Helena Frye
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is an alliance of national and district associations, amateur athletic groups, and educational institutions formed in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sports. The AAU basketball season for elementary and middle school students starts in March and lasts through late June, while the high school season begins in March and ends in July, with a break in June. AAU basketball tournaments take place across the country, with most scheduled from March to October, allowing college coaches to scout and recruit players during their off-season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| AAU Basketball Season | March to July (outside of the high school season, with a focus on April to July) |
| Elementary and Middle School AAU Basketball Season | March to late June |
| AAU Basketball Membership Cost | $20 or $22 annually from September 1 to August 31 |
| AAU Basketball Tryout Cost | $25 (rough guideline) |
| AAU Basketball Teams | Over 200 boys and girls AAU basketball teams from 2nd to 11th grade in 22 cities across the US |
| AAU Basketball Nationals | Start at 7 & Under category and go up to late teens, generally occurring in July |
| AAU Founded | 1888 |
| AAU Purpose | Establishing standards and uniformity in amateur sports, certifying athletes as amateurs in various sports |
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What You'll Learn
AAU basketball season start dates
The AAU basketball season typically runs from March to October, with the peak period being April to July. This timeframe falls outside of the high school basketball season and allows college coaches to scout and recruit players during their off-season.
The AAU basketball season is geared towards student-athletes, providing them with valuable experience and exposure to potential college athletic opportunities. The elementary and middle school AAU basketball season starts in March and continues through late June. During this time, teams usually play 3-5 games on weekends, focusing on tournaments.
The AAU also offers a high school season, which begins in March and concludes in July, with a break in June. This season is structured similarly to the elementary and middle school season, with an emphasis on weekend tournaments.
Additionally, the AAU organizes various national tournaments, catering to different age groups, from 7 & Under to late teens. These nationals typically occur in July and are often held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
It is worth noting that the AAU basketball scene is quite diverse, with teams varying in terms of their focus and organization. While some teams prioritize winning above all else, others strive for a more balanced approach, using basketball as a tool to impart life lessons and foster personal growth.
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AAU membership and costs
AAU basketball tournaments are usually scheduled from March to October, with a focus on April to July, and the season typically starts in March. The AAU also organises a significant number of AAU basketball nationals, which generally occur in July.
AAU membership is good for one year, starting on September 1 and ending on August 31. The AAU membership cost for basketball is $20 or $22 annually. The extra $2 is for extended coverage, which allows members to participate in non-AAU-licensed events under certain circumstances. AAU membership also allows players to take part in a variety of other sports in addition to basketball.
AAU basketball tryouts often have an additional cost, with prices varying but averaging around $25. It's important to note that this cost typically includes access to several tryouts, not just one.
The costs for AAU basketball teams can vary significantly, from free to thousands of dollars, depending on the team, club, skill level, travel, and other factors. When choosing an AAU basketball team, it's essential to consider the values and goals of the team or organisation to ensure a good fit for the athlete and family.
AAU youth membership, which covers all youth sports, is $20 for a regular membership and $22 for extended coverage. The adult athlete membership, which covers one sport only, is in the same price range, while adult club fees are $50 per year. Coaches and admin memberships are $55 to $79, and international (non-US) membership is $55.
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AAU basketball nationals
The AAU, or Amateur Athletic Union, was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sports. The AAU basketball season for elementary and middle school students starts in March and lasts through late June, while the high school season begins in March, takes a break in June, and ends in July. Most AAU basketball tournaments are scheduled from March to October, outside of the high school season, with a focus on April to July. This timing allows college coaches to scout and recruit players during their off-season.
AAU basketball is a great way for student-athletes to gain vital experience and exposure, potentially paving the way for college athletic opportunities. The transition from AAU to college basketball is made by numerous players each year, with college coaches able to scout during the AAU season.
AAU basketball teams can vary widely in terms of cost, skill level, and focus. Some teams may be highly competitive and focused solely on winning, while others may prioritize teaching life lessons and personal growth. Costs can range from free to thousands of dollars, depending on factors such as travel, skill level, and what the team or club offers. When choosing an AAU team, it is important to consider the values and goals of the organization to ensure they align with your own. Additionally, the quality of coaching can vary, and it is worth ensuring that the team has experienced and qualified coaches who are trained in child safety.
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Transitioning to college basketball
AAU basketball tournaments take place across the country from March to October, with a focus on April to July. The AAU also organises several AAU basketball nationals, which are generally for players in their late teens and are usually held in July. The AAU basketball season for elementary and middle school students starts in March and ends in late June, while the high school season begins in March and ends in July, with a break in June.
AAU basketball provides student-athletes with vital experience and exposure, helping them transition to college basketball. If you're a high school freshman looking to transition from AAU to college basketball, you can start the process by reaching out to college coaches, although they cannot contact you first. You should also consider the general expectations for players looking to move to the college game, such as height, average points, and rebounds per game. For example, a centre looking to join an NCAA Division I roster should be about 6'10" or taller and average 12-15 points and 8-10 rebounds per game.
The costs for AAU basketball can vary, ranging from free to thousands of dollars, depending on the team, club, and various other factors. When choosing an AAU basketball team, it's important to consider the team's values and whether they align with your own. It's also crucial to know who the coach is or, at the very least, trust the organisation to hire a great coach. Competition in practices and games is essential for a youth basketball player's development, and it's beneficial to join a well-organised team with good communication.
In recent years, there has been a notable shift in hiring trends, with NBA assistant coaches transitioning to college basketball. This reflects the growing professionalisation of college basketball, as coaching styles and recruitment practices become more similar to those of the NBA. As a result, the college game is adopting professional elements such as NIL deals and competitive salaries. The success of these transitions could shape future hiring trends and significantly impact the landscape of collegiate coaching.
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Finding a local AAU team
The AAU basketball season for elementary and middle school students starts in March and lasts through late June, while the high school season begins in March, breaks in June, and ends in July. Most AAU basketball tournaments are scheduled from March to October, with a focus on April to July. This timing allows college coaches to scout and recruit players during their off-season.
AAU basketball can be a confusing and tough landscape to navigate, as youth basketball leagues are often disorganized, focused solely on winning, and frustrating for parents due to a lack of organized communication. However, there are several ways to find a local AAU team:
- The Amateur Athletic Union has a webpage to help parents and players find a local AAU basketball team. However, keep in mind that many teams and organizations are not official AAU basketball teams or clubs, so they will not show up in those results.
- A simple Google search for "AAU basketball team + [insert area or city]" will yield results for local AAU teams.
- Reddit communities like r/Basketball are a great resource for discussing playing and watching the game, and users can provide tips and advice on finding local AAU teams.
- Reach out to local coaches or organizations and inquire about tryouts. These tryouts often incur an additional cost, but they are a great way to get involved with a team and showcase your skills.
- Consider the team's values and whether they align with your own. Are you looking for a team that focuses on teaching life lessons, or one that is highly competitive and focused on winning?
- Research the coach's qualifications and experience. While you may not know exactly who the coach is, you should be able to trust the organization to hire knowledgeable and experienced coaches who are certified and have undergone background checks and training in child safety.
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Frequently asked questions
The AAU basketball season typically starts in March and ends in late June or July, depending on the player's grade.
The AAU basketball membership costs $20 or $22 annually from September 1 to August 31. However, the overall cost of AAU basketball can vary from being free to thousands of dollars, depending on the team, club, and other factors.
The AAU offers basketball for various age groups, starting from 7 & Under up to players in their late teens.
AAU basketball provides student-athletes with vital experience and exposure, helping them gain opportunities to play in college. The focus is generally on weekend tournaments, with teams playing around 3-5 games each weekend.
The Amateur Athletic Union has a webpage to help players and parents find a local AAU basketball team. Additionally, a simple online search for "AAU basketball team + [area or city]" can help identify teams in your desired location.
