Half is a reach. Y'all don't realize these high and middle schoolers have personal trainers now. Them shyts not free. Don't get me started on the AAU and travel teams. Kids are traveling across the country every weekend playing in these big events. Air fare, hotels, food...this shyt not free
My son is in elementary school, going to a trainer and plays AAU/travel ball. Been doing it since third grade. He's local though here in Northwest Indiana. He's played in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Chicago. Starting early gets you connected. The local high school coach, where he'll be going, is going to put him in 12U hoops with Indiana Game, an Under Armour travel team in the fall. He'll be 11 in July. I would say my income is upper middle class.
I've met a few parents in really good neighborhoods who have their kids playing ball and paying trainers and all the other extras to help them develop their game. It's wild, I can't imagine any poor kid trying to get in the NBA unless they are freak athletes.
That's me and others like me. I do wonder why some kids are there, maybe a vanity or prestige thing but my son is likely to play D2 basketball or above post high school. If there wasn't a future here, I would not give it as much time as I do.
It doesn’t make for a better product but honestly who cares? Most guys wash out within 3-4 years and end up training or coaching the rest of their lives. Kids from the park who are skilled and have a chip will always make it because talent cant be denied. Non existe issue.
When we were growing up, sure. Now, nah. Connections breh. Sure, roses will still grow from the concrete but it's going to likely be kids that have had direction for some years.
The price of the training camps these parents put these kids in is crazy. They're so skilled now at a young age. The poor kid who just needed the right people around him growing to make it probably won't exsist anymore. Unless he's a physical freak of nature.
In my area, the local elementary schools 4th and 5th graders play in a basketball game against each other. The most recent one was last Friday. My son was not even going half speed and still put up 28 in three games. Each quarter was five minutes and he only played five quarters. It was pros vs joes playing out in real time.
How much is it to get your kid into AAU basketball?
Just curious.
Is there other options when it comes to youth basketball? or is AAU the only way for them to play team basketball outside of school.
School ball, if they have it, local leagues as well.
My son plays 16U in Jersey. Team fees were like 1500. They also travel so travel costs are incurred, plus they're gonna tax you going to the games, it's like $50 for a two day pass.
For higher level play, it's kinda the only game in town. Open runs in the town can only take you so far; iron sharpens iron and all that
This is dope. Team fees for my son are roughly the same. Gotta play against the best to get better. Like I said, if I didn't see a future in this for him, I would not be onboard with the cost, the time, etc but he's good and he's being developed as one of those ones for his high school. His 5th grade team finished third in the state and he was a big reason why. Team is so good, the school administration was cool with them using the school sponsored gear and the school team is running AAU right now against 5-6th grade teams.
