Andrew Pace
AAU basketball, an acronym for Amateur Athletic Union basketball, is a competitive youth basketball league that prepares athletes for recruitment by top college basketball teams. The AAU basketball season for elementary and middle school students typically 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. The AAU basketball Easter Classic is an upcoming tournament scheduled for April 18-19.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season start time | Late March for elementary, middle, and high schoolers; spring and early summer |
| Season end time | Middle of June for elementary and middle schoolers; July for high schoolers |
| Number of games | 3-5 games on Saturdays and Sundays |
| Membership cost | $20 or $22 annually |
| Tryout cost | $25 |
| Number of members | Nearly 700,000 or 800,000 |
| Age groups | 12 age groups |
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What You'll Learn
AAU basketball season dates
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is a non-profit organisation that has been organising youth basketball leagues and tournaments in the United States since 1888. AAU basketball tournaments are held throughout the country, with most scheduled from March to October, outside of the high school season, and a focus on April to July. This timing allows college coaches to scout and recruit players during their off-season.
The elementary and middle school AAU basketball season starts in March and lasts through late June. The high school season begins in March and ends in July, with a break in June. The focus of AAU basketball season is generally on weekend tournaments, with teams playing around 3-5 games on Saturdays and Sundays. AAU basketball nationals, which are generally for players in the 7 & Under category up to their late teens, usually take place in July.
AAU basketball membership costs $20 or $22 annually from September 1 to August 31. The additional $2 fee covers the costs of extended coverage. AAU membership also allows players to take part in a variety of other sports besides basketball. AAU basketball tryouts often incur a separate cost, which can vary but is usually around $25.
While AAU basketball is a great opportunity to compete against some of the best players in the sport, it is important to consider its pros and cons. One of the cons is that many teams do not offer sufficient practice time, and winning tends to be a substantial focus for some coaches rather than developing players. The quality of AAU basketball coaching can also be inconsistent, so it is important to research any clubs you are considering working with to find the top AAU basketball coaches.
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AAU basketball costs
AAU basketball refers to the youth basketball leagues and tournaments organized by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of amateur sports in the United States. The AAU was founded in 1888 and initially served as a leader in international sport, representing the US in international sports federations and preparing athletes for the Olympic Games.
Today, the AAU provides sports programs for all participants of all ages, with a focus on grassroots-level sports. AAU basketball is very competitive, providing an opportunity for athletes to compete against some of the best players in the sport. It is also a prime opportunity for athletes to showcase their skills to college coaches and prepare for the competition of college basketball.
AAU basketball membership costs $20 or $22 annually from September 1 to August 31. The extra $2 covers the costs of extended coverage, which allows members to participate in non-AAU-licensed events under certain circumstances. AAU basketball tryouts may incur an additional cost, with prices varying but averaging around $25.
In addition to membership and tryout costs, there are other significant costs associated with AAU basketball participation. The cost of playing in several tournaments can be substantial, sometimes reaching thousands of dollars for a top player in any given summer. Travel costs, including transportation, accommodation, food, and gas, can also add up, especially for teams traveling to key evaluation period events. The cost of joining a team can vary depending on the level of competition and location, with some teams charging as much as $1500 for the season, while others may be as low as $300-600. Uniforms can also be an additional expense, ranging from $100 to several hundred dollars.
Overall, the costs of participating in AAU basketball can vary significantly depending on the team, the number of tournaments played, and travel expenses. It is important for athletes and their families to carefully consider the financial commitment required when deciding to participate in AAU basketball.
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AAU basketball pros and cons
AAU basketball, organised by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), is a competitive youth basketball league and tournament system. It is a great opportunity to compete against some of the best players in the sport. The AAU was founded in 1888 to standardise and unify amateur sports in the US.
Pros
AAU basketball is a great way to get kids active and exposed to college basketball. AAU tournaments and games are often huge national events with the best AAU talent, offering exposure to anyone wanting to watch elite players. AAU basketball can be a great way to get kids ready for college basketball, as it provides competition outside of high school, allowing kids to continuously compete at a high level all year round. AAU also gives kids a chance to diversify their game and gain experience, build relationships, make friends, and travel.
Cons
AAU basketball has been criticised for its lack of focus on the fundamentals of the game. Some say it does not teach players how to play properly, with a lack of emphasis on team play and zero patience for teaching the basics of the sport. There is also a lack of loyalty, with players often abandoning their high school programme to focus on AAU, and jumping between AAU teams to be on the best side. There is also a lack of practice time, with winning being a substantial focus for some coaches, rather than developing players. The quality of coaching is inconsistent, and playing in tournaments can be expensive. AAU has also been criticised for putting too much pressure on young players to perform, which can lead to repetitive stress injuries and burnout.
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AAU basketball history
AAU basketball refers to the youth basketball leagues and tournaments organized by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). The AAU is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of amateur sports in the United States. The AAU was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sports. During its early years, the AAU served as a leader in international sport, representing the U.S. in international sports federations and working closely with the Olympic movement to prepare athletes for the Olympic Games.
The AAU held its first national men's basketball championship in 1897, with the 23rd Street YMCA from New York City taking the crown. AAU basketball was particularly strong in the Midwest, Southwest, and West Coast, where the NBA had yet to establish a presence. The first AAU women's basketball tournament was held in April 1926 at the Los Angeles Athletics Club, with the Pasadena Athletic & Country Club Flying Rings crowned champions.
In the 1950s and 1960s, AAU tournaments rose in popularity with teams like the Phillips 66ers, the Peoria Caterpillars, and the Denver D-C Truckers. These teams played a full schedule each season, with over 30 games a year, and helped introduce the American style of basketball to foreign players. The appeal of AAU basketball began to decline in the early 1960s with the rise of the NBA and the formation of the American Basketball Association.
Despite this, AAU basketball continued to grow, and by the 1980s, membership had expanded significantly, with youth basketball being a major factor. AAU basketball is known for its competitiveness, providing athletes with the opportunity to face challenging teams and improve their skills. It is often seen as a pathway to college basketball, as it exposes players to college coaches and offers a chance to impress those involved with the Junior Basketball Association.
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AAU basketball team selection
AAU basketball, which stands for Amateur Athletic Union basketball, is a competitive youth basketball league and tournament. It was founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in amateur sports and has since been a leader in international sport, representing the US in international sports federations and the Olympic Games. AAU basketball is a great opportunity to compete against some of the best players in the sport and can help hone the skills needed to get recruited for college basketball.
The AAU basketball team selection process can be quite simple. Firstly, it is important to note that AAU basketball is a blanket term, and many teams and organizations are not official AAU basketball teams or clubs. To find an official AAU basketball team, the Amateur Athletic Union has a web page to help parents and players find a local AAU basketball team. Additionally, a simple Google search for "AAU basketball team + [area or city]" will also yield results. Once a suitable AAU basketball team or club is found, the next step is to contact them through the information listed on their website. However, it is worth noting that AAU basketball is historically unprofessional, and responses to emails or phone calls may be delayed.
The AAU basketball season typically runs from March through to mid-to-late June for elementary and middle school players, with a focus on weekend tournaments, playing around 3-5 games on Saturdays and Sundays. The high school season follows a similar schedule, starting in March, breaking in June, and ending in July. AAU basketball membership costs $20 or $22 annually, and tryouts often incur an additional cost of around $25.
When selecting an AAU basketball team, it is essential to consider the pros and cons of AAU membership. AAU basketball provides the opportunity to compete against some of the best players and teams in the country, offering fierce competition that can prepare athletes for college-level basketball. AAU events can also provide exposure to college coaches, increasing the chances of recruitment by top basketball colleges. However, a con to consider is that many AAU teams do not offer much practice time, and the focus is predominantly on winning rather than developing players. The quality of coaching can also be inconsistent across AAU teams, so it is crucial to research any clubs or teams before joining.
To summarize, the AAU basketball team selection process involves finding an official AAU team or club, contacting them, and considering the pros and cons of AAU membership. It is important to note that AAU basketball is a competitive space with varying levels of organization and professionalism. By following the steps outlined above, athletes can make an informed decision when selecting an AAU basketball team that aligns with their goals and skill development needs.
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Frequently asked questions
The AAU basketball season starts in the spring and early summer. The schedule for elementary (grades 1-7) and middle (grades 7-9) schoolers starts from late March to the middle of June and high schoolers (grades 9-12) from late March to July, except for June.
The AAU basketball membership costs $20 or $22 annually from September 1 to August 31. AAU tryouts often incur an additional cost of around $25.
AAU basketball is very competitive and provides excellent competition for youngsters. It is a prime opportunity to compete against some of the best players in the sport and can help hone the skills needed to get recruited for college basketball. AAU basketball events can also provide an avenue to get noticed by the best basketball colleges.
Many teams do not offer much practice time and winning tends to be a substantial focus for some coaches, as opposed to developing players. The quality of coaching is also not consistent across AAU basketball.
It is important to know your child's goals and skills to match them with a program that meets their expectations. If your goal is to make a college roster, look for a team that plays at major events that are NCAA-certified during the evaluation periods on the NCAA recruiting calendar.
