A little more than a month ago Adrian Wojnarowski wrote an article on the recruiting advantage that Coach K has by coaching the USA National Team. There were a fare share of people that agreed and disagreed with the article. Think what you want, almost everything they do benefits recruiting and their image. Speaking at coaches' clinics throughout the country is another example of gaining a recruiting advantage, especially if the clinic is run by prominent HS or AAU coaches. Do you think coaching Team USA is an advantage?
Of course it's an advantage to coach potential recruits or to have access to them. I don't think it's the main reason why these coaches do it but it certainly doesn't hurt them in recruiting. It's an honor to have a USA across your chest and if by chance it helps with recruiting, then coaches will do it.
Do you think it's a little odd that the three biggest recruits that Coach K brought in this year at Duke all have been playing for the US Junior National (16u-19u) teams for the last several years? He has a different kind of access to them because he is the Senior National Team coach. Another question to ask is, does coaching LeBron, Kobe, and Carmelo create an advantage in recruiting. It sure does. Why? "We could use you like we used LeBron." "This is a set that we used for Kobe that I think we could run for you." Wouldn't that peak your interest a little bit as a recruit or a parent?
Another interesting tidbit is that Tyler Lydon, a Syracuse commit, was a late addition to tryout for US 18U team this past summer. He made the team as well. He clearly helped the team as well, as they won a gold medal at the 18U FIBA Americas tournament. What people don't always see is that Jim Boehiem, his future coach, is in charge of the committee to select these teams. A little, "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours." It was clearly for recruiting, regardless of how well Lydon did.
Well, why don't other coaches do the same thing? They are trying. Billy Donovan of Florida, Sean Miller oF Arizona, Shaka Smart of VCU, John Beilien of Michigan, etc., have all done a stint of coaching for the US at the younger levels. Does it make them a better coach? Absolutely, they get to bounce ideas of different coaches that could have very different philosophies in a lot of different things. Along with playing against countries that have completely different philosophies in regards to playing the game. At the same time, it gives them access to potential recruits that they would never have if they didn't try. A few of the coaches haven't coached the younger squads but working for USA Basketball is never a bad thing.
It's a two street as well. Coaches get to see a different side of the athletes that they normally wouldn't see. At the same time, athletes get to see the coaches differently than others would. They get to see how they operate in practice, how they use film to teach, and how they communicate with their players. It should give the athletes an idea if they actually want to play for that certain coach. That's a huge plus when trying to figure out the recruiting process.
If you stop by any Division One practice you will notice that certain assistant coaches do very little or nothing in regards to coaching. Why? They are strictly recruiters. Their sole job is to find/recruit players to come to their school. It's not the case everywhere but it happens a lot more than people know about. If you can't recruit, then you technically can't coach, because you will be out of a job quickly. To have "coaches" who just recruit shows the importance of recruiting. It's probably 75% or more of most coaches' jobs.
Ask any coach and they will take any recruiting advantage they can. They need players. If this wasn't the case, why do head coaches hire AAU coaches as assistants who aren't technically qualified according to the job qualifications? They want to get their hands on certain kids from certain programs and the best way to do that is to hire someone that has a relationship with a kid or a coach within a certain program.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Skill Trainers
Just like with anything in life, there are some good things and some bad things. Like the AAU scene, these "skill trainers" that are popping up all over the place. There are some that really have a grasp of what is going on and there are others that are in it for nothing but the money, and many in between.
I believe the first step to any skill session is to sit down and talk with the trainer and figure out goals. When I say goals, I mean, what does the athlete want to accomplish by working with the trainer? Do you want to make the team, do you want to make varsity, do you want to play minutes on varsity, do you want to start, do you want to play in college, and/or do you want to play professionally? These are all questions that should be asked by the trainer to order to figure a plan over the course of time.
The goal is to be realistic. If a athlete has never played basketball until the 10th grade and wants to start on the varsity team, that's just not realistic in most settings regardless of how much time the trainer has to work with the athlete. If the goal is to play in college or professionally then the athlete has to work on their own A LOT in order to achieve these goals. No trainer is going to make a college or professional player. It's all up to the athlete, they have to make many personal sacrifices in order to achieve their goals. Again, a trainer can't make that happen. They can push the limits to help but if you work with a certain trainer, regardless of how good they are, it doesn't matter.
I could be completely wrong on this but I think there should be a lot of communication between the skills trainer and the HS coach. Why? Wouldn't you think it would be important to have one of your players working on drills/skills that are important for your HS program? I'm not saying that the trainer can't work on anything else in regards to what the HS program does, but it's important for the development of all for people to be on the same page.
I also think it's really important that there is a focus on the HS season during the fall. Most of the drills/skills should be based on what the HS coach sees the athlete's role for the upcoming season. Some states don't have an issue with working with trainers because they are able to work with their athletes all year. Other states allow HS programs to pay for a trainer for their kids, as long as the HS coach(es) aren't involved in the skill sessions.
Yes, I know that an athlete's role could differ from their HS and AAU teams. Again, I'm not saying that athletes can't work on other skills but it's important for their improvement with their HS teams just before their HS season starts. An example would be a 6'5" player who is the tallest player in their HS program and they are forced to play a majority of their time in the post. During AAU, they are more of a wing player and that is probably the position they will play in college. They can work on their perimeter skills all year round but in the few weeks before practice starts for their HS team, it's important that they are still pretty good in the post.
Does the skill trainer(s) actually work on defense? I ask because I don't know. I've seen numerous skill sessions and not once have I seen them work on the defensive side of the ball. Now, I've seen them play one on one and two on two but nothing with a true emphasis on defense. Offense is only half of the game, it's important to work on the other side of the ball on a consistent basis as well.
A part of the game is overlooked by many, including coaches, is the mental part of the game. Why is overlooked? It's not a part of the game that is on the newest Vines, or the new YouTube videos. Do the trainers talk about strategy? Do they talk about what to do in different situations, especially end of the half/game situations? Do they put you in situations to fail? Failure is a good thing for athletes. The best shooters from three only make 40% of them. That's a lot of failure and the athletes have to be able to handle it.
Here are a few other things that are important when choosing a trainer. How many athletes do they work with during the same session? You don't want to have 8-10 athletes in each session because there is too many down time. The athlete should be working constantly. Yes, there will be some built in breaks but they shouldn't be for long. You want to get the most amount of bang for your buck.
Who are the trainer's other clients? Don't you think it's important for the trainer to have an idea how to work with many different skill levels? Would it work for someone that is training NBA players to train a true beginner right after? Do they work with only younger kids? Can you challenge yourself by working with the better players or do you have to stay with kids in the same grade(s)? Those are questions that you will have to ask before working with anyone.
The last thing I want to talk about is, there are some skills that shouldn't be done by certain players. The main reason I say this, is there are certain skills that college and/or NBA players can do that certain players just can't. I don't mean it in a bad way but a lot of the time, the athlete just isn't ready for it. An example is in the video below with Kevin Durant.
Loading
This is an advanced drill. It's doesn't seem like it but it clearly is. Why? KD shoots around 95% from that spot without a defense. How many athletes can say that shoot that high from anywhere? Not many. So why are trainers making their athletes do these types of drills? Then they can say that the athlete is doing the same drills that KD is doing.
Another example is, how many athletes are shooting pull-up three's during their HS or AAU games? Not many and even less are actually making that shot. The athlete would probably get better by getting a bunch of inside-out threes, which are more realistic and game-like.
I deal with the kind of stuff in the class that I teach. I was told by one of students that he would never get into the lane during a game, so he was going to work on his one foot fadeaway jumper. Yet, he couldn't make that jumper, from 15 feet, consistently while on balance. I told him that it would be better to work that shot on balance. He then proceeded to make his next fadeaway, I laughed, he then hit the top of the backboard on the next one. My point, exactly.
This whole blog might seem like a knock on skill trainers but I don't mean it that way. I think there is a time and a place for them especially for challenging athletes. Just make sure that there is research is done beforehand to make sure you have a good trainer rather than one that is stealing money.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Derek Jeter
Last weekend we saw an end of an era for Major League Baseball and baseball fans. Derek Jeter decided to end his amazing career after 20 years. I do have to admit, I'm a huge fan of his. I grew up watching him play and he was one of the reason why I became a bigger Yankees fan after I moved to West Virginia. I wasn't able to watch him on a consistent basis like I was able to for the first 12 years of his career.
Derek Jeter will go down as one of the best players in MLB history, no matter what anyone says. To be sixth all time in hits, to help bring the Yankees back to relevancy, and help bring fans back to baseball are just a few things that he has done over the past 20 years.
If you ask anyone in MLB, not a single bad thing would be said about Jeter. Ask any manager or GM and they would take him in a heartbeat. That not only shows his character but his talent as well. Don Mattingly asked Yasiel Puig, "What player would you most want to be compared to when you are done playing?" Puig, "Jeter."
There are many doubters with Jeter as well. His WAR (wins above replacement) wasn't very good. His range isn't close to most shortstops. Blah Blah Blah. He is a winner. You never saw him jog down to first base, regardless of where the ball went. It was always an all out sprint. Why? That's how you are supposed to play, you never know what will happen once the ball is fielded.
So where does he stand as a shortstop in MLB history? And where does he stand in Yankees' Mount Rushmore. I have to think he is a top three shortstop. Cal Ripken and Honus Wagner have to be right there. As fas as the Yankees go. He's a top ten in Yankee history. Can't put him on their Mount Rushmore but that could change over time. He might be the second replacement with Mariano Rivera behind Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle, and DiMaggio.
I understand it isn't all about him but the Yankees didn't make the postseason for an extended period of time until he became the full time shortstop. They then won five championships, with him playing a huge role including hitting over .300 in all World Series games. He then became "The Captain," the first since Don Mattingly retired from wearing the Pinstripes.
The last thing I want to mention is the play below. I've never seen anything like it before and I'm sure it will never be done again. There is zero reason for him to be in the position. This play helped the Yankees win the series. I remember looking at my roommate in college dumbfounded. That play just didn't make sense. One of the best plays I've ever seen in one of the biggest moments for his team.
It was a honor to watch him play and baseball will miss him greatly. Here are a few more commercials that hit home when watching them.
Derek Jeter will go down as one of the best players in MLB history, no matter what anyone says. To be sixth all time in hits, to help bring the Yankees back to relevancy, and help bring fans back to baseball are just a few things that he has done over the past 20 years.
If you ask anyone in MLB, not a single bad thing would be said about Jeter. Ask any manager or GM and they would take him in a heartbeat. That not only shows his character but his talent as well. Don Mattingly asked Yasiel Puig, "What player would you most want to be compared to when you are done playing?" Puig, "Jeter."
There are many doubters with Jeter as well. His WAR (wins above replacement) wasn't very good. His range isn't close to most shortstops. Blah Blah Blah. He is a winner. You never saw him jog down to first base, regardless of where the ball went. It was always an all out sprint. Why? That's how you are supposed to play, you never know what will happen once the ball is fielded.
So where does he stand as a shortstop in MLB history? And where does he stand in Yankees' Mount Rushmore. I have to think he is a top three shortstop. Cal Ripken and Honus Wagner have to be right there. As fas as the Yankees go. He's a top ten in Yankee history. Can't put him on their Mount Rushmore but that could change over time. He might be the second replacement with Mariano Rivera behind Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle, and DiMaggio.
I understand it isn't all about him but the Yankees didn't make the postseason for an extended period of time until he became the full time shortstop. They then won five championships, with him playing a huge role including hitting over .300 in all World Series games. He then became "The Captain," the first since Don Mattingly retired from wearing the Pinstripes.
The last thing I want to mention is the play below. I've never seen anything like it before and I'm sure it will never be done again. There is zero reason for him to be in the position. This play helped the Yankees win the series. I remember looking at my roommate in college dumbfounded. That play just didn't make sense. One of the best plays I've ever seen in one of the biggest moments for his team.
It was a honor to watch him play and baseball will miss him greatly. Here are a few more commercials that hit home when watching them.
#Grindin
Every single day I see coaches and players talk about "the grind." People that grind are people that are working three jobs in order to support their family. Basketball has nothing to do with "grinding." Doing something you love to do is never a grind.
"Grinding at the gym today." I was grinding on the elliptical today for 30 minutes. You should've seen my shirt, it was wet and my light grey shirt looked really dark. I wasn't grinding, I was working out. Just like that 65 year old women who was getting her jazzercise on. During basketball season, I "grind" every day. I will even "grind" while sitting on my couch watching film and eating trail mix. Now's that's grindin'.
The best part of "the grind" is that every time it's actually exactly what they are supposed to do. And that is working on their game and/or getting better at their profession. People don't need to know about that because that is how you get better. Imagine a coach taking a picture in practice every time their team reverses the ball. That's how ridiculous #grindin is.
Same thing goes for all these trainers tweeting pictures of their "workout" guys after their skills session. Looks awesome, seeing kids with sweat stains on their shirt is always good for business. Makes me want to send my guys that way especially knowing all the #grindin they do isn't at game speed or in game like situations.
If you make a cool video like this I'll live with #grindin but otherwise stop
"Grinding at the gym today." I was grinding on the elliptical today for 30 minutes. You should've seen my shirt, it was wet and my light grey shirt looked really dark. I wasn't grinding, I was working out. Just like that 65 year old women who was getting her jazzercise on. During basketball season, I "grind" every day. I will even "grind" while sitting on my couch watching film and eating trail mix. Now's that's grindin'.
The best part of "the grind" is that every time it's actually exactly what they are supposed to do. And that is working on their game and/or getting better at their profession. People don't need to know about that because that is how you get better. Imagine a coach taking a picture in practice every time their team reverses the ball. That's how ridiculous #grindin is.
Same thing goes for all these trainers tweeting pictures of their "workout" guys after their skills session. Looks awesome, seeing kids with sweat stains on their shirt is always good for business. Makes me want to send my guys that way especially knowing all the #grindin they do isn't at game speed or in game like situations.
If you make a cool video like this I'll live with #grindin but otherwise stop
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Transfers
It seems that over the past five to ten years more players from their original basketball programs than ever before. This year's number was right around 675 from Division One basketball programs. That's almost two per school. Why are so many athletes transferring?
Everyone wants to blame AAU basketball. I don't really blame AAU at all. It's a matter of the society that we live in today. The "fast food" or "microwave" mentality is the world that we live in. Everyone wants everything instantly. When the player doesn't get playing time a starting job right away, they decide to get out right away.
Another part of our society that I believe is flawed and one of the reasons why so many kids transfer is the ability to deal with adversity. How many kids really have to deal with adversity with the high school or AAU program? They are usually the best players and don't have to deal with some working their tail off to take away their starting spot or playing time.
At times, Mom and Dad are there to help the kids deal with adversity rather than the kids figuring things out for themselves. This is something that college coaches don't want to deal with. Let the kids figure things out for themselves and get them to adulthood. No parent wants to see their child fail but sports mimic life. They will fail and they might fall on their face. How do they respond to falling on their face? Hopefully, everything they have learned over the years will help them get back up and try again or like the video below, fail harder.
AAU does play a part in it but not in the same way people think. The main reason the plays a part in the transfer process is because if a kid isn't happy with his/her playing time with their AAU program they can immediately head to another team and play a more significant role. That type of commitment or lack of commitment is what makes it tough for college coaches in the future.
Now, let's look into the reason why players transfer.
New Coaching Staff
College basketball has become a big business and if the coaching staff doesn't win, then they will be replaced. It can be really difficult to start over with a new coaching staff, especially after getting to know the previous staff for potentially a player's high school career as well as a few years in college. The argument for that in a real life situation is this, what happens when you get a new boss at work? Do you immediately quit and find a new job? Do you test it out for a while and see how they are and what their system is? Different isn't always wrong. Maybe the new system is actually a better fit for the player than originally thought. Don't close doors.
Not Enough Playing Time
The real question is, how many freshmen or sophomores start and play significant minutes right away at their high school? Not very many, especially at the bigger schools (yes, it happens but not as often as people think). I would say there is a distinct difference between a 18 year old just starting college compared to a 22 year old in his/her fourth year of college. Especially with the strength and conditioning programs that college teams have. Mentality and physically, it's night and day. Same thing goes for a 14 year old and a 17 or 18 year old in high school.
I believe I stated this in a previous blog but coaches will say things to recruits and their parents that will get them believe they are saying something else. "We could see you replacing this guy," and the players and parents hear "You will replace this guy." "We could see you starting next year," and the players and parents hear "You will start next year." Big difference in both statements. If players and parents truly listened to what coaches are saying, there wouldn't be as much misunderstanding.
Not the Right Fit
There are times that coaches realize pretty quickly that they made a mistake in a recruit. They probably won't admit it publicly but they don't get a chance to see a recruit play with their team and that a huge issue. Why? They can't really tell if they truly fit into their system. A player might be extremely talented but he just doesn't fit because he doesn't have the basketball IQ to keep up with all the new language and plays they have to learn once they get on campus. It's hard to trust someone on the floor when they can't remember the plays regardless of how talented they are.
Not Enough Time to Evaluate
Division One coaches generally don't have enough time to evaluate prospects and make mistakes in the evaluation process. The NCAA allows unlimited evaluations during July but only seven total during the school year. So, if the coaches get a late start on the process then the possibility of a mistake increases. They have a weekend in April but should add either another week in April or May because there is generally a big different in team dynamics after those first couple of weekends.
We always want to blame the kids and their parents for transferring. Sometimes the players and coaches need a fresh start. I understand the transferring at times. I transferred when I was in high school after my family moved 20 minutes away. I don't regret the decision at all and I believe it made me a much better person and it prepared me for college more than I ever expected.
Just remember this one thing...THE GRASS ISN'T ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE.
Everyone wants to blame AAU basketball. I don't really blame AAU at all. It's a matter of the society that we live in today. The "fast food" or "microwave" mentality is the world that we live in. Everyone wants everything instantly. When the player doesn't get playing time a starting job right away, they decide to get out right away.
Another part of our society that I believe is flawed and one of the reasons why so many kids transfer is the ability to deal with adversity. How many kids really have to deal with adversity with the high school or AAU program? They are usually the best players and don't have to deal with some working their tail off to take away their starting spot or playing time.
At times, Mom and Dad are there to help the kids deal with adversity rather than the kids figuring things out for themselves. This is something that college coaches don't want to deal with. Let the kids figure things out for themselves and get them to adulthood. No parent wants to see their child fail but sports mimic life. They will fail and they might fall on their face. How do they respond to falling on their face? Hopefully, everything they have learned over the years will help them get back up and try again or like the video below, fail harder.
AAU does play a part in it but not in the same way people think. The main reason the plays a part in the transfer process is because if a kid isn't happy with his/her playing time with their AAU program they can immediately head to another team and play a more significant role. That type of commitment or lack of commitment is what makes it tough for college coaches in the future.
Now, let's look into the reason why players transfer.
New Coaching Staff
College basketball has become a big business and if the coaching staff doesn't win, then they will be replaced. It can be really difficult to start over with a new coaching staff, especially after getting to know the previous staff for potentially a player's high school career as well as a few years in college. The argument for that in a real life situation is this, what happens when you get a new boss at work? Do you immediately quit and find a new job? Do you test it out for a while and see how they are and what their system is? Different isn't always wrong. Maybe the new system is actually a better fit for the player than originally thought. Don't close doors.
Not Enough Playing Time
The real question is, how many freshmen or sophomores start and play significant minutes right away at their high school? Not very many, especially at the bigger schools (yes, it happens but not as often as people think). I would say there is a distinct difference between a 18 year old just starting college compared to a 22 year old in his/her fourth year of college. Especially with the strength and conditioning programs that college teams have. Mentality and physically, it's night and day. Same thing goes for a 14 year old and a 17 or 18 year old in high school.
I believe I stated this in a previous blog but coaches will say things to recruits and their parents that will get them believe they are saying something else. "We could see you replacing this guy," and the players and parents hear "You will replace this guy." "We could see you starting next year," and the players and parents hear "You will start next year." Big difference in both statements. If players and parents truly listened to what coaches are saying, there wouldn't be as much misunderstanding.
Not the Right Fit
There are times that coaches realize pretty quickly that they made a mistake in a recruit. They probably won't admit it publicly but they don't get a chance to see a recruit play with their team and that a huge issue. Why? They can't really tell if they truly fit into their system. A player might be extremely talented but he just doesn't fit because he doesn't have the basketball IQ to keep up with all the new language and plays they have to learn once they get on campus. It's hard to trust someone on the floor when they can't remember the plays regardless of how talented they are.
Not Enough Time to Evaluate
Division One coaches generally don't have enough time to evaluate prospects and make mistakes in the evaluation process. The NCAA allows unlimited evaluations during July but only seven total during the school year. So, if the coaches get a late start on the process then the possibility of a mistake increases. They have a weekend in April but should add either another week in April or May because there is generally a big different in team dynamics after those first couple of weekends.
We always want to blame the kids and their parents for transferring. Sometimes the players and coaches need a fresh start. I understand the transferring at times. I transferred when I was in high school after my family moved 20 minutes away. I don't regret the decision at all and I believe it made me a much better person and it prepared me for college more than I ever expected.
Just remember this one thing...THE GRASS ISN'T ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Basketball Academies
Over the last decade there are has been a flux of "basketball academies" that have popped up across the US and Canada. Many of these academies have failed miserably and a few of have survived and thrived.
The concept of a "basketball academy" is a great idea as long as it's run the correct way. So what exactly is the correct way? The correct way should be to put the best of the best together and have them compete against each other on a consistent basis. To be able to practice more and then have some select games or tournaments against other academies throughout the country or world.
There are a few models of the academies that would be great examples to use. The first is the Canarias Basketball Academy (CBA). It's located in Canary Islands just outside of Spain. It has a slew of European athletes that are looking to play college basketball in the US. Their main focus is basketball and they have a school (I believe it's a loose term) and have SAT/ACT prep in order to qualify through the NCAA Clearinghouse. Their players generally qualify through the NCAA and have been placed all over the US including Seton Hall, Louisville, and Minnesota.
A few years ago, a top 100 US player was sent there by his parents for his sophomore year in high school. His name is Khadeem Lattin. His journey can be look at here. Although, his path isn't that of a "normal" top 100 recruit, it's definitely interesting to have your sole focus be books and basketball, and that's it. That article is definitely worth a read.
Another "basketball academy" that many people in the "know" of college basketball is tied in with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). HERE is what the AIS is all about. In reality, it really isn't a basketball academy but there is major focus on specific sports each athlete participates in. It is also government funded, which makes it much different than what we are use to here in the US.
The AIS has produced a ton of collegiate talent that we are use to seeing. Former #1 pick, Andrew Bogut went to AIS before he went to Utah. The next big thing to come from Australia, Dante Exum, just graduated from there in December and was just recently the #4 pick in the NBA by the Utah Jazz. Two San Antonio Spurs, Patty Mills and Aron Baynes, are products of AIS as well. St. Mary's in California has a pipeline from AIS to their campus and has help lead them to great success in the West Coast Conference.
In the US there really aren't any true academies like the CBA and the AIS but there are a few that are trying to emulate what these models are truly about. The first program I will talk about is IMG Academy. It's as close as anything we have in this country to AIS. There are several different sport associations that are tied to IMG. They have great facilities and really advanced nutrition and weight training for all of their athletes.
IMG has been a place where many pro athletes go and train during the off season and it's a place where a lot of potential NFL and NBA draft picks go to train for the combine and the upcoming season. It also houses a few of youth US National Soccer teams. They haven't had a "prep" team for very long but a few alums that most people have heard of are DeAndre Daniels from UConn, recent Syracuse signee Chris McCullough, and Jamari Traylor from Kansas.
The next two models that are probably the most well known in basketball circles are Findlay Prep and Huntington Prep. Both of these "schools" have their players (they technically aren't students of the name of the school they "attend," I know, it's confusing.) attend a local private school and then operate as a separate entity with their basketball program. The players from Findlay attend The Henderson International School and are funded by a Las Vegas car salesman by the last name of, you guess it, Findlay. Findlay has only been in existence for nine years but has a slew of D1 and NBA alums including Avery Bradley of Texas and Boston Celtics and Anthony Bennett of UNLV and now the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Huntington Prep is based in Huntington,WV and was originally started by Rob Fulford, now an assistant at Missouri. The players attend Huntington St. Joseph's Central Catholic school during the day and operate as Huntington Prep after school ends. Players stay with host families in the Huntington area. Many of their players are originally from Canada, Eastern Europe, and some African countries. I'm not sure how they are funded but they have done very well since it started six years ago. They have some famous alums in #1 pick Andrew Wiggins and Minnesota Timberwolves' backup center Gorgui Dieng.
I won't mention the many failures that have happened all over the country but the main reason they fail is because they lack funding. It doesn't help that they will oversell what they have when they don't really have it. Besides the lack of funding there is rarely a school association or a school to attend which is key for many of the athletes at the school because they need to get qualified through the NCAA Clearinghouse.
As with many other things in life, most of the issues come down to money. An adult is trying to take advantage of families that are looking for their son to get a full scholarship to a university or college. Would you really want to give your son away to someone you don't know, someone that you are giving $10,000 to, and mostly importantly someone that doesn't truly have the best interests of your son in mind (some times they do)? What about having your son living in a "apartment" that has nothing but the "school's" basketball players with no adult supervision? These are worst case scenarios but I would be better for your son just to go to junior college and get proper education and legitimate coaching.
These are many of the questions that need to be asked when dealing with any new "basketball academy" in the United States. There are just too many unknowns that won't be good for any type of development (physical, social, emotional, and educational) for your son. Like with any new product, do you really want the first edition (like an iPhone) or do you wait until all the kinks are out and everything is figured out. Take this approach when it comes to making a decision regarding anyone selling this basketball product.
The concept of a "basketball academy" is a great idea as long as it's run the correct way. So what exactly is the correct way? The correct way should be to put the best of the best together and have them compete against each other on a consistent basis. To be able to practice more and then have some select games or tournaments against other academies throughout the country or world.
There are a few models of the academies that would be great examples to use. The first is the Canarias Basketball Academy (CBA). It's located in Canary Islands just outside of Spain. It has a slew of European athletes that are looking to play college basketball in the US. Their main focus is basketball and they have a school (I believe it's a loose term) and have SAT/ACT prep in order to qualify through the NCAA Clearinghouse. Their players generally qualify through the NCAA and have been placed all over the US including Seton Hall, Louisville, and Minnesota.
A few years ago, a top 100 US player was sent there by his parents for his sophomore year in high school. His name is Khadeem Lattin. His journey can be look at here. Although, his path isn't that of a "normal" top 100 recruit, it's definitely interesting to have your sole focus be books and basketball, and that's it. That article is definitely worth a read.
Another "basketball academy" that many people in the "know" of college basketball is tied in with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). HERE is what the AIS is all about. In reality, it really isn't a basketball academy but there is major focus on specific sports each athlete participates in. It is also government funded, which makes it much different than what we are use to here in the US.
The AIS has produced a ton of collegiate talent that we are use to seeing. Former #1 pick, Andrew Bogut went to AIS before he went to Utah. The next big thing to come from Australia, Dante Exum, just graduated from there in December and was just recently the #4 pick in the NBA by the Utah Jazz. Two San Antonio Spurs, Patty Mills and Aron Baynes, are products of AIS as well. St. Mary's in California has a pipeline from AIS to their campus and has help lead them to great success in the West Coast Conference.
In the US there really aren't any true academies like the CBA and the AIS but there are a few that are trying to emulate what these models are truly about. The first program I will talk about is IMG Academy. It's as close as anything we have in this country to AIS. There are several different sport associations that are tied to IMG. They have great facilities and really advanced nutrition and weight training for all of their athletes.
IMG has been a place where many pro athletes go and train during the off season and it's a place where a lot of potential NFL and NBA draft picks go to train for the combine and the upcoming season. It also houses a few of youth US National Soccer teams. They haven't had a "prep" team for very long but a few alums that most people have heard of are DeAndre Daniels from UConn, recent Syracuse signee Chris McCullough, and Jamari Traylor from Kansas.
The next two models that are probably the most well known in basketball circles are Findlay Prep and Huntington Prep. Both of these "schools" have their players (they technically aren't students of the name of the school they "attend," I know, it's confusing.) attend a local private school and then operate as a separate entity with their basketball program. The players from Findlay attend The Henderson International School and are funded by a Las Vegas car salesman by the last name of, you guess it, Findlay. Findlay has only been in existence for nine years but has a slew of D1 and NBA alums including Avery Bradley of Texas and Boston Celtics and Anthony Bennett of UNLV and now the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Huntington Prep is based in Huntington,WV and was originally started by Rob Fulford, now an assistant at Missouri. The players attend Huntington St. Joseph's Central Catholic school during the day and operate as Huntington Prep after school ends. Players stay with host families in the Huntington area. Many of their players are originally from Canada, Eastern Europe, and some African countries. I'm not sure how they are funded but they have done very well since it started six years ago. They have some famous alums in #1 pick Andrew Wiggins and Minnesota Timberwolves' backup center Gorgui Dieng.
I won't mention the many failures that have happened all over the country but the main reason they fail is because they lack funding. It doesn't help that they will oversell what they have when they don't really have it. Besides the lack of funding there is rarely a school association or a school to attend which is key for many of the athletes at the school because they need to get qualified through the NCAA Clearinghouse.
As with many other things in life, most of the issues come down to money. An adult is trying to take advantage of families that are looking for their son to get a full scholarship to a university or college. Would you really want to give your son away to someone you don't know, someone that you are giving $10,000 to, and mostly importantly someone that doesn't truly have the best interests of your son in mind (some times they do)? What about having your son living in a "apartment" that has nothing but the "school's" basketball players with no adult supervision? These are worst case scenarios but I would be better for your son just to go to junior college and get proper education and legitimate coaching.
These are many of the questions that need to be asked when dealing with any new "basketball academy" in the United States. There are just too many unknowns that won't be good for any type of development (physical, social, emotional, and educational) for your son. Like with any new product, do you really want the first edition (like an iPhone) or do you wait until all the kinks are out and everything is figured out. Take this approach when it comes to making a decision regarding anyone selling this basketball product.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
How Do You Want to be Portrayed as an Athlete?
Over the last couple of weeks we've seen so many different incidents regarding professional and collegiate athletes and their poor behavior. It's extremely unfortunate that these role models are making costly mistakes for themselves, their family, their team, and their university/organization. What I hope is that everyone learns that someone is always watching wherever you are.
Too much of the news over the past few years is all about the bad and that is why I don't like watching the news. What I really want to touch on in this entry is the good deeds that most of these athletes do.
Here is a perfect example:
I was actually at this game and there wasn't a dry eye at the United Center
Too much of the news over the past few years is all about the bad and that is why I don't like watching the news. What I really want to touch on in this entry is the good deeds that most of these athletes do.
Here is a perfect example:
Shavon Shields took it to a whole notha' level tonight! #Committed #Avery'sBiggestFan #BaldNation #AveryStrong pic.twitter.com/rF7rlA1PxX
— Chris Harriman (@chrisharriman24) September 15, 2014
I was actually at this game and there wasn't a dry eye at the United Center
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)