High School Basketball
What is AAU basketball?
AAU basketball is travel ball outside of your high school team. Normally happens after your season, and during the summer, it allows you to go play against the best players, high school players in the country also to get exposure to the college coaches.
What effect do shoe companies and AAU programs have on high school basketball players?
Shoe companies, they have a lot of effect on AU and high school players now a days. Back when I played it wasn't any effect at all. But, you see, a lot of shoe companies—who doesn't want to wear a Lebron James' shoe or Michael Jordan's shoe. And in AAU coaches are starting to get these contracts with these companies and it will influence a kid if they know they're going to wear some Jordan's or wear some Carmelo's to go to that team and play for them.
When do colleges start recruiting high school players?
College can start recruiting high school players as early as the eighth grade. I got my first letter when I was in ninth grade. So, it can start. You know, they have scouts and people calling them and sending them tape about a player. And it can start as early as sixth grade, if they see a guy that is 6 foot 3, 6foot 4 in the sixth grade. And they are like, we need to keep our eye on him. Let us send him a letter.
How can an under-the-radar high school basketball player get recruited by a school?
It's hard for an under-the-radar player to get recruited. They really have to find a travel ball team or get into one of these All-American camps or something to really prove themselves to these coaches because under-the-radar is real tough.
Why are more high school basketball players going directly to the pros?
A lot of kids are going directly to the NBA these days because their families are poor. They see money right there and they go and grab it. Money without education leads to disaster. Unless they have a mentor or somebody they really trust. It can be hard.
How big is recruiting as a business?
Recruiting has always been big business because when you get that big name, you are going to sell tickets. You are going to go far in the NCAA playoffs which means more money for your school.
