I have a lot to say on this episode and I do a bit of rambling…
But the Too Long; Didn’t Listen is this:
Circuit exposure isn’t nearly as important as player development in AAU ball ESPECIALLY with the portal showing roughly 800 D1 and D2 players entered just on day 1.
My opinion? Here’s the order of focus:
Development - does the team practice? Do they work on individual skills? What team concepts do they run?
Networking - How many players in the program have gone to the level you want to play at? Who do the coaches already know that they can call? Do they have a social media presence?
Cost - We are blessed here in Utah to have some of the lowest costs to attend in state colleges. Think about this, the cost to attend UVU is around $6,300 a year, so getting a degree from a 4 year school is close to $30k with books and all that jazz. With 0 financial aid. If 4 years of AAU basketball is going to set you back more than $30k in Utah, perhaps that full ride is waiting for you by playing locally with some great clubs, enjoying the game, getting better, and not flying around the country
Circuit level - Follow the data not the dogma. If you’re playing in Utah and want to play D1 basketball, understand there are currently 44 players from Utah playing D1 hoops (here’s a map from the NCAA). That’s it. It’s incredibly hard. If you (or your child) wants to get there, it will happen primarily because of 1 and 2 above and perhaps what circuit the AAU club is on helps with those, but it might not.
Here’s a list of circuit teams and some independent programs as well (IG/Twitter linked so you can follow them):
Utah Prospects/Team Kessler - 3SSB
Rebels - Nike EYBL Champions League
Team BWill - Puma NXT
Team Utah - Puma NXT
Utah Gold - 3SGB
Utah Valley Prime - 3SGB
Mountain Stars - UAA
Susa - 3SGB
Hard Knox - 3SGB
Bucked Up Elite - UA Rise
Salt City Hustle - UA Rise
Next Level Basketball - Puma NXT
Legacy - Puma NXT
Indy:
Utah Hype - unsigned seniors
I’m sure I missed a bunch! Sorry if I did!
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