2016 Spring AAU Events

The star-studded class of 2016 will be making their final appearances in All-Star games throughout the country in March and April while the spring AAU season is about to kick-off for players ready to make their mark in 2017, 2018, and 2019. The NCAA has two live spring recruiting periods scheduled beginning in mid-April. Tournaments and dates will be updated as they become available:

ALL-STAR GAME                         DATE                             LOCATION

McD’s AA practices                                       March 27-29 (Sun-Tues)             Chicago, IL

McD’s Game                                                March 30 (Wed)                          Chicago, IL

Nike Hoop Summit                                       April 9 (Sat)                               Portland, OR

Jordan Brand                                               April 15 (Friday)                         Brooklyn, NY

TOURNAMENT / EVENT             SPONSOR                      LOCATION                                 

April 15-17 (Live Session #1)

Nike EYBL #1                                              Nike                                           Brooklyn, NY

UA Association 1                                          UnderArmour                              New York

Adidas #1                                                   Adidas                                        Duncanville, TX

April 22-24 (Live Session #2)

Nike EYBL #2                                              Nike                                           Indianapolis, IN

UA Association #2                                       Under Armour                             Westfield, IN

Adidas #2                                                   Adidas                                        Suwanee, GA

May 13-15

Nike EYBL #3                                              Nike                                           Hampton, VA         

Gibbons TOC                                               Gibbons                                      Suwanee, GA

May 27-29

Nike EYBL #4                                              Nike                                           Suwanee, GA

UA Association #3                                       Under Armour                             Los Angeles, CA

June 3-5

Pangos All-American Camp                           Pangos                                       Long Beach, CA

Super Soph Camp                                                                                         Atlanta, GA

2015 Summer Events

Scholarship offers have been going out left and right since the spring evaluation period ended. What players will continue their rise and what players will come out of nowhere during the summer of 2015? There are a few top camps left for the best players in the country to go head to head at in June before turning an eye towards July where college coaches will be allowed on the road for three weeks. Tournaments and dates will be updated as they become available:

·        July 8-12

·        July 15-19

·        July 22-26


JUNE EVENTS:

June 17 – 20

NBPA Top 100                                              Charlottesville, VA                Under Armour

June 26 – 29

Nike Basketball Academy                              Santa Monica, CA                 Nike

June 27 – July 5

U19 World Championships                             Athens, Greece

June 28 – July 1

Steph Curry 30 Select Camp                          Oakland, CA                        Under Armour

July 8 – July 12 (JULY LIVE SESSION #1):

• Nike EYBL Finals                                  North Augusta, SC               Nike
• Elite Youth Invitational                           Augusta, GA                        Nike
• Adidas Finals (7/8 – 7/11)                         Atlanta, GA                          Adidas
• UAA All-American Camp (7/7 – 7/10)        Charlotte, NC                       Under Armour
• Next Level Invitational                           Mequon, WI                          NY2LA
• Pangos Summer 16 (7/10 – 7/12)              Norwalk, CA                         Fullcourt Press

July 15 – July 19 (JULY LIVE SESSION #2):

• Nike Global Challenge (7/16-7/19)             Chicago, IL                           Nike
• UAA Finals (7/15-7/18)                             Suwanee, GA                       Under Armour
• Adidas All-American (7/15-7/17)                New York, NY                      Adidas
• NY2LA Summer Jam                             Mequon, WI                          NY2LA
• Fullcourt Press Cream of the Crop          Garden Grove, CA                 Fullcourt Press
• Las Vegas Live                                      Las Vegas, NV                     Big Foot 

July 22 – July 26 (JULY LIVE SESSION #3):

• Adidas 64                                               Las Vegas, NV                      Adidas
• Las Vegas Classic                                  Las Vegas, NV                      Big Foot  
• Las Vegas Fab 48                                   Las Vegas, NV                                                   

AUGUST EVENTS:

August 1 – 3

Adidas Nations                                                Garden Grove, CA                 Adidas

The Trae Young File

Name: Trae Young

Height: 6’1”

Position: Point Guard

High School: Norman North (OK)

AAU: MoKan Elite

Grade: 2017

Background:

Trae Young is the son of Rayford Young, who played basketball at Texas Tech and is 10th all-time on the Red Raiders scoring list. The 6’1” point guard plays for Norman North in Oklahoma and recently averaged 23.4 points and 3.4 assists per game as a sophomore. He played at the Nike Elite 100 camp last year which plays host to the top underclassmen in the country and this summer he has been invited to the Nike Basketball Skills Academy in Santa Monica.

AAU:

Playing for MoKan Elite in the 17U Nike EYBL, Young’s team is currently in second place with a 9-3 record and Young is sixth in the league in scoring with 20.1 points per game. He excelled in the second EYBL session averaging a shade under 21 points per game while knocking down 16 three’s over four games. He upped his scoring in Houston averaging 25.3 points per game although his outside shooting percentage dropped to 30%.

Young will not intimidate anyone from a physical standpoint, but the rising junior has no problem getting his shot off or finding open teammates for good looks. The right-hander has a quick release and deep range on his outside shot. He sets his feet quickly coming off a pick and can pull-up off the dribble. He also excels at using his off-hand (left) to push the ball down the court. While not an above the rim finisher, Young utilizes nifty moves combined with subtle head fakes to keep defenders off balance. At times Young can fall in love with his outside shot at the expense of generating offense for his teammates, but so far he has created a deadly 1-2 punch with his friend and teammate Michael Porter Jr.

Schools:

Young has offers from the majority of Big XII schools. He picked up an offer from Shaka Smart and Texas before the Lexington EYBL and after averaging 21 points per game he added offers from Kansas, Missouri, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and UCLA. UNC and Duke have also been in contact and UConn and Houston had extended offers prior to the AAU season.

Quotes:

“Well I do a little bit of everything. I try to be the leader of the team. I still need to work on every part of my game. I feel like I am good at pretty much everything, but I want to be great at every part of my game. I just need to keep working hard.”

“We’ve talked about it since the 7^th grade when we were playing against each other, but this is the first year that we are actually playing with each other,” noted Young when asked about playing with Michael Porter, the No. 3 prospect in 2017. “We’ve talked about it a lot, it’s fun playing with him it’s really easy for me.”

“I’m trying to enjoy the process. Not a lot of people get to do it. If there is a place further from home, that I feel comfortable with and my family would feel comfortable with me being there that is something I would take. Right now I’m not worried about it. Just trying to get better each day so hopefully I’m relevant to them when it comes time to make that decision.”

Troy Brown: A Triple-Double Threat

The Las Vegas Prospects are one strong weekend away from making the Peach Jam in their first season as an EYBL participant. A big part of their success has been due to the play of Troy Brown, the 6’5” point guard that is currently ranked as the No. 2 player in the rising junior class (2017). So far in the Nike EYBL, the Las Vegas native is averaging 14.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.

Last summer Brown turned heads including those of college coaches and NBA executives at the LeBron James Skills Academy in Las Vegas. This year he is continuing his strong player in the 17U age group, despite being one of the younger members of his high school class.

“We came from the Under Armour circuit, so that’s a different adjustment,” noted Brown. “I think mainly playing the 17’s you have to get used to the physicality and the height adjustment, that’s really it. That’s the major adjustment, and also the speed. Sometimes I’ll make passes that I think are there but because of the speed they aren’t really there.”

At 6’5”, Brown tries to model his game after Penny Hardaway. He knows he doesn’t have the end to end speed like a John Wall or a Russell Westbrook, but he looks to use his height and skills to contribute in a variety of ways. Brown’s idol In Penny Hardaway coaches his namesake of Team Penny in the EYBL, but so far the two haven’t connected during the tournaments.

“No, I haven’t talked to Penny yet, but I see him and say “wow” when I realize we are in the same gymnasium.”

In 11 EYBL games, Brown has scored in double figures in all but one. His best game came against Boo Williams in Lexington, KY which also featured Matt Coleman, another standout point guard in the 2017 class. In this game Brown scored 21 points on 8-11 shooting and added 11 rebounds and seven assists. With the score tied and a minute remaining, Brown scored four straight points including a contested shot under the basket where he was battling with the big men from Boo Williams. He left no doubt as to who the top point guard was in the class.

In two weeks, Brown will head to Colorado Springs to try out for the 16U USA men’s basketball team. Based on his play in the developmental camp this fall, Brown should be considered the odds on favorite to land the starting point guard spot.

While Brown is a versatile player that has a size advantage on most defenders, his outside shooting is definitely a point of improvement which Brown is more than aware of. The current scouting report tells guards to go under the pick and roll while playing off to avoid getting beat off the dribble. Brown knows this and has been focused on becoming a complete player. 

“When it comes to shooting, it’s just my confidence,” said Brown. “I work on my shooting 24-7 and a lot of coaches tell me I need to work on my shooting so that I can be a true point guard and be a threat and get to the basket. So, I feel like when I get my confidence I’ll be good, but my technique is pretty good right now.”

While not a volume shooter, Brown has proven more than capable from behind the arc. So far he has made 12-32 from behind the arc, good enough for 37.5%.

Heading into his sophomore season, Brown noted that he wanted to average a triple-double and he also wanted to be part of the team that knocked off Bishop Gorman with their twin towers of Stephen Zimmerman and Chase Jeter.  Unfortunately neither of those two events took place as Centennial was upset by Palo Verde one game before they would have squared off with Bishop Gorman.

“My sophomore year went pretty well,” said Brown. “I didn’t get my benchmark of averaging a triple-double, but I’m still shooting for it next year. We had a lot of surprise players so I tried to let them do their thing. Overall it was a pretty good season.”

As the No. 2 ranked player in the 2017 class and the No. 11 ranked player in Scout.com’s Ultimate Top 100, it’s no surprise that plenty of big-time schools are interested in the 6’5” playmaker.

“Arizona, Louisville, UCLA, and schools on the west coast I’ve heard from a little more” said Brown when discussing the early stages of his recruitment. “Duke’s always at my games. Chase is out of Vegas, so when they were there to see Chase they would come see me as well so I have a good connection with them.”

So far this spring, Brown has lived up to his lofty reputation with stellar stats on a young and promising Prospects squad. With colleges quickly picking up their interest, Sin City will be a popular destination next season where Brown’s goal of averaging a triple-double might just come true. 

EYBL Sacramento: Stock Risers

The first EYBL of the 2014 season took place in Sacramento and drew college coaches from all over the country. While the overall talent level might have been down a bit from last year, the overall talent pool increased. In just under 48 hours numerous players significantly increased their stock and / or college offer list. Here are a six: 

Stock Risers:

Kenny Williams, 6’3”, SG, L.C. Bird (VA), Boo Williams

2015 SG Kenny Williams shot 62% from 3

Williams gave all of the coaches that stayed around for the final game on opening day a treat. Despite severe jet lag, Williams went 6-9 from behind the arc in a loss to the NY Lightning. His hot shooting didn’t stop after this game as the talented shooting guard shot 62% from behind the line over a four game stretch. More than just a three point specialist, Williams showed off his one dribble jump shot and quick feet on the defensive end. Shaka Smart is recruiting Williams hard and the guard had initial offers from VCU, William & Mary, Old Dominion, George Mason, and Hofstra. Now he has additional offers from Richmond, Virginia Tech, Minnesota, Cincinnati, and Memphis along with interest from UNC, Indiana, Wichita State, and Temple. Last year VCU was on Devin Robinson and Robert Johnson before losing out on them, will the same happen to Williams? 

Deyonta Davis, 6’9”, Muskegon (MI), Spiece Indy

The future Michigan State Spartan certainly made quite an impact in his first EYBL experience averaging 19.5 points and 7.8 rebounds as Spiece Indy went 4-0 despite a completely new team from last season. In his first game, the sinewy forward recorded a double-double which made most of the college coaches in attendance extremely jealous of Tom Izzo. Davis has long arms and is a quick leaper which led to some tremendous throw downs in the paint. He is more than just a dunker though and went 2-4 from the three point line as well.

Quinndary Weatherspoon, 6’5”, SG, Velma Jackson (MS), Jackson Tigers

On Saturday night, Weatherspoon was on fire hitting NBA style three’s and picking up and-one’s while driving to the basket. Against Team United he scored 23 points on 9-13 shooting and drew several oooh’s and aaah’s from the crowd. While Weatherspoon averaged 18.5 points per game, he struggled with his outside shooting in the other three games. Despite making 4-6 in his efficient performance against Team United he finished the weekend just 5-27. Weatherspoon picked up his first offers from Mississippi State and Middle Tennessee State after the Real Deal In the Rock tournament but now has interest from Tennessee and Wake Forest.

Brandon Austin, 6’4”, SG/SF, GW Carver (AL), Alabama Challenge

Out of all the athletic wings in Sacramento, Austin might have been the most explosive. He threw down a few nasty dunks, including one on DJ Hogg and just like Deyonta Davis, an extremely quick leaper. While not a knock down shooter from the outside, Austin did average one made three per game. Over the four game stretch he averaged 12 .2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He committed to Anthony Grant and Alabama last summer.

Jahshire Hardnett, 5’10”, G, Gulfport (MS), Team Louisiana

In his first game Hardnett put up one of the most impressive performances of the weekend against Playground Elite. The 5’10” lightning quick guard scored 30 points on 11-12 shooting in a six point win. He drained both of his three’s and beat his man off the dribble time and time again. He might be short, but with his speed and explosiveness got a good look any time he wanted. Hardnett cooled off after his initial explosion but still averaged 17.8 points per game. He has offers and initial interest from Ole Miss, South Alabama, Middle Tennessee, Murray State, Clemson, Florida State, UTEP, and Penn State.

Levan Alston, 6’4”, SG, Haverford (PA), Team Final

While he did not hit as many three’s as Williams, Alston shot a sizzling 87% from behind the arc. In a double overtime win on Friday night, Alston scored 28 points while going 10-15 from the floor and 5-5 from behind the arc. On Saturday he went 2-4 from three in a loss to CIA Bounce but then went 6-6 in a win over rival NJ Playaz. Alston has an extremely quick release and is also able to hit a pull-up jump shot if his defender gets too close. Before the EYBL, the Philly product had local offers from Penn, LaSalle, Saint Joe’s, and Temple along with Rhode Island, ECU, Penn State, and Harvard. After the explosion Alston also heard from VCU, Wichita State, Seton Hall, Notre Dame, and Western Kentucky.

2014 Spring & Summer AAU Events

With the players from the class of 2014 making their final appearances in All-Star games throughout the country, the spring AAU season is about to kick-off. What players will coaches make a priority? Will anybody make a Myles Turner like emergence? So many changes are on the horizon and here is an early look at the 2014 Spring / Summer AAU schedule. The NCAA changed the live recruiting schedule and this year their will be only one live period in the spring. Coaches are now allowed on the road for one week in April and three weeks in July. Tournaments and dates will be updated as they become available.:

·        April 25-27

·        July 9-13

·        July 16-20

·        July 23-27

Tournament / Camp                  Location                      Sponsor

April 4-6

Swish N Dish                                                       Milwaukee, WI                             NY2LA

April 11-13

Spring Jam Fest                                                   Manheim, PA                                Hoop Group

April 18-20

Real Deal In The Rock                                         Little Rock, AR                  

Southern Hoop Group Jam Fest                       Hampton, VA                               Hoop Group
Houston Easter Classic                                       Houston, TX                                 Big Foot Hoops 
Las Vegas Easter Showdown                             Las Vegas, NV                              Big Foot Hoops

April 25-27 (Live Session)

Nike EYBL (Session #1)                                      Sacramento, CA                           Nike

Adidas VIP Exclusive Run                                  Dallas, TX                                      Adidas

Pittsburgh Jam Fest                                           Pittsburgh, PA                               Under Armour

Jayhawk Invitational                                          Olathe, KS                                     Under Armour

Spring Extravaganza                                          Minneapolis, MN                         NY2LA

Pangos Spring Spectacular                               Las Vegas, NV                               Pangos

Southern Exposure Showcase                         Augusta, GA

Kingwood Elite                                                   Spring, TX                                      Big Foot Hoops
Las Vegas Tip Off Classic                                   Las Vegas, NV                               Big Foot Hoops 

 

May 2-4

Adidas Nations #2                                             Miami, FL                                       Adidas

Spiece Run N’ Slam                                           Fort Wayne, IN                                

Howard Pulley Invitational                              Eagan, MN

May 9-11

Nike EYBL (Session #2)                                     Plano, TX                                        Nike

May 16-18

Nike EYBL (Session #3)                                      Hampton, VA                                Nike

Adidas Invitational                                            Indianapolis, IN                             Adidas

UA Invitational                                                  Houston, TX                                   Under Armour

NY2LA Invitational                                            Milwaukee, WI                              NY2LA

Southern Jam Fest                                            Hampton, VA                                 Hoop Group
Las Vegas Grand Opening                                Las Vegas, NV                                Big Foot Hoops
H-Town Classic                                                   Humble, TX                                   Big Foot Hoops 

May 23-25

Nike EYBL (Session #4)                                      Minneapolis, MN                         Nike

Adidas Orlando                                                  Orlando, FL                                    Adidas

May 30 – June 1

Pangos All-American Camp                             Long Beach, CA                              Pangos

June 6 – 9

Adidas Eurocamp                                             Treviso, Italy                                    Adidas

UA All-Star Weekend                                        Baltimore, MD                               Under Armour

June 13-15

Adidas Nations #3                                             Las Vegas, NV                                 Adidas


June 18-21
NBPA Top 100 Camp                                         Charlottesville, VA                         Under Armour

June 23-25

Nike Point Guard Skills Academy                    Union, NJ                                        Nike

Nike Big Man Skills Academy                           Union, NJ                                        Nike

June 27-29

Kevin Durant Skills Academy                    Washington DC                              Nike

July 9-13 (Live Session)

LeBron James Skills Academy                         Las Vegas, NV                                Nike (starts June 8)

Superstar Camp                                                Chicago, IL                                      Adidas
Next Level Invitational                                     Milwaukee, WI                              NY2LA 

July 16-20 (Live Session)

Nike Peach Jam                                                  North  Augusta, SC                       Nike

The Finals                                                           Atlanta, GA                                     Under Armour

AAU Nationals                                                   Louisville, KY
Peach State                                                        Aiken, SC
Summer Jam                                                     Milwaukee, WI                               NY2LA

Summer Jam Fest                                             Manheim, PA                                  Hoop Group
Las Vegas Live                                                    Las Vegas, NV                                 Big Foot Hoops 

July 23-27 (Live Session)

Adidas Super 64                                   Las Vegas, NV                                 Adidas

FAB 48                                                Las Vegas, NV                                   

AAU Super Showcase                                      Louisville, KY

Las Vegas Classic                                              Las Vegas, NV                                  Big Foot Hoops

Buzzer Beater Classic                                      Neptune, NJ                                     Hoop Group

July 31-August 4

Adidas Nations Tournament                         Garden Grove, CA                           Adidas