Freshman Basketball - advice needed

[jayashrees5524]

My freshman son didnt make the final cut for his freshman basketball team. He made it till the final selection day (second cut), but on the first training day, inexplicably, the coach cut two players (my son was one of them). My teen has played rec and competitively for the past 5 years, and basketball is his life - he puts in the work every single day, and being cut from the HS team has devastated him. As an immigrant parent who doesnt really understand the sports scene here as much, I wanted advice as to how to guide him. He is keen to keep playing so we are exploring travel teams again (our past AAU experience was not that good - we had issues with the coach). How can he keep playing basketball competitively outside of the school team in HS. Do colleges consider players not playing in their school team? I would like realistic advice please. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Ask the H.S. Coach what he can do better. Personally I would work on 3 things (make layups, play top level defense, and learn to catch and shoot effectively) Be a 3 and D player (a role player who shots 3 pointers and really good defense).

Seek professional training and play rec ball this winter. 3v3 leagues can also be beneficial (more touches = more development). Work on conditioning, strength building, and skill development.

Unless you are a superstar (Top 50 national player), colleges do not look at freshmen. Be at your best in Junior and Senior years and perhaps you may get a look. If not, it's ok, you have a life-long sport that will keep you happy for a long time.

[Anonymous]

I would do training all winter and try out for a bunch of AAU teams for the spring. Then I would do more training in the summer and see what next year brings for HS. If the school offers camps, green days or any clinics, he needs to take advantage.

[Anonymous]

Yep,

Def train train train.

Sign up for your local rec league to get game experience. Also try another AAU team to get hopefully some good coaching. Lots of kids improve greatly from freshman year to sophomore.

My kid was deep bench freshman year, now is on varsity.

[Anonymous]

I just wanted to send hugs. You are a good parent to be there for him during this difficult time. It will hurt for awhile. All you can really do is be a source of love and comfort and peace.

[Anonymous]

OP - I'm a couple years behind you, but also new to sports as I'm a first gen American who didn't play growing up.

My middle school son has been really into baskeball the last couple years. Just enjoying it and wanting to get better. I now see there are SO many young kids who train a lot and play at really exceptional levels.

My son is decent, but is he ever going to play college ball? no. Is he ever going to be in the NBA? of course not.

The competitiveness of playing for even HS teams around here is just ridiculous. And guess what - none of those kids are going to play for the NBA either.

I have an older kid in high school and have learned that some sports are "walk on." This means anyone can play. We are now steering him away from the competitive rat race of basketball (though will encourage him to keep playing rec) and towards a sport he can definitely play in high school just for the fun of it.

Please don't get overstressed about competitive sports around here. They are truly pointless and can be soul crushing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I'm a couple years behind you, but also new to sports as I'm a first gen American who didn't play growing up.

My middle school son has been really into baskeball the last couple years. Just enjoying it and wanting to get better. I now see there are SO many young kids who train a lot and play at really exceptional levels.

My son is decent, but is he ever going to play college ball? no. Is he ever going to be in the NBA? of course not.

The competitiveness of playing for even HS teams around here is just ridiculous. And guess what - none of those kids are going to play for the NBA either.

I have an older kid in high school and have learned that some sports are "walk on." This means anyone can play. We are now steering him away from the competitive rat race of basketball (though will encourage him to keep playing rec) and towards a sport he can definitely play in high school just for the fun of it.

Please don't get overstressed about competitive sports around here. They are truly pointless and can be soul crushing.

You're not wrong, but don't kill your child's dream. It's healthy to have goals, even some that seem unattainable in your eyes. He obviously love playing, just support him and provide the resources he need to compete. At the same time, you can look into the "easier/walk on" H.S sports.

[Anonymous]

Advice would depend on many factors. As someone mentioned above, I would talk to the high school coach for advice. Other factors:
1) What high school? DC are in private schools and honestly, if you don’t make the freshman team, you will likely not make the JV or varsity team in basketball. It is that tough in this area.
2) Height is not everything, but it matters in basketball. DC was taller than most in MS, but larger population in HS and many kids as taller or taller now. Hard to defend a shot against someone 4 inches taller.
3) There are many programs that run trainings all year long. We loved Evolution Basketball.
Ask them for insight into some of the other AAU teams.
4) DC are in schools where many kids are great athletes who practiced all the time, had extra training, camps, club programs, etc. But many are no longer playing their sport after JV. (Note: these are WCAC schools so may not equate to your HS team). On a positive note, all these kids, while disappointed for a time, found something else to focus on).
There are plenty of rec, club/AAU programs to continue playing, but I would count on playing basketball in college.

[Anonymous]

jayashrees5524 wrote:
My freshman son didnt make the final cut for his freshman basketball team. He made it till the final selection day (second cut), but on the first training day, inexplicably, the coach cut two players (my son was one of them). My teen has played rec and competitively for the past 5 years, and basketball is his life - he puts in the work every single day, and being cut from the HS team has devastated him. As an immigrant parent who doesnt really understand the sports scene here as much, I wanted advice as to how to guide him. He is keen to keep playing so we are exploring travel teams again (our past AAU experience was not that good - we had issues with the coach). How can he keep playing basketball competitively outside of the school team in HS. Do colleges consider players not playing in their school team? I would like realistic advice please. Thank you.

Just putting in the work is not enough. You have to have a high quality coaching. My son played with a travel team for 3 years. We changed teams last year, and his level of play has skyrocketed. The coaches on his new team are just that much better. I’m pissed because I now see he stagnated for three years when he could have been getting better.

Finding a good team is really hard and somewhat luck of the draw. You have to be plugged in. We were asked to try out for the new team because the coach saw my son playing with one of his team members who is a friend of my son’s. The team does not hold open tryouts.

Basketball parents are close hold with information because it’s a super-competitive sport. Only 5 players on the court at once. Many teams max out at about 12-13 players total.

Your best bet? Find a good trainer and make sure he’s developing skills at a high level. It’s best to train in small groups and 1 on 1. I’ve seen kids work with trainers forever who can’t play worth sh*t when defended. You have to practice shooting and maneuvering through defense.

Also make sure he has good shooting technique. He should be able to make close to 100% of free throws. What percentage of layups can he make while defended? Midrange shots? Three-pointers?

Can he move and dribble on a court when faced with defenders? Speed and agility matters. If you don’t have a basketball trainer who covers this well, get a separate trainer. As they get into high school strength and bulk also matters, because there’s a lot more aggressive and physical play. Is he weightlifting?

If you have a good trainer he should be plugged into the basketball community and can give you some tips on what teams your son might be able to try for that’ll help him grow as a player.

There are a lot of kids in this area who have been training at a high level for years. My son started playing at age 6, and he’s been doing individual training, group training, and elite camps for years. Yes, he made his school’s JV team, but he’s not the best player. He’s probably the 3rd best player and that’s despite a phenomenal amount of work and commitment on his part. Be realistic that there are many kids out there who love basketball and have put the work in too, some of whom got an earlier start and who have probably had better quality training.

Colleges will of course consider kids who don’t play for their high school teams. Those kids tend to be top level AAU players who play the EYBL and Adidas circuits. Kids can make huge jumps in skills so I don’t want to downplay your son’s chances. Suffice it to say he has to have some natural talent combined with hard work to get to that level in a few years.

That said, Kevin Durant did not take basketball seriously until he was 15. Once he started training seriously, he became KD.

Michael Jordan was infamously cut from his freshman team.

Dennis Rodman was 5’6” as a freshman player and benched. Didn’t restart basketball until he was 18 when he grew to 6’7.

[Anonymous]

My son didn't make his HS JV team last year as a freshman but he did make the team this year.

After not making the team last year he played in two leagues -- a rec league and more competitive league (but its wasn't AAU). Other than that, he didn't really do much to prepare for this year's tryouts. I think it helped that the coaches knew him from doing their camps and from the other teams.

I'd just encourage you help find a place to still play. One HS player we knew really worked on his fitness between seasons to add muscle mass and did end up getting a college scholarship.

[Anonymous]

If he really wants to have the high school basketball experience maybe find a less competitive private school where he’s likely to make the team.

Trying to train his way to a roster spot next year at his current school is a long shot.

[Anonymous]

OP, the PP who said your kid needs quality coaching is right. My kid played middle school ball with a kid who worked out on his own every day — I’d take my kid to the park and see him working on stuff on his own. In 6th grade they were similar in skill. My kid did training with two excellent trainers and played AAU. By freshman year, I suggested the kid work out with my son when they were at the park together before HS tryouts. Afterward, they ended up playing one one one, and and it was so one sided that it uncomfortable (like 20-0 by ones). I felt really bad for the kid because he was working hard, but hard work is not enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I'm a couple years behind you, but also new to sports as I'm a first gen American who didn't play growing up.

My middle school son has been really into baskeball the last couple years. Just enjoying it and wanting to get better. I now see there are SO many young kids who train a lot and play at really exceptional levels.

My son is decent, but is he ever going to play college ball? no. Is he ever going to be in the NBA? of course not.

The competitiveness of playing for even HS teams around here is just ridiculous. And guess what - none of those kids are going to play for the NBA either.

I have an older kid in high school and have learned that some sports are "walk on." This means anyone can play. We are now steering him away from the competitive rat race of basketball (though will encourage him to keep playing rec) and towards a sport he can definitely play in high school just for the fun of it.

Please don't get overstressed about competitive sports around here. They are truly pointless and can be soul crushing.

Guess what? Some, very likely, will. So before you share your valuable opinion about the sport you clearly know nothing about, you might want to brush up on local basketball scene.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I'm a couple years behind you, but also new to sports as I'm a first gen American who didn't play growing up.

My middle school son has been really into baskeball the last couple years. Just enjoying it and wanting to get better. I now see there are SO many young kids who train a lot and play at really exceptional levels.

My son is decent, but is he ever going to play college ball? no. Is he ever going to be in the NBA? of course not.

The competitiveness of playing for even HS teams around here is just ridiculous. And guess what - none of those kids are going to play for the NBA either.

I have an older kid in high school and have learned that some sports are "walk on." This means anyone can play. We are now steering him away from the competitive rat race of basketball (though will encourage him to keep playing rec) and towards a sport he can definitely play in high school just for the fun of it.

Please don't get overstressed about competitive sports around here. They are truly pointless and can be soul crushing.

Guess what? Some, very likely, will. So before you share your valuable opinion about the sport you clearly know nothing about, you might want to brush up on local basketball scene.

60 players are drafted into the NBA every year. In 2024, 20 of them were international players. So 40 slots for US players vs. about 30,000 college basketball players.

So when you say some of these local HS athletes have a shot at it, what exactly are you talking about? That's less that 1 player for each of the 50 states.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - I'm a couple years behind you, but also new to sports as I'm a first gen American who didn't play growing up.

My middle school son has been really into baskeball the last couple years. Just enjoying it and wanting to get better. I now see there are SO many young kids who train a lot and play at really exceptional levels.

My son is decent, but is he ever going to play college ball? no. Is he ever going to be in the NBA? of course not.

The competitiveness of playing for even HS teams around here is just ridiculous. And guess what - none of those kids are going to play for the NBA either.

I have an older kid in high school and have learned that some sports are "walk on." This means anyone can play. We are now steering him away from the competitive rat race of basketball (though will encourage him to keep playing rec) and towards a sport he can definitely play in high school just for the fun of it.

Please don't get overstressed about competitive sports around here. They are truly pointless and can be soul crushing

You're not wrong, but don't kill your child's dream. It's healthy to have goals, even some that seem unattainable in your eyes. He obviously love playing, just support him and provide the resources he need to compete. At the same time, you can look into the "easier/walk on" H.S sports.

You both have good points.
On a different note, a couple of freshmen players from last year decided to quit basketball so they did not try out for JV. So a few spots opened up at our school. You never know. I hope OP's son will keep trying.