Finding a good AAU team for 7th grader?

[Anonymous]

I am a single mom with an ex who’s not involved and I don’t know that much about basketball.

My son wants to play on an AAU team and I cannot figure out how you go about finding a good team with good coaches. I heard some AAU teams just take your money then bench all but a few players all season. I want coaches that work with all their players. Coaches who understand 12-year olds are still kids.

Can anyone help me find a good team for my son?

[Anonymous]

What skills does your son bring to the table? And where are you located? Does your son have any travel basketball experience? If so, where and do those teammates play AAU? I’d ask those parents.

[Anonymous]

You want a team that focuses on player development. Playing time is good and he should always get to play, but if his skill level is low, it’s I wouldn’t stress too much as long as he does see action every game and get a chance. The important thing is that he gets better.

I know of some teams, but only in the Northern Virginia area

[Anonymous]

I hear Team Durant and Takeover are really good. I think your son can make these teams. I heard it not very hard and they have good coaching. Competition level will be moderate…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You want a team that focuses on player development. Playing time is good and he should always get to play, but if his skill level is low, it’s I wouldn’t stress too much as long as he does see action every game and get a chance. The important thing is that he gets better.

I know of some teams, but only in the Northern Virginia area

Can you please recommend these teams? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Where do you live?

[Anonymous]

Hi, this is OP. We are in the Rosslyn area of Arlington.

Thanks for the recs for KD and Takeover. I’m going to reach out to them.

My son has decent skills and is a top scorer on his rec team. He wants to make the jump to AAU and his coach thinks he has a chance. I asked his coach for recs and he didn’t have any. He doesn’t seem plugged in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You want a team that focuses on player development. Playing time is good and he should always get to play, but if his skill level is low, it’s I wouldn’t stress too much as long as he does see action every game and get a chance. The important thing is that he gets better.

I know of some teams, but only in the Northern Virginia area

Can you please recommend these teams? Thank you!

16:23, this is OP chiming in, and we’re NoVa too so can you please name the teams that you’d recommend?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, this is OP. We are in the Rosslyn area of Arlington.

Thanks for the recs for KD and Takeover. I’m going to reach out to them.

My son has decent skills and is a top scorer on his rec team. He wants to make the jump to AAU and his coach thinks he has a chance. I asked his coach for recs and he didn’t have any. He doesn’t seem plugged in.

Did he try out for the Arlington FCYBL travel team? That's the next step up from rec. You should think about it for next year.

Off the top of my head: Nova Cavaliers, 94 feet, Fairfax Stars. Some of the community leagues also have AAU teams with tryouts in late winter. BRYC, CYA. I don't know as much about the closer-in leagues. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure your son is a great player but just to temper your expectations...it is really hard to break into an "existing" team. Your son has to be substantially better than a current player for the coach to axe a kid he already knows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure your son is a great player but just to temper your expectations...it is really hard to break into an "existing" team. Your son has to be substantially better than a current player for the coach to axe a kid he already knows.

This is sadly true. Even the low level travel teams like the FCYBL teams are hard to get a spot on over a kid from last season.

[Anonymous]

Arlington Thunder and Beyond The Hoop Bulldog

[Anonymous]

You can follow a bunch of teams on Instagram and look out for spring tryouts (likely in March).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear Team Durant and Takeover are really good. I think your son can make these teams. I heard it not very hard and they have good coaching. Competition level will be moderate…

OP, while I think your son should go for it and try out for any AAU team, this PP is likely a troll. Team Durant and Takeover are elite (division 1 level) travel teams that attract and recruit the top talent from other AAU teams, very experienced players. Going to their tryouts would be a good workout experience for your son but only a good use of your time if nothing else going on. (Full disclosure -- my son plays on one of the above-mentioned teams and he had several years of prior year-round AAU experience, moving from another highly-regarded team plus playing FCYBL travel. Very competitive tryouts and several team members were dropped to make way for a few new kids.)

Another PP mentioned Beyond the Hoop/Bulldawgs which is a good starting team. Fairfax Stars may be a good fit if it starts up younger teams again (so no existing team to compete with). Nova94 is good but most of the teams have been together with current rosters for a few years. All 3 teams will start spring tryouts soon (see their websites and twitter).

If you don't mind traveling to PG county for practices several times per week, there are many teams in that area. I am looking for teams in the Alexandria area for some of my son's friends so if I find any, I will post.

BTW, I learned about AAU from reading old dcurbanmom posts.

[Anonymous]

What tips are there to finding a team that isn’t already formed?