so a team like the Louisville Magic don't deserve a top 5 ranking?

so a team like the Louisville Magic don't deserve a top 5 ranking?

 

No I do not. They can't beat programs like Each 1 Teach 1, Ny Rens, CP3, Team Loaded, etc.

Just because each of those teams have 5 DI players doesn't make them a better team. I'ce seen teams that doesn't have players that combine to be a 5 star go and beat or nearly beat teams like CP3 and other big AAU programs. Trust me I'm not saying teams like the Spartans or MATTS Mustangs have better players but the programs are well coached and the players develop because the programs actually have real practices. Also I'm not saying that no other programs do that. You asked for rankings in a previous post and I showed you the rankings, but those are not reliable enough for you. So I guess all programs in Kentucky suck.

I never asked for rankings. That was KyKing

 

The point of AAU is to get kids to college. Get them exposure they can't get through high school games.

 

AAU rankings are great but they don't get college paid for.

 

And you're being a bit dramatic by interpreting that all Kentucky teams must suck based on my comments. There are several good programs in the state. Just none that are top 5 or 10 nationally.

Sorry I thought you was the one that asked for rankings. I know rankings don't mean nothing and AAU is for exposure. So who are the good teams in the state?

The Louisville Spartans 17U Roster

 

Keshan Marshall Bardstown

Zeke Smith New Albany

Tyler Robinson New Albany

Connor Cline Madisonville North Hopkins

Cameron Merrick Rolling Hills

Austin Pollard Bullitt Central

Marcus McGee New Albany

Malcum Graves New Albany

D'Samuel Butler Male

Jordan Armstrong Shelby County

Aris Morris PRP

Trey Kearney Bullitt Central

Malcum Graves Rock Creek Academy

Let's be real and understand the "goal" of the particular basketball programs. For programs, like the Shoe-Sponsored teams, they are trying to get their kids national exposure for D1 recruiting at the college level. They recruit kids from all over the state, have fewer practices, and show up to play the bigger exposure events. Coaches aren't necessarily "developing" these kids. I am sure some coaches will take exception to this characterization, but if you listen to the elite college coaches talk, they will comment on the extreme athleticism of these kids, but their basketball "skills" aren't as developed. How many times has Cal said things like, 'my kids are playing this like an aau game.....' That isnt a complimentary statement.

 

Other programs are trying to develop kids. Their teams are formed with 'local' kids, and they practice on a regular basis. They run half-court offense, they stress fundamentals. They play in some nice tournaments, but they aren't the cream of the crop venues. They play in the tournaments that attract D2/D3/NAIA coaches. There is nothing wrong with that. These tournaments have their own rankings and they are legit.

 

Then, there is a 3rd tier of programs & tournaments where the likelihood of these kids playing college basketball isn't very good. And, these setups and programs are fine too. The competition is good. The skills are just a notch below the 2nd tier programs; and there is nothing wrong with this either.

 

Every kid is not a Tier 1 player. If you aren't 6'2" +, it is hard to be in that tier. If you aren't super athletic it is tough to be in that tier. That' fine.

 

I like these rankings that are consistent with the teams and the level that they are aspiring to be. As an example, (and I have never seen Louisville Spartans), but are they trying to compete with the teams that recruit kids from entire states or regions of the country? Maybe not, and if they play in events with teams that are local or regional, more power to them. Developing kids and playing their level of competition is fine. To play on the shoe-sponsored tours, you better have big athletic guys that can finish at the rim. And, you better have the best 10 kids in your state, or the surrounding states.

 

There is a lot to be said for teams that develop their players, and utilize the skill sets that they have. That comes from actually "coaching", developing your talent, and putting your kids in positions to compete.

 

While other coaches have a different motive, which is fine too. They are trying to recruit the best players, and showcase those talents in front of the largest audience. That is fine too for the top players. But, it doesnt work for the next tier of kids.

 

So - hats off to all these programs. Whatever their goal is for their basketball team. But don't knock a program that has a National ranking for the environments that they compete in.

Nice post.

16U & 15U Nike EYBL is not really the same as 17U NIke EYBL (imo). So are these really just Nike dressed teams? And KY lost its' official Nike EYBL team?

 

That's a shame if they did. They competed very well with the best in the country the last several years from what I heard.

That's a shame if they did. They competed very well with the best in the country the last several years from what I heard.

 

They made the Peach Jam their first 2 years in Kentucky. Unfortunately they really struggled last year and went something like 3-20 in EYBL. They are playing 15u and 16u this year with the opportunity to earn back a deal for 17u next season.

So the first weekend is done and we still don't have any official rosters from any AAU teams?

Here is the roster for the 17u Kentucky Premier-Hawkins team:

 

44 JC Hawkins

24 Reed Bradfield

2 Austin Crawford

10 Hunter Meyer

42 Spencer Hemmerich

33 Trey Wurtz

1 Timmy Cottrell

5 Cole Hegyi

13 Akeem Riley

Which teams will be attending the Bearcat Classic this weekend?

From PP92's other thread:

 

Hoop Dreams 16U roster this weekend:

 

Clint Wickliffe

Tae Calloway

Will Bramel

Justin Miller

Andrew Taylor

Eric Powell

Cobe Penny

Mikel Dawson

Jacob Taylor

Mickey Pearson

Dontaie Allen

 

Add 6'9 Dalton Perkins from Mason County and I'd say that's their roster.

 

But I also believe the AAU trading season just started. Waiver claims coming soon.