to keep all their teams on their circuit and ensure all of them have a chance at the "Peach Jam exposure".

 

Sorry, I did not mean this event was a new event as it has been around for a few years. My understanding is there have been some tweaks to it this season as Nike has done for the 16U EYBL circuit. They are making their events more exclusive and putting some of the same structure to 16U that has existed for 17U. I had heard that the EYI is now a requirement for Nike EYBL teams, regardless if you make Peach Jam or not teams must be in Augusta during this first live period if they want to stay in good favor with Nike who funds their programs.

So there will be 3 big tournaments in Aguata (Peach Jam, Peach State, & EYI)? If that is the case, that is more bang for the buck. I also assume they would be in Louisville for AAU Nationals later that month.

So there will be 3 big tournaments in Aguata (Peach Jam, Peach State, & EYI)? If that is the case, that is more bang for the buck. I also assume they would be in Louisville for AAU Nationals later that month.

 

There has also been a big JUCO showcase in the area as well the past few years. 4 events and the UA Finals in Atlanta makes for a very busy week of scouting...

Not sure if has been mentioned but the Peach Jam has been moved to the first recruiting weekend this time, July 8-12. The UA finals is still 15-19 in atlanta.

Not sure if has been mentioned but the Peach Jam has been moved to the first recruiting weekend this time, July 8-12. The UA finals is still 15-19 in atlanta.

 

Correct Heat Check and Nike moved the EYI to the 1st weekend as well as those two events are aligned and schedule coordinated since both are under Nike flag. The Peach State traditionally was held at the same time by the event coordinators as they could piggyback on the dates the Peach Jam was held to count on college coaches to make the trip over to their facilities. It will be interesting to see if they move their dates to mirror the Peach Jam again or just hold their event as scheduled for the 2nd week. Nike made a late schedule change to move to the 1st week of live period for who knows what reason.

Rumor has it the EYI didn't get certified, and if true college coaches will not be allowed to watch...

Rumor has it the EYI didn't get certified, and if true college coaches will not be allowed to watch...

 

If true, that's a huge blow to Nike.

Just saw the official list and the EYI is not certified. College coaches will not be able to attend the event...

They aren't having it.

They aren't having it.

 

Now we know why...

They aren't having it.

 

Yes, a Nike program whose name will go unmentioned that was the event organizer failed to get the paperwork in to the NCAA in a proper or timely fashion as I understand it. It was a heavyweight Nike program, but obviously their mistake made it a less than desirable situation for Nike. Nike has been working to place their impacted programs in a suitable NCAA certified event based on region and other factors. For instance the Travelers (16U & 17U) are attending the Best of the South live event held in the Atlanta area at the Suwanee Sports Academy.

 

This is the facility and event organizer where the Nike Memorial Day Classic is held each year. It is also 4 miles from North Gwinnett High School where the Adidas Uprising Gauntlet Finals are being held with the Top 16 Adidas teams from the 16U & 17U Adidas Gauntlet. Since the events are being held nearby and over the same period it worked out pretty well as to compared to what could have been a disaster as pointed out. It will not be a Nike exclusive event as the EYI was intended, but this event had over 120 teams from solid grassroots programs last year and is said to be growing.

 

It is a case of taking the lemon and making lemonade. Not sure if any other KY based team is going there or not.

For instance the Travelers (16U & 17U) are attending the Best of the South live event held in the Atlanta area at the Suwanee Sports Academy.

 

This is the facility and event organizer where the Nike Memorial Day Classic is held each year.

 

You would make things a lot easier if you didn't post stuff like this. The people that run SSA (see Justin Young) have no input on the Nike MDC field. They do host the event, but are not involved in any portion of the MDC other than that.

It is a Georgia Stars run tournament...