The Struggles of Becoming an Elite AAU Program

With so many different AAU organizations across the US, there are a handful of organizations that stick out. AAU teams such as the Oakland Soldiers, Compton Magic, and New York Gauchos, are just examples of major AAU basketball clubs, that have been able to produce NBA talent, while also getting sponsored by major shoe companies. Nike, Adidas, and lately, under armour, are sponsoring the top teams in the country. One question the average person may ask is, how do you get sponsored by these shoe companies? That answer may vary, but winning big tournaments, while having big name "ranked" players on your team, will certainly give you an upper leg over other AAU basketball clubs.

As a coach and head trainer of my organization, Team Rampage, I would love to one day be on the same level as the Oakland Soldiers or Compton Magic. With my organization being new, and without the financial support, the struggle with trying to achieve this goal is very difficult. For example, if I have or develop a top elite player, and a top team like the Soldiers like the player I have, they have the power to lure that player over to their team, and have him play for the Soldiers, leaving my team behind. I can cry and scream, "Where is the Loyalty" all I want, but the reality is that, a team like the Soldiers with all of the sponsorships, and history they have, it's hard for a middle or high school kid to turn that down. 

Situations like this, happen every year all across the US in AAU Basketball. AAU can be a doggy dog world, with the powerhouses always on the search for talent. For my organization, I plan on changing the landscape of AAU, by teaching the fundamentals of the game. I may not be able to convince kids to play for me due to my lack of sponsors, but I can convince kids through hardwork, that playing for my organization will make you a better player, and prepare you for the next level. Us AAU coaches and organizations that have to compete with powerhouses in the area, must stick to the art of teaching "Real Basketball". The Shoes, the jerseys, the bags, will all eventually wear out, but what we teach these kids about the game will last with them forever. With so many different AAU organizations across the US, only a handful stick out, but to me, the handful of clubs that need to stick out, are the ones that teach the game and fundamentals to the kids!

-Brandon Bracy