AAU Basketball Questions

[SoonerTraveler]

Over the years, I have seen the occasional post about how dirty and corrupt AAU basketball can be, but I never really paid attention. As a follower of college basketball and recruiting, I would like to learn more. My interest peaked as I sat in the LNC yesterday watching the size and talent accumulated on the Baylor team. Just how does a mediocre coach like Scott Drew get so many good players? This question has me bumfuzzled. I want to learn more.

If someone can provide any links, research or insights on the workings of AAU basketball, I am in a mood to study the topic. No detail is too small. For example ...

Where does the money come from to finance the AAU teams? I know teams travel to tournaments around the country. Who pays for the travel and all the other expenses of having a basketball team?

What does it take to form or coach an AAU team? Are there any standards or qualifications? Can any Joe Blow start a team?

What are the motivations for someone to form an AAU team? Are these good Samaritans, or do some “sponsors” and ”coaches” have sinister reasons?

Who sponsors tournaments? What is their motivation for doing so?

Is there an actual “AAU” organization with rules, regulations, and headquarters, and a governing body?

What are some of the allegations of corruption or rule breaking that have arisen in recent years?

Are there good sources of information (links, articles, sites) that someone can recommend that are informative on these topics?

There are so many questions. Any information of the topic of AAU basketball would be appreciated.

 

[MsProudSooner]

I googled "Just how dirty is AAU Basketball?" and came up with several articles and even a book. I haven't read all of these articles. I just scanned the first couple of paragraphs.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/676365-aau-basketball-programs-attacked-by-former-coach-tom-penders

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger-college-basketball-blog/four-prominent-aau-teams-banned-july-events-due-220429088--ncaab.html

This is a book that might be informative: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Play-Their-Hearts-Out-Basketball/dp/0345508610"]http://www.amazon.com/Play-Their-Hearts-Out-Basketball/dp/0345508610[/ame]


http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=6587668

This link has links to other articles: http://www.testudotimes.com/2009/5/19/880631/aau-and-high-school-the-debate

http://www.getnside.com/sa/magazine/business/current/articles/2699-The_Not-So-_Amateur_Business_of_AAU_Sports/

 

[SoonerinNC]

Kind of scary. Particularly the "loans" to the players by the AAU coaches/sponsors. That gives them tremendous leverage to steer the player to the school of choice. Kind of bleak for the coaches that play by the rules.

No wonder some of these kids are uncoachable with all the attention, the air travel and luxury hotels.

Don't know how you solve the problem but people created it and people can solve it if they really want to.

 

[WillJennings]

It comes down to the coaches. Their are some good ones and some with their hands out. The one thing I believe is OU doesn't recruit the kids with coaches looking for something.

 

[thegreyghost]

This has been going on for a long time.....read Raw Recruits; I think it was written in the late 1980's

 

[BigTime]

Trav,

Read "play their hearts out". (it is in the google links above).

A lot of it is driven/financed by the shoe companies.

 

[SoonerinNC]

I also don't like the idea of boosters supporting the AAU teams. That is a major conflict of interest.

 

[SoonerWarVet]

I also don't like the idea of boosters supporting the AAU teams. That is a major conflict of interest.

I have a friend here in the state I live in. Her son (15 years old I think) plays for a millionaire's team in another state and now lives with the guy (flies back on the weekends when he can). Actually, quite a few players live with the guy and his family. He has a mansion and a pretty lavish living quarters, basketball court, and workout facility. The kids are homeschooled and are constantly flying on a private jet throughout the country. I know more that would blow your mind, but I'll keep it to myself.

You would be surprised who this millionaire's brother-in-law is. If you truly want to know, send me an PM.

 

[DenverSooner]

That seems very strange to me. I don't get why you would spend your money that way. I don't get why the parents would want their kids living with this guy (I would fear he was a pervert). The whole thing is odd in my opinion.

 

[AdaSooner]

I have a friend here in Kansas. Her son (15 years old I think) plays for a millionaire's team in Texas and now lives with the guy (flies back on the weekends when he can). Actually, quite a few players live with the guy and his family. He has a mansion and a pretty lavish living quarters, basketball court, and workout facility. The kids are homeschooled and are constantly flying on a private jet throughout the country (they just flew to Australia to play some prep school there and to play in a tourney). I know more that would blow your mind, but I'll keep it to myself.

Wow! No wonder some of these kids expect a handout, gifts and a promise of more when college recruiters start to call on them. I'm glad Coach Kruger refuses to play that game. But it gripes my rear end that other coaches are doing it under the table and getting away with it.

It seems to me that the answer to this problem was all too clear years ago. Scrap the AAU program that continues to breed corruption. It's unfortunate that honest AAU coaches who are part of the program for all of the right reasons would be punished along with the rest. Still, if the NCAA truly wants to level the playing field and make recruiting these kids fair to everyone, what other choice do they have?

IMO, the answer to that question is just as clear as the way to solve the problem: The NCAA doesn't want to deal with it. It's easier to look the other way until an outside entity breaks a story that can't be ignored.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Thanks to all for the links, personal knowledge and insight.

It looks like I am in for a snowy day in central Oklahoma, so it will be a good day to start reading all of the above. From what I have seen so far, I am in for an eye-opening experience.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Washington Post
The Gary Williams Interview

(Quite long, but some good stuff on Kansas State and others.)

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/terrapins-insider/2009/02/the_gary_williams_interview.html

 

[sys]

Washington Post
The Gary Williams Interview

(Quite long, but some good stuff on Kansas State and others.)

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/terrapins-insider/2009/02/the_gary_williams_interview.html

the stuff about hill's salary is factually inaccurate. hill was hired by huggins for 150kish. he got a raise to 300-325ish the next year when he stayed with martin, then a raise to 450ish the following year when kstate went to the elite 8.

ironically, hill is now an asst coach at maryland for turgeon.