There is a problem with all of this. Who cares about AAU especially when college coaches can not even come and watch during May. I could see if it was July and the kids had to make a decision about what they were going to do, because they needed to be seen by specific colleges etc. However in May, and you have a chance to represent your state or play in a glorified pick up tournament with no meaning. Whoppdy do, I won the state AAU championship, or I am one of the best 12 juniors in the state and will represent my state this summer and help get our seniors ready for their game with Indiana. However this is the way players and adults who know basketball should be looking at things. That is the problem with our state teams now, and the state of the game in Kentucky.

Well, a lot of people/players do care about their spring and summer teams, as all of the players who were playing that Sunday afternoon in the State AAU tourney did not show up! They put their TEAM first! The only players who did show up either did not play on a team or their team was already eliminated from the state tourney. The players made a commitment early to play with these teams and they stuck to it.

 

I am pretty sure that it is only D-1 coaches who have to wait until July to watch players, if I am not mistaken the new rule does not apply to other divisions or NAIA, as it went into effect after a vote during the Division I Legislative Forum in mid January.

Edited May 26, 200917 yr by SportsGuy41017

I personally do not think the players who didn't show up don't care much about this event. I mean how important is it? You get to scrimmage the senior all star team and be able to call yourself an allstar, big deal.

There is a problem with all of this. Who cares about AAU especially when college coaches can not even come and watch during May. I could see if it was July and the kids had to make a decision about what they were going to do, because they needed to be seen by specific colleges etc. However in May, and you have a chance to represent your state or play in a glorified pick up tournament with no meaning. Whoppdy do, I won the state AAU championship, or I am one of the best 12 juniors in the state and will represent my state this summer and help get our seniors ready for their game with Indiana. However this is the way players and adults who know basketball should be looking at things. That is the problem with our state teams now, and the state of the game in Kentucky.

 

Those glorified pick-up games have reduced the high school games to an after thought for a lot of the college recruiters. They would much rather see a kid play against similar talent then watch them hang up 30 on a bunch of high school kids who can't play a lick.

 

Again, one can argue over school ball vs. AAU all night but the point is, the organizers should put the interests of the kids first and they didn't do that in this case!!

Those glorified pick-up games have reduced the high school games to an after thought for a lot of the college recruiters. They would much rather see a kid play against similar talent then watch them hang up 30 on a bunch of high school kids who can't play a lick.

 

Again, one can argue over school ball vs. AAU all night but the point is, the organizers should put the interests of the kids first and they didn't do that in this case!!

 

Not Calipari. Hes talked about how he doesn't enjoy it. AAU has created an easy way to see kids, but because there is very little chances to practice and IMO the majority (but not all, there are some pretty good ones) of AAU coaches aren't very good coaches. Teams don't play very good defense and its basically a 1 on 1 game.

He can say what he wants( and I venture he is being politically correct to keep from offending the high school coaches) but I can tell you Calipari and the rest of the coaches make their decisions almost entirely on how a kid plays during the AAU season.

 

They show up for the high school games simply to let the kid's see them and know their interest level!

 

I just don't think you can tell much of anything when, 90% of the time, a division I prospect at 6'4" and athletic is abusing a bunch of average 6'0" players on the court in a high school game.

 

Also, case in point, you can't tell me that Jon Hood got an offer from UK because of his high school career!!

He can say what he wants( and I venture he is being politically correct to keep from offending the high school coaches) but I can tell you Calipari and the rest of the coaches make their decisions almost entirely on how a kid plays during the AAU season.

 

They show up for the high school games simply to let the kid's see them and know their interest level!

 

I just don't think you can tell much of anything when, 90% of the time, a division I prospect at 6'4" and athletic is abusing a bunch of average 6'0" players on the court in a high school game.

 

Also, case in point, you can't tell me that Jon Hood got an offer from UK because of his high school career!!

 

I disagree completely. Calipari said he basically goes to AAU events to wave at players hes recruiting and let them know he is there. If you look at most of the big prospects they are on teams that play a tough schedule. In Kentucky you will see LexCath, Scott Co, Ballard, Clark Co, and other big programs play tough competition, particularly when they have great prospects. Across America good players play against good competition and IMO most of the best coaches look more at that than an AAU event.

He can say what he wants( and I venture he is being politically correct to keep from offending the high school coaches) but I can tell you Calipari and the rest of the coaches make their decisions almost entirely on how a kid plays during the AAU season.

 

They show up for the high school games simply to let the kid's see them and know their interest level!

 

I just don't think you can tell much of anything when, 90% of the time, a division I prospect at 6'4" and athletic is abusing a bunch of average 6'0" players on the court in a high school game.

 

Also, case in point, you can't tell me that Jon Hood got an offer from UK because of his high school career!!

 

Disagree with that. I have a player being recruited and almost all the coaches that I talk to says they would rather see a game tape of them playing with their HS team than seeing them play with their AAU team. They said they get a better feel of how he is going to play.

After going to the "real deal on the hill" last year and speaking with several college coaches, here is what they had to say. The aau events allow them to see several players they may not be aware of. Then they like to see them practice and hopefully see them play with their high school team or get a film.

After going to the "real deal on the hill" last year and speaking with several college coaches, here is what they had to say. The aau events allow them to see several players they may not be aware of. Then they like to see them practice and hopefully see them play with their high school team or get a film.

 

Did you go this year too?

So let me ask everyone's opinion, do you think kids get on the coaches list from their high school performance or AAU?

 

I think once a kid is identified, they want to look at all aspects, including high school, and in all game situations but I still think they get identified in this day 90% of the time from their AAU performances.

So let me ask everyone's opinion, do you think kids get on the coaches list from their high school performance or AAU?

 

I think once a kid is identified, they want to look at all aspects, including high school, and in all game situations but I still think they get identified in this day 90% of the time from their AAU performances.

 

I think the AAU can help get a kid on the radar that plays for a lower profile high school. Some kids get offered through AAU. but I believe the high school performance still weighs very heavily.

So let me ask everyone's opinion, do you think kids get on the coaches list from their high school performance or AAU?

 

I think once a kid is identified, they want to look at all aspects, including high school, and in all game situations but I still think they get identified in this day 90% of the time from their AAU performances.

 

Well the answer isn't black and white. If you are playing for a big high school program then I believe kids are noticed more than in AAU. Your teams like the ones I have mentioned along with Warren Central, Mason Co, and even your big mountain programs. But when you look at for example, the boys from Elliott Co, AAU did really help them get attention more so than playing for Elliott Co. until this year when they played a much tougher schedule and were noticed more.

First I would like to congratulate the players that made the team!

 

Now, I'd like to say that the whole process was an absolute JOKE! How can you schedule the tryouts during the AAU state championships. You are asking the kids that play AAU to leave their teammates and miss the semis or final game of a state championship in order to achieve their own personal gain.

 

I take my hat off to all those kids for showing the class, in not leaving their teammates and coaches, that the organizers of the tryouts failed to show!

 

The high school coaches have to wake up and realize that the AAU season is as important, if not more, than the high school season and the kids should be given every opportunity to excel in both venues.

 

Again, congrats to those who made the team and hopefully there will be someone with some common sense planning the tryouts next year!!

 

Last year 15 players were chosen to scrimmage 2 games against the seniors.

This year coaches wanted a try out to start a system and be able to identify players in advance. Players also were filmed for college coaches recognition. Three major college coaches and four others have already requested film.

Next years plans are to have a similiar workout to Indiana's and to have a one game series against Indiana's Juniors. Seems to be a process headed in the right direction but with some growing pains.

Last year 15 players were chosen to scrimmage 2 games against the seniors.

This year coaches wanted a try out to start a system and be able to identify players in advance. Players also were filmed for college coaches recognition. Three major college coaches and four others have already requested film.

Next years plans are to have a similiar workout to Indiana's and to have a one game series against Indiana's Juniors. Seems to be a process headed in the right direction but with some growing pains.

 

What are the process and criteria for nominating and/or selecting those who can try out? How many/which coaches participate? Is there a limit of players per region?