AAU Open Letter

#2 posting 11.2.2007
your daily dose of girls basketball news & information

AAU OPEN LETTER
MINNESOTA AAU – Girls Basketball

“IF YOU ARE NOT PLAYING IN AAU COMPETITIVE EVENTS,
DON’T COUNT ON PLAYING HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY LEVEL COMPETITION.”

I have been very fortunate in 25 plus years of coaching to have coached hundreds of wonderful student/athletes in the game of basketball. I have coached several thousand games of basketball at the community traveling, high school, spring-summer-fall AAU, State AAU Championship and National AAU Tournament level of competition. Currently, I’m still coaching high school basketball. At this time of year high school coaches all over the country will be trying to decide who makes their team, generally 8-10 players will get the significant minutes of playing time on the varsity. Most all coaches will tell you at the varsity level, the better players will play. We all take into consideration attitude, academic progress/success, leadership, sportsmanship, and team chemistry. But one factor determines most playing time for members of a team, their ability to play the game. Based on my experience and my observations over the years, the players who have chosen to play AAU competitive events have a distinct advantage of being in the 8-10 players getting the majority of varsity playing time.

In addition, make sure you are playing for a genuine AAU team/club. Buy your AAU membership (which includes insurance coverage) and make sure you are playing in sanctioned AAU events. Why? Because, quite simply, that is where the best players come to play. It has been that way since AAU was available in Minnesota, it is that way currently, and it will always be the place where the best come to play. It is your opportunity to grow and improve by playing with and against the best high school basketball players in Minnesota. Coaches and players, regardless of the trophy you are holding from playing on a community team, or playing in traveling or recreation level basketball leagues, or playing in spring/summer recreation level tournaments, players will not make the top 8-10 players on your high school varsity team and your teams will not be successful, as well.

It is also my observation over the years that the level of play at the Varsity, Junior Varsity, Sophomore, and 9th grade levels has improved drastically in the past 15 years. I firmly believe this is because AAU in Minnesota has provided an excellent spring/summer opportunity for our student/athletes to get better, improve their skills and ability. Those players who have chosen to play with and against the best competition in Minnesota have gone back to their high school programs with an advantage and I know my teams have been better in Minnesota High School basketball because our players improved so much through AAU competition. Take a look at the rosters on any of the top teams in your conference. Look at the rosters of the top teams in your section. Look at the kids on the teams in the MSHSL State Tournament in all four classes – and you will see AAU players that have played for AAU teams/clubs in AAU events.

Good luck to all players and coaches, have a great season!

Dave Preller
Head Coach - Woodbury Girls Basketball
Minnesota AAU Director of Girls Basketball
National AAU Girls Basketball Executive Board

“Be the best you can be. AAU – where the best competition is, where you play with the best, against the best, so you have the best opportunity to become the best you can be.”

Thanks to the readers for the help. If you have news, go to my profile and email me.

next up: college reports, later today the AAU Week that was with players and teams of the week.