AAU is where the majority of the players get coaches attention. Not playing on a good team and attending the big tournaments dramatically decrease the looks from college coaches. Getting into the platinum/Gold brackets and going deep in the tournaments just increase the looks the players will get. Also being on the teams with the so called "Elite" players brings the coaches to those games first.

 

Since the NCAA is not allowing college coaches attend tournaments in April and May, the month of July is crucial! Playing with a good AAU team and attending NCAA Certified tournaments like the Adids "It Takes 5ive", the Hoopfest, Harley Davidison Hoop Group Classic, Adidas "Mid-summer Classic, and Vegas or Orlando gets these boys a ton of looks. For those that are performing well, they will get offers and invites during the month of July and August and eary fall.

 

The Senior to-be division 17U is the most important group because it's their last year to be seen by the hundreds of coaches that attend these events. I talk to a-lot of coaches and this is where they see the players and do most of their evaluating. These events have the D-1, D-1 Mid-Major, D-2 and top NAIA program coaches in attendance.

 

From what I've seen, there are only two programs that consistently put their team or teams in these venues, that's Shinging Star Sports and Derek Smith Allstars. I will guaranty a "higher percentage" of the players that play with these two organizations will play at the next level for free, when compared to the players that don't play for them. Now there are other teams that may attend these events, but as far as consistency from year to year, these are the two KY organizations that are usually there.

 

The elite players are already on the coaches "radars" the one's that really benefit from these events are the very good players that are not considered "elite" or major D-1 material.

 

Most of the time if you see college coaches at a high school event, it's because they already have a player that they are interested in and they came to specifically watch that player. Even at a huge tournament like the "King of the Bluegrass", LIT or the event at Marshall Co. you don't see hundreds of coaches there evaluating and recruiting. JMO

:notworthy::ylsuper:

NCSA will also tell you that as a player you have to sell yourself, and that recruiters very rarely recruit outside of their intentions. IMO playing with a well known organization that plays in the top notch events definately gives you a better chance to be seen.

AAU is where the majority of the players get coaches attention. Not playing on a good team and attending the big tournaments dramatically decrease the looks from college coaches. Getting into the platinum/Gold brackets and going deep in the tournaments just increase the looks the players will get. Also being on the teams with the so called "Elite" players brings the coaches to those games first.

 

Since the NCAA is not allowing college coaches attend tournaments in April and May, the month of July is crucial! Playing with a good AAU team and attending NCAA Certified tournaments like the Adids "It Takes 5ive", the Hoopfest, Harley Davidison Hoop Group Classic, Adidas "Mid-summer Classic, and Vegas or Orlando gets these boys a ton of looks. For those that are performing well, they will get offers and invites during the month of July and August and eary fall.

 

The Senior to-be division 17U is the most important group because it's their last year to be seen by the hundreds of coaches that attend these events. I talk to a-lot of coaches and this is where they see the players and do most of their evaluating. These events have the D-1, D-1 Mid-Major, D-2 and top NAIA program coaches in attendance.

 

From what I've seen, there are only two KY programs that consistently put their team or teams in these venues, that's Shinging Star Sports and Derek Smith Allstars. I will guaranty a "higher percentage" of the players that play with these two organizations will play at the next level for free, when compared to the players that don't play for them. Now there are other teams that may attend these events, but as far as consistency from year to year, these are the two KY organizations that are usually there.

 

The elite players are already on the coaches "radars" the one's that really benefit from these events are the very good players that are not considered "elite" or major D-1 material.

 

Most of the time if you see college coaches at a high school event, it's because they already have a player that they are interested in and they came to specifically watch that player. Even at a huge tournament like the "King of the Bluegrass", LIT or the event at Marshall Co. you don't see hundreds of coaches there evaluating and recruiting. JMO

 

This is not just your opinion, you are stating some very solid facts and I do not intend to disagree with all that you have said. I don't believe the intention was to dig up the whole argument over which teams garner more exposure, but to express an opinion of what the Holmes players need to do to solidify them a chance to play at the next level. My comments were that they should continue to put in work and stay where they are. This was based on the fact that they are rising seniors that have about (10) days of AAU evaluation left. If their original team is not playing, more power to them to find another one to play on, but to jump on board with another program this late in the period seems ludacris.

This is not just your opinion, you are stating some very solid facts and I do not intend to disagree with all that you have said. I don't believe the intention was to dig up the whole argument over which teams garner more exposure, but to express an opinion of what the Holmes players need to do to solidify them a chance to play at the next level. My comments were that they should continue to put in work and stay where they are. This was based on the fact that they are rising seniors that have about (10) days of AAU evaluation left. If their original team is not playing, more power to them to find another one to play on, but to jump on board with another program this late in the period seems ludacris.

 

I would imagine they are already on someone else's roster for either Orlando or Vegas. If not, it's too late. Those events start next week.

AAU is where the majority of the players get coaches attention. Not playing on a good team and attending the big tournaments dramatically decrease the looks from college coaches. Getting into the platinum/Gold brackets and going deep in the tournaments just increase the looks the players will get. Also being on the teams with the so called "Elite" players brings the coaches to those games first.

 

Since the NCAA is not allowing college coaches attend tournaments in April and May, the month of July is crucial! Playing with a good AAU team and attending NCAA Certified tournaments like the Adids "It Takes 5ive", the Hoopfest, Harley Davidison Hoop Group Classic, Adidas "Mid-summer Classic, and Vegas or Orlando gets these boys a ton of looks. For those that are performing well, they will get offers and invites during the month of July and August and eary fall.

 

The Senior to-be division 17U is the most important group because it's their last year to be seen by the hundreds of coaches that attend these events. I talk to a-lot of coaches and this is where they see the players and do most of their evaluating. These events have the D-1, D-1 Mid-Major, D-2 and top NAIA program coaches in attendance.

 

From what I've seen, there are only two KY programs that consistently put their team or teams in these venues, that's Shinging Star Sports and Derek Smith Allstars. I will guaranty a "higher percentage" of the players that play with these two organizations will play at the next level for free, when compared to the players that don't play for them. Now there are other teams that may attend these events, but as far as consistency from year to year, these are the two KY organizations that are usually there.

 

The elite players are already on the coaches "radars" the one's that really benefit from these events are the very good players that are not considered "elite" or major D-1 material.

 

Most of the time if you see college coaches at a high school event, it's because they already have a player that they are interested in and they came to specifically watch that player. Even at a huge tournament like the "King of the Bluegrass", LIT or the event at Marshall Co. you don't see hundreds of coaches there evaluating and recruiting. JMO

 

I agree with your assessment, which is what the problem is. You are correct, going to these high profile NCAA certified events are important for exposure, especially the 17U group. What bothers me about this is that in order to play for some of these elite teams, like Shining Stars and Derek Smith as you mentioned, players have to have some MONEY! I know that SS charges at least $500 just to join the team and then you have the uniform and shoes that are another $200, plus the cost of hotels, food, transportation when you travel. This adds up and unfortunately, there are some kids who cannot play because of the money or transportation issues. Because of that, some kids stay with the local teams and play when they can. They may not get as much exposure as they would playing in some of the big tourneys, but at least they are playing somewhere!

 

I don't know what Ricardo and Pittman's situation is, and it is none of my business to know, but it probably is not as simple as "changing AAU teams". Sometimes there are other obstacles to overcome and I am sure they are doing what is best for their situation. Plus, with their talent, they will not have any problem getting noticed during school ball with Holmes.

What I don't understand is why do these powerhouse organizations always need players? Do they never have a set roster? If they do not, then do they pro rate how much a person pays for each tournament that they play with a particular organization? Are these teams fully funded groups that can pick and choose who to have and when? If I have a good week then I can play, but if I have a bad week I can get cut for who is hot at the time. These are just questions because I don't understand.

The kids that play with the K-Y Players like playing under Coach Bruce they are very loyal to him. He on many occasions has told them they can play with who they want but the players refuse to be separated. Alot of the teams just want certain players and the kids wont leave without taking everyone with them. Coach Bruce has to come up with the funds by him self for them to participate in the tourneys that they play in because he refuses to charge the players any money to be a part of the team. He has tried to get sponsors to help and only a hand full have and the kids realize this. Everyone talks about why they wont leave him it because no one wants to help them off the court like he does it is not just about basketball with him he cares about them when no body wants to listen to them. The players trust him because they have been with him since they were ten years old Everyone hopped on the bandwagon when they won the state title but no one wants to help as far as sponsoring his team fully. And yes some played for the Queen City Prophets last year in Orlando but that was because Coach Bruce went with them else they would not have went thats how much love they have for him.

How good will HOLMES be this coming season?

I agree with your assessment, which is what the problem is. You are correct, going to these high profile NCAA certified events are important for exposure, especially the 17U group. What bothers me about this is that in order to play for some of these elite teams, like Shining Stars and Derek Smith as you mentioned, players have to have some MONEY! I know that SS charges at least $500 just to join the team and then you have the uniform and shoes that are another $200, plus the cost of hotels, food, transportation when you travel. This adds up and unfortunately, there are some kids who cannot play because of the money or transportation issues. Because of that, some kids stay with the local teams and play when they can. They may not get as much exposure as they would playing in some of the big tourneys, but at least they are playing somewhere!

 

I don't know what Ricardo and Pittman's situation is, and it is none of my business to know, but it probably is not as simple as "changing AAU teams". Sometimes there are other obstacles to overcome and I am sure they are doing what is best for their situation. Plus, with their talent, they will not have any problem getting noticed during school ball with Holmes.

 

The last team that I know did not have to pay anything, ie. hotel, uni's, shoes, transportation etc was the KY Patriots when they played for the Adidas Ohio Basketball club.

 

No-one in KY has a full sponsorship from Adidas, Nike, Reebok etc.

 

Eddie Ford had a sponsorship with Nike but he does not have it anymore. Even when he had it he charged the kids 2,000 to play on that team. I know some had to pay 2,000, some had to pay 1,500, some had to pay 1,000 some 500 and some were free. It just depended how good you were and how bad he wanted you on the team.

The last team that I know did not have to pay anything, ie. hotel, uni's, shoes, transportation etc was the KY Patriots when they played for the Adidas Ohio Basketball club.

 

No-one in KY has a full sponsorship from Adidas, Nike, Reebok etc.

 

Eddie Ford had a sponsorship with Nike but he does not have it anymore. Even when he had it he charged the kids 2,000 to play on that team. I know some had to pay 2,000, some had to pay 1,500, some had to pay 1,000 some 500 and some were free. It just depended how good you were and how bad he wanted you on the team.

 

Are we talking amateur basketball here?

How good will HOLMES be this coming season?

 

They will be the heavy favorites to win the 9th region and probably to win the state again. No one in the 9th really has the talent to match-up with them and the only team that I think has any chance against them is Highlands.

Averys AAU coach told me that he is going to holmes.

The kids that play with the K-Y Players like playing under Coach Bruce they are very loyal to him. He on many occasions has told them they can play with who they want but the players refuse to be separated. Alot of the teams just want certain players and the kids wont leave without taking everyone with them. Coach Bruce has to come up with the funds by him self for them to participate in the tourneys that they play in because he refuses to charge the players any money to be a part of the team. He has tried to get sponsors to help and only a hand full have and the kids realize this. Everyone talks about why they wont leave him it because no one wants to help them off the court like he does it is not just about basketball with him he cares about them when no body wants to listen to them. The players trust him because they have been with him since they were ten years old Everyone hopped on the bandwagon when they won the state title but no one wants to help as far as sponsoring his team fully. And yes some played for the Queen City Prophets last year in Orlando but that was because Coach Bruce went with them else they would not have went thats how much love they have for him.

 

You are completely right on all points. They are very Loyal to Coach Bruce, because of all the stuff he does for them off the court. I'm not saying he not a good coach, but they need someone that will preach fundamentals and will help them get ready for college. They probably could get sponsored if they became a little more organized.

 

The Johnson Brothers and Pittman could go play for any team in Ky for free gurantee it. When your that good, the organizations like DS and SS will look past all the costs to play. Its happened before. I think its too late for them to change teams now. If they were going to change at all, it should have been last year. They have nationals and then they are done. They do play a very hard schedule for HS ball, so they can get exposure from that also.

They will be the heavy favorites to win the 9th region and probably to win the state again. No one in the 9th really has the talent to match-up with them and the only team that I think has any chance against them is Highlands.

 

Agreed. :thumb:

The bottom line is that Holmes won State last year on the BIG STAGE and will contend AND have a high profile schedule this year. Ricardo, JJ, & Elijah will be on stage all year and scouts will be there to see them, regardless of AAU affiliation.

BTW, the boys will be playing in Orlando and "THEY" will be watching them.

 

Holmes will be the 9th region favorite followed by Highlands, then Boone. Don't kid yourself, it won't be easy for anyone this year.