Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes - would like to know about Boys AAU programs for an 8th grader going to tryout for high school programs next year.
What are the best programs? What are the next level down from best? We have some ideas for other parents and coaches of course but would to get other feedback.

Ok.

Quick rundown.


Elite - Eybl and SSB. You better be 6’5 in 8th grade or an amazing athlete. Just the damn best. Takover, Durant, Melo, Warriors, New World.

Some of these teams carry a B team, but they are not on a shoe circuit. Best recruiting here.


Next level Down is UAA teams and Rise.

You get DC premier, VA elite, Thrill. Great players, many get recruited for college.


Next level is Independent teams. Not really on a shoe circuit but some claim to be on Hoop Group or Zero Gravity but those are not top tier.

Here you get some good teams like Stars, Family over Fame, Cavs, St James, Nova 94

These will have mix of good players and some ok. There will be 40 kids tryouts out for like 12 spots. Most have B teams as well that may not play on these circuits.

Then there are tons of other teams like BRYC, Shots Up, Ctab that are more rec type teams but play in some tournaments as well.

For elite teams. These teams ar rush ally well formed and are invite only. You will be asked to try out if you are good. They rarely take kids from open tryouts. The other teams will hold tryouts and take the best kids.

Still many more kids trying out than spots.

For 8th grade there will be seasons in Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer

HS teams only Spring /Summer.


When we were at the last Made tourney, 1/2 the kids in the 8th grade Eybl teams were dunking. Also most of the top teams are heavy reclass so basically you have kids staying back a year to play with younger kids.

My son has a teammate in his travel baseball team who’s on Team Takeover. I know nothing about basketball but I take it this is impressive??

(Kid misses a decent amount of baseball for basketball, but the understanding is that basketball is his priority.)

If he's on their EYBL team, he will get D1 offers (as will most kids playing for EYBL of 3SSB teams). It's very impressive

If Takeover EYBL. If Takeover National team, that is the B team. Still good players there, but not D1 level.


They carry a few teams sometime.


My kid plays on team Takover, in EBYL and has no offers…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes - would like to know about Boys AAU programs for an 8th grader going to tryout for high school programs next year.
What are the best programs? What are the next level down from best? We have some ideas for other parents and coaches of course but would to get other feedback.

Ok.

Quick rundown.


Elite - Eybl and SSB. You better be 6’5 in 8th grade or an amazing athlete. Just the damn best. Takover, Durant, Melo, Warriors, New World.

Some of these teams carry a B team, but they are not on a shoe circuit. Best recruiting here.


Next level Down is UAA teams and Rise.

You get DC premier, VA elite, Thrill. Great players, many get recruited for college.


Next level is Independent teams. Not really on a shoe circuit but some claim to be on Hoop Group or Zero Gravity but those are not top tier.

Here you get some good teams like Stars, Family over Fame, Cavs, St James, Nova 94

These will have mix of good players and some ok. There will be 40 kids tryouts out for like 12 spots. Most have B teams as well that may not play on these circuits.

Then there are tons of other teams like BRYC, Shots Up, Ctab that are more rec type teams but play in some tournaments as well.

For elite teams. These teams ar rush ally well formed and are invite only. You will be asked to try out if you are good. They rarely take kids from open tryouts. The other teams will hold tryouts and take the best kids.

Still many more kids trying out than spots.

For 8th grade there will be seasons in Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer

HS teams only Spring /Summer.


When we were at the last Made tourney, 1/2 the kids in the 8th grade Eybl teams were dunking. Also most of the top teams are heavy reclass so basically you have kids staying back a year to play with younger kids.

My son has a teammate in his travel baseball team who’s on Team Takeover. I know nothing about basketball but I take it this is impressive??

(Kid misses a decent amount of baseball for basketball, but the understanding is that basketball is his priority.)

If he's on their EYBL team, he will get D1 offers (as will most kids playing for EYBL of 3SSB teams). It's very impressive

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes - would like to know about Boys AAU programs for an 8th grader going to tryout for high school programs next year.
What are the best programs? What are the next level down from best? We have some ideas for other parents and coaches of course but would to get other feedback.

Ok.

Quick rundown.


Elite - Eybl and SSB. You better be 6’5 in 8th grade or an amazing athlete. Just the damn best. Takover, Durant, Melo, Warriors, New World.

Some of these teams carry a B team, but they are not on a shoe circuit. Best recruiting here.


Next level Down is UAA teams and Rise.

You get DC premier, VA elite, Thrill. Great players, many get recruited for college.


Next level is Independent teams. Not really on a shoe circuit but some claim to be on Hoop Group or Zero Gravity but those are not top tier.

Here you get some good teams like Stars, Family over Fame, Cavs, St James, Nova 94

These will have mix of good players and some ok. There will be 40 kids tryouts out for like 12 spots. Most have B teams as well that may not play on these circuits.

Then there are tons of other teams like BRYC, Shots Up, Ctab that are more rec type teams but play in some tournaments as well.

For elite teams. These teams ar rush ally well formed and are invite only. You will be asked to try out if you are good. They rarely take kids from open tryouts. The other teams will hold tryouts and take the best kids.

Still many more kids trying out than spots.

For 8th grade there will be seasons in Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer

HS teams only Spring /Summer.


When we were at the last Made tourney, 1/2 the kids in the 8th grade Eybl teams were dunking. Also most of the top teams are heavy reclass so basically you have kids staying back a year to play with younger kids.

My son has a teammate in his travel baseball team who’s on Team Takeover. I know nothing about basketball but I take it this is impressive??

(Kid misses a decent amount of baseball for basketball, but the understanding is that basketball is his priority.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes - would like to know about Boys AAU programs for an 8th grader going to tryout for high school programs next year.
What are the best programs? What are the next level down from best? We have some ideas for other parents and coaches of course but would to get other feedback.

Ok.

Quick rundown.


Elite - Eybl and SSB. You better be 6’5 in 8th grade or an amazing athlete. Just the damn best. Takover, Durant, Melo, Warriors, New World.

Some of these teams carry a B team, but they are not on a shoe circuit. Best recruiting here.


Next level Down is UAA teams and Rise.

You get DC premier, VA elite, Thrill. Great players, many get recruited for college.


Next level is Independent teams. Not really on a shoe circuit but some claim to be on Hoop Group or Zero Gravity but those are not top tier.

Here you get some good teams like Stars, Family over Fame, Cavs, St James, Nova 94

These will have mix of good players and some ok. There will be 40 kids tryouts out for like 12 spots. Most have B teams as well that may not play on these circuits.

Then there are tons of other teams like BRYC, Shots Up, Ctab that are more rec type teams but play in some tournaments as well.

For elite teams. These teams ar rush ally well formed and are invite only. You will be asked to try out if you are good. They rarely take kids from open tryouts. The other teams will hold tryouts and take the best kids.

Still many more kids trying out than spots.

For 8th grade there will be seasons in Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer

HS teams only Spring /Summer.


When we were at the last Made tourney, 1/2 the kids in the 8th grade Eybl teams were dunking. Also most of the top teams are heavy reclass so basically you have kids staying back a year to play with younger kids.

Anonymous wrote:

+1. You can see the teams and coaches in action. And see where your kid might (or might not) fit in regarding size, skill, and overall athleticism. A lot of open gyms may or may not have many players from the team and it can be hard to tell who is visiting and who is a current player on the team.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Just a heads up, $12 a head is the price we were told to view games (welcome to AAU)

Yes that gets old especially when they want cash only. But unless these teams hold open gym practices, coaches are hard to track down and coaching staff turns over on some teams. Rare to find contact info in Instagram.

It's important to watch the teams play to assess the level and fit, plus coaching styles. Also, good to track team work to avoid teams with ball hogs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP back again - open gyms on the girls circuit this Fall. Incoming 9th grader. Is it true that they offer spots after these open gyms? What about tryouts in March? What about the AAU teams that do not have open gyms posted? Do they just wait till tryouts in March?

DD's 8th grade team picked up a girl at their last open gym for the ST James fall league. We've been told there will be fresh tryouts for winter league

Anonymous wrote:OP back again - open gyms on the girls circuit this Fall. Incoming 9th grader. Is it true that they offer spots after these open gyms? What about tryouts in March? What about the AAU teams that do not have open gyms posted? Do they just wait till tryouts in March?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the odds of making it on a team like the Stars/Takeover or Hurricanes? Our DD is competitive but has avoided them because it seems impossible to make their teams. We would like to gear up for Spring. 7th grade. Anything else we should consider that might not be as difficult to make?

Part of making a good team is who your kid knows and who knows your kid. My kid, as a not super skilled or confident 7th grader did a camp with a great coach and I think impressed that coach with his work ethic. Later that coach offered to train him, and through that he met the coach of an EYBL team. Spring of 9th grade, that coach invited my kid to work out with their team, and knowing the coach going in made him much more confident (especially since the coach gave him good feedback during the workout). He never would have made that team going into a tryout cold.

So, get your kid to as many quality camps and clinics as possible, hang around basketball gyms where good kids train and talk to people you meet there. My kid met tons of people that way, including former college and pro players and current college players. As your kid develops, it get easier to met those folks b/c they will see your kid working seriously and will strike up a conversation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Just a heads up, $12 a head is the price we were told to view games (welcome to AAU)

Yes that gets old especially when they want cash only. But unless these teams hold open gym practices, coaches are hard to track down and coaching staff turns over on some teams. Rare to find contact info in Instagram.

It's important to watch the teams play to assess the level and fit, plus coaching styles. Also, good to track team work to avoid teams with ball hogs.

Anonymous wrote:

Just a heads up, $12 a head is the price we were told to view games (welcome to AAU)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As other suggested, download TourneyMachine app and search local tournaments in VA and MD. You can also search on home page of TM for "Virginia" or "Maryland" to see some upcoming tournaments and leagues listed in the dropdown.
https://tourneymachine.com/Home.aspx

ShotsUp fall league is starting this weekend with MANY local teams, different levels, participating. Anyone looking for a team should consider taking your child and spending hours observing teams in age group play to find a potential good fit (it's well worth the admission fee). And if you find a potential fit after the games, seek out the coaches to get more info (but do your research first on Instagram to make sure you are not seeking out a team that practices in Baltimore, for example).

+1.

Anonymous wrote:
As other suggested, download TourneyMachine app and search local tournaments in VA and MD. You can also search on home page of TM for "Virginia" or "Maryland" to see some upcoming tournaments and leagues listed in the dropdown.
https://tourneymachine.com/Home.aspx

ShotsUp fall league is starting this weekend with MANY local teams, different levels, participating. Anyone looking for a team should consider taking your child and spending hours observing teams in age group play to find a potential good fit (it's well worth the admission fee). And if you find a potential fit after the games, seek out the coaches to get more info (but do your research first on Instagram to make sure you are not seeking out a team that practices in Baltimore, for example).