Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 17:24     Subject: How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
Just a note on Bermudez-he used to migrate around to various AAU teams trying to build teams to feature his kid, a PG.
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 17:09     Subject: How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
Anonymous wrote:Which nova Cavs team is had half the team quit?


I was wondering that as well. It also seems like they've added more teams this year, two of the new coaches they added are Varsity coaches in the area, sure that has something to do with it.
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 17:07     Subject: How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
Which nova Cavs team is had half the team quit?
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 16:42     Subject: How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would not put all your eggs in the Nova Cavs basket. Those teams are not going to have opening

Yes, a Nova Cavs team may have openings if past players quit the team! But, you'll want to ask WHY half of an established team quit... for any or all of the following reasons: inexperienced or uninspired coaching, disorganized schedule, coaches primarily play only top players (even during blowouts) with too many solid players ending up on the bench, etc. (My son has Nova Cav friends so we get the inside scoop.)

The best advice for players and parents is to plan your next team move MONTHS in advance of tryouts rather than scrambling now. Go to Shots Up league games and local tournaments to watch games and identify teams with a good fit based on skill level. Pay close attention to who plays (if everyone plays and how much) and the size of the roster. As you narrow down, observe coach interactions with players, refs, parents and opposing team coaches. If you think a team may be a good fit, then introduce yourselves to the head coach after a game/after team huddle and get contact info where you can send a video clip, or hopefully get invited to a team's workout if your "pitch" is convincing enough.

Also, the better year-round AAU teams either continue playing through winter or already held tryouts in the fall for the 23-24 season and may only hold tryouts now for show. Many Nova parents don't realize that FCYBL is not the end-all be-all in winter basketball. My son has been playing in leagues, tournaments and a circuit since November when his team was formed and that now-established team has an advantage moving into the spring AAU season.

Good luck y'all!!


For younger teams, that makes sense, but HS players from what I understand are not allowed to play AAU tournaments during the season?
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 16:40     Subject: How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Byrnes is the current coach of South Lakes freshman team, he will have a roster of mostly SL freshmen. I think it would be tough to make that team. I don't know anything about the other two.


+1.

Bermudez always has a pre-assembled team as well.


Thanks for the info, I guess the best chance is the "third" team that they're doing this year? Which could be be a money grab. My DS said he knows some of the players from South Lakes and that he is better than the majority of them, but who knows. I am still learning plenty about this...


Yeah, but Byrnes has been coaching pretty much the same group of kids since my son started playing against them in 6th grade, so my guess is a kid would have to be significantly better to have a chance an existing players spot.


Are they pretty good?
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 16:40     Subject: How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
Anonymous wrote:I would not put all your eggs in the Nova Cavs basket. Those teams are not going to have opening

Yes, a Nova Cavs team may have openings if past players quit the team! But, you'll want to ask WHY half of an established team quit... for any or all of the following reasons: inexperienced or uninspired coaching, disorganized schedule, coaches primarily play only top players (even during blowouts) with too many solid players ending up on the bench, etc. (My son has Nova Cav friends so we get the inside scoop.)

The best advice for players and parents is to plan your next team move MONTHS in advance of tryouts rather than scrambling now. Go to Shots Up league games and local tournaments to watch games and identify teams with a good fit based on skill level. Pay close attention to who plays (if everyone plays and how much) and the size of the roster. As you narrow down, observe coach interactions with players, refs, parents and opposing team coaches. If you think a team may be a good fit, then introduce yourselves to the head coach after a game/after team huddle and get contact info where you can send a video clip, or hopefully get invited to a team's workout if your "pitch" is convincing enough.

Also, the better year-round AAU teams either continue playing through winter or already held tryouts in the fall for the 23-24 season and may only hold tryouts now for show. Many Nova parents don't realize that FCYBL is not the end-all be-all in winter basketball. My son has been playing in leagues, tournaments and a circuit since November when his team was formed and that now-established team has an advantage moving into the spring AAU season.

Good luck y'all!!
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 16:35     Subject: How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Byrnes is the current coach of South Lakes freshman team, he will have a roster of mostly SL freshmen. I think it would be tough to make that team. I don't know anything about the other two.


+1.

Bermudez always has a pre-assembled team as well.


Thanks for the info, I guess the best chance is the "third" team that they're doing this year? Which could be be a money grab. My DS said he knows some of the players from South Lakes and that he is better than the majority of them, but who knows. I am still learning plenty about this...


Yeah, but Byrnes has been coaching pretty much the same group of kids since my son started playing against them in 6th grade, so my guess is a kid would have to be significantly better to have a chance an existing players spot.
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 16:04     Subject: How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Byrnes is the current coach of South Lakes freshman team, he will have a roster of mostly SL freshmen. I think it would be tough to make that team. I don't know anything about the other two.


+1.

Bermudez always has a pre-assembled team as well.


Thanks for the info, I guess the best chance is the "third" team that they're doing this year? Which could be be a money grab. My DS said he knows some of the players from South Lakes and that he is better than the majority of them, but who knows. I am still learning plenty about this...
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 16:00     Subject: How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
I really love this website. Someone always knows something.
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 16:00     Subject: How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
I would not put all your eggs in the Nova Cavs basket. Those teams are not going to have opening
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 15:59     Subject: How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
Anonymous wrote:Byrnes is the current coach of South Lakes freshman team, he will have a roster of mostly SL freshmen. I think it would be tough to make that team. I don't know anything about the other two.


+1.

Bermudez always has a pre-assembled team as well.
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 15:55     Subject: Re:How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:9th Grade DS is trying out for Nova Cavs this Saturday, can anyone offer insight on the Cavs, specifically for 9th Grade? I do not see a ton of information out there, even on their website. Thank you.


Who's the coach? Or coaches if there are multiple teams?


From what I have seen on their website from last year, they had Adrien Bermudez and Shannon Byrnes. Their instagram said they added a coach for 9th Grade, Sam Weinstein, I do not know if that is in place of one of the two coaches from last year or if they have three teams. Thank you.


Extra curious about this too if someone has answers. My DS is only really interested in Nova Cavs, Nova94, and Virginia Elite...
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 15:55     Subject: How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
Byrnes is the current coach of South Lakes freshman team, he will have a roster of mostly SL freshmen. I think it would be tough to make that team. I don't know anything about the other two.
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 15:52     Subject: How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
Anonymous wrote:Some of the teams holding tryouts now have 2 teams so be sure to find out if your kid made the A team or B team. In some cases, the A team simply consists of existing players and coaches (and may plan for some out-of-town tournaments) but the newer B team may be as good depending on the skill level at the tryouts and coach.

AND... your kid may be one of the first picks but still end up as a bencher if the coach only plays favorites and bigs 75+ percent of every game. In fact, the coaches holding early tryouts will snag the top talent yet may end up benching 5 very good guards! (ask me how I know)


Are the later tryout teams easier to get on since the better players are already on a team?

My kid got cut from Beltway Ballerz. I think my kid was borderline and my kid swears he is equal or better than some kids already on the team. I have learned that you have to be a standout and coach will not replace a bench with a new bench.
Anonymous
Post 02/13/2024 15:46     Subject: How hard is it to get on an AAU basketball team?
Some of the teams holding tryouts now have 2 teams so be sure to find out if your kid made the A team or B team. In some cases, the A team simply consists of existing players and coaches (and may plan for some out-of-town tournaments) but the newer B team may be as good depending on the skill level at the tryouts and coach.

AND... your kid may be one of the first picks but still end up as a bencher if the coach only plays favorites and bigs 75+ percent of every game. In fact, the coaches holding early tryouts will snag the top talent yet may end up benching 5 very good guards! (ask me how I know)