Obviously you are probably an AAU coach or involved in AAU. I think in general it has not been good for the game of basketball. That is my opinion and you can say whatever you want about it. I am a big fan of basketball in Kentucky. I choose to go to a lot of high school games. I live in Lexington so I see a lot of 11th region games and also a lot of 13th region games. I attend the state AAU tournament every year in early May to see most of the good players in the state. Ive also attended some bigger events in Cinncinatti and Louisville. The intensity in an AAU game simply does not compare to that of a high school game. I like hearing about guys like Stephon Curry who didn't play AAU and was a top 10 draft pick this year. He spent his time developing fundamentals.

 

We will just have to agree to disagree. We have gotten way off topic so if I can manage I am going to try not to discuss this again in the thread.

 

I think you'll find you are in the minority in your opinion. There are some players who are still very good without playing AAU ball, but most of the best players do play AAU. I know AAU coaches who devote a lot of time to helping players with individual development outside of AAU practices.

 

I understand how certain high school coaches could be against AAU ball because they are no longer the only coaches/means for players to learn basketball from, improve their skills, and get good basketball experience. AAU also reduces the amount of time during the year that high school coaches can spend with their players.

 

To say that AAU teaches bad habits and that AAU players don't play hard is a gross overgeneralization and is just perpetuating a stereotype. There are plenty of high school players in the same category. I think high school coaches who realize that AAU can help improve their players and are open to their players being involved with it are better off.

 

Most high school team's starters and best players are almost always kids who have played AAU, and some for several years. Some examples are Scott County, Shelby Valley, Holmes, Boone County, Manual, Mason County, Highlands, Clark Co., Eastern, Trinity, J-town, etc. For Scott Co., Euton, Jackson, Guyn, and Flannery all developed many of their skills in AAU ball over the years.

I think you'll find you are in the minority in your opinion. There are some players who are still very good without playing AAU ball, but most of the best players do play AAU. I know AAU coaches who devote a lot of time to helping players with individual development outside of AAU practices.

 

I understand how certain high school coaches could be against AAU ball because they are no longer the only coaches/means for players to learn basketball from, improve their skills, and get good basketball experience. AAU also reduces the amount of time during the year that high school coaches can spend with their players.

 

To say that AAU teaches bad habits and that AAU players don't play hard is a gross overgeneralization and is just perpetuating a stereotype. There are plenty of high school players in the same category. I think high school coaches who realize that AAU can help improve their players and are open to their players being involved with it are better off.

 

Most high school team's starters and best players are almost always kids who have played AAU, and some for several years. Some examples are Scott County, Shelby Valley, Holmes, Boone County, Manual, Mason County, Highlands, Clark Co., Eastern, Trinity, J-town, etc. For Scott Co., Euton, Jackson, Guyn, and Flannery all developed many of their skills in AAU ball over the years.

 

How can you develop skills without practicing? I would guess most AAU teams may have 10 practices a year. There just isn't an opportunity to practice particularly with how spread out players are. AAU gives players a great chance to play a lot of games and be seen. But its not something that develops players IMO. Players do get much better by simply playing, but there is a lot of other aspects to it as well.

Players will improve simply by playing against better competition.

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How can you develop skills without practicing? I would guess most AAU teams may have 10 practices a year. There just isn't an opportunity to practice particularly with how spread out players are. AAU gives players a great chance to play a lot of games and be seen. But its not something that develops players IMO. Players do get much better by simply playing, but there is a lot of other aspects to it as well.

 

Players on older teams probably don't practice as much. But I've seen middle school teams practice several times a week.

 

Better competition raises players skill levels. Many AAU players can actually "coast" more in high school games because the level of competition from team to team is not as high as AAU.

I believe that Jackson got offers from Xavier and W. Virginia via AAU ball as a freshman. I think one or more of these offers came directly after the Adidas it Takes 5 AAU tournament. Ricardo may not be flashy, but he is very good. I believe good coaches will notice talented players in AAU, even if they are unselfish. Vee Sanford played for the Shining Stars. I bet that Georgetown first found out about him and became interested through an AAU tournament. I think those are all excellent players. How could they not be noticed in AAU? If I'm not mistaken, Phares played for Derek Smith and had offers as a result of his play with them.

 

I don't agree that AAU is a polar opposite from all college teams. It really depends on the college's preferred style of play. For example, there are a lot of players taking their man off the dribble and attacking the basket or kicking out to 3-point shooters in AAU. Some colleges also have this style (even if they aren't always big colleges), and they look for players with these qualities who fit that type of system.

 

Some player's skills are more suited to and and highlighted by AAU ball's faster, open game, while others stand out in a defensive or more deliberate, slower-paced, half court game like many high schools play. Most high schools don't have the number of good athletes and depth to play consistently at a fast pace like an AAU team does. I think there is more variety in college. There are certainly teams like the old Loyola Marymount team and UNLV teams who prefer the fast pace, high scoring games and to try to outscore their opponents by scoring 80+ a game instead of trying to win by holding their opponent to the 50s every game.

 

It's fun to debate. In the end the college coaches pick the best players (except the tall ones solely picked on potential), regardless of whether they see them in high school or AAU.

 

I agree with you here. I think it really depends on the college team and that coaches preferred style of play. The slow paced, half court game of high school can take away, or not showcase the ability of some kids. AAU can bring those talents and potential to the surface. If anything, I think the half court set up of high school ball, hurts the athletes (or, doesnt show their abilities) like AAU can.

 

Plus, the AAU scene is crawling with coaches and scouts, you dont see that as much anymore in high school. Most of the recruiting takes place in the AAU arenas.

 

I have seen AAU teams run many different types of offenses, I think the coach has to know the type of players he has. The coach has to utilize his players talents and potential. Not every coach or team uses a run and gun offense. I have seen many half court sets, read and react, motions, transitions, along with run and gun.

Obviously you are probably an AAU coach or involved in AAU. I think in general it has not been good for the game of basketball. That is my opinion and you can say whatever you want about it. I am a big fan of basketball in Kentucky. I choose to go to a lot of high school games. I live in Lexington so I see a lot of 11th region games and also a lot of 13th region games. I attend the state AAU tournament every year in early May to see most of the good players in the state. Ive also attended some bigger events in Cinncinatti and Louisville. The intensity in an AAU game simply does not compare to that of a high school game. I like hearing about guys like Stephon Curry who didn't play AAU and was a top 10 draft pick this year. He spent his time developing fundamentals.

 

We will just have to agree to disagree. We have gotten way off topic so if I can manage I am going to try not to discuss this again in the thread.

 

How can you say that playing basketball is not good for the game of basketball? You said something previously about not being able to practice. Some of the best experiences come from in game experiences. If these kids didnt play summer AAU ball, they would be sitting around from April til November without any game experience. AAU has dramatically increased the talent in high school. Generally, this is because the best talent from each highschool team plays AAU, which means that every time you step on the AAU court you are playing the best of the best. How does that not improve your game? That is much better than beating up on some freshman or sophomore in practice if you are an incoming senior.

 

And, this is always an exception. Steph Curry was very much the exception. Then again, he did have a father that played in the NBA who I am sure worked with, and coached him up every day of his life. Not every kid has that luxury.

How can you say that playing basketball is not good for the game of basketball? You said something previously about not being able to practice. Some of the best experiences come from in game experiences. If these kids didnt play summer AAU ball, they would be sitting around from April til November without any game experience. AAU has dramatically increased the talent in high school. Generally, this is because the best talent from each highschool team plays AAU, which means that every time you step on the AAU court you are playing the best of the best. How does that not improve your game? That is much better than beating up on some freshman or sophomore in practice if you are an incoming senior.

 

And, this is always an exception. Steph Curry was very much the exception. Then again, he did have a father that played in the NBA who I am sure worked with, and coached him up every day of his life. Not every kid has that luxury.

 

 

I am not saying playing basketball is bad. I am saying that the set up typically leaves to bad habits IMO. Players learn not to play hard and pick up bad habits. I think more time should be set up and set aside for fundamental work. I believe that all playing and no practicing is not good. I also believe that all practicing and not playing isn't good either.

Euton is deciding soon between Akron and EKU.

I heard Vance Hall is being looked at by U of L. That young man is a definite asset to whatever college finally wins his choice!

Edited October 5, 200916 yr by Ballr71

Euton is deciding soon between Akron and EKU.

 

That's right where he belongs Clyde. He would have been a Troy McKinley at UK, agreed?

That's right where he belongs Clyde. He would have been a Troy McKinley at UK, agreed?

 

Worse in the regard that unlike 1981 when no one had heard of Troy prior to the state tourney this kid has been under the KY microscope for years. Expectations would have exceeded ability and it would have led to a bad experience for the young man IMO.

 

This example should serve as a lesson to everyone throughout the state including many on here who felt the need to bash the kid when all he did was say "yes" to a D1 college coach who offered 4 years of education and basketball.

Wherever Dakota lands they will get an extremely hard-working, driven player who loves the game of basketball. Did he belong at UK, probably not........has he EARNED a full-ride to play hoops, absolutely ! I wish him well. He has worked hard for the opportunity and he won't disappoint whoever signs him I'm sure.

If those coaches were at a high school game, it was because they had a player on their radar already from AAU ball.

 

Most decent AAU teams will beat even good high school teams.

 

Calipari may be an exception. Most college coaches I've talked to when asked how they learned of a certain player said we saw them in an AAU tournament over the summer.

 

There are a few high school tournaments like Marshall Hoopfest that draw about 30-40 college coaches. Big AAU tournaments draw as many as 250 coaches.

 

You are absolutely right.

Which of the legit d1 players on the list will not be playing college ball next year?

I heard Vance Hall is being looked at by U of L. That young man is a definite asset to whatever college finally wins his choice!

 

I heard Vance has several D1 visits upcoming including Louisville. I agree he will be a great player at whichever school he choses and way under the radar for his talent level.