Basketball Recruiting: AAU vs. High School

I have talked many times about the importance that college coaches put on AAU basketball.  It doesn’t seem to matter much what the athlete does during the regular season, it is all about what they do during the summer AAU circuit when college coaches are keeping an eye on them throughout the country.

These college coaches put a high importance on this time because it pits the top players in the country against one another.  And when recruiting players, it really is what happens in May and July that end up being what the college coaches offer for.  Not November through March.

The reason I bring this up once again is a recent example I heard.  There was a talented basketball player who stands 6-foot-9.  He obviously has size on his side.  But on his high school team, they decided not to bring him up to play at the varsity level as a sophomore.

And early during his junior season, he was not even in the starting lineup.  He eventually started doing well down the stretch and ended the season being named second team All Conference in a solid league.  It is not the best conference in the state but it is usually among the top five.

When looking at his points per game and season overall, few college would be overwhelmed.  He had very little recruiting interest at this time outside of his height and potential.  But he put himself into a great position by trying out for a good AAU team and eventually finding a spot.

While this was his first year overall playing on the AAU circuit, this senior to be did well.  So well in fact that he currently has two mid major Division I offers.  While they are not from the SEC, Pac 10, or Big 10, they are still Division I scholarships that will pay for his entire college education.

Plus with a full month left on the AAU circuit, it would not come as a huge surprise to me if he added even more offers over that time.  This standout had major Division I college coaches calling him since he blew up on the AAU circuit that it would not be a shock to see a few of them eventually offer.

As I have said, the high school season is a great time to become and improve.  You obviously want to win as many games as you can with your teammates and have fun along the way.  But when it really comes down to it, there is no better time to shine than against national competition on the AAU circuit.  That is where the real recruiting interest comes and this shows how important it is to play AAU hoops if given the chance.