Is there a travel league in your town? There is also club teams through places like Hoop Heaven in Bridgewater https://hoopheavenbridgewater.leagueapps.com/leagues as well as skill development programs like Hoops America https://www.ushoops.com/. Just some of the options out there.
Thanks. He's trying to quit baseball, but I'm not letting him...yet.
I have a similar situation (11 year old and 8 year old players). I have been coaching for the past 5 years at low/middle levels so I’ve been exposed to a lot of options. Some people may disagree but here are a few of my “musts” for younger ages… 1) keep it fun. If pushed too hard too early, he will start to hate it. Some kids want to be pushed but they are few and far between. Make sure you mix in a lot of fun 2) skill development is most important. Some parents want their kids to play AAU to say they play AAU. Most of those kids need to develop skills. It doesn’t need to be crazy stuff. Fundamentals, ball handling and shooting form at a minimum. Make sure whatever program you join is only focused on skill development and practices those skills way more than playing league or tournament games. Regular high level competition can wait until older ages. 3) when you do find a team, look for one that focuses on team concepts and uses positive reinforcement (in addition to skills development). There is no reason play 1v1 or 2v2 with 5 players on the court. Only the top 1-2 players get action and everyone else watches. When he gets older, the coach will need to win games so there may some iso, but at younger ages its the coaches responsibility is to develop everyone they choose to keep. Good luck.
Ha! Only in the kitchen with his older brother. In al seriousness, there are good games in the park when he is a little older.
I went through this about a decade ago, but you got some excellent advice from cowbell here and also from RU84 and phlop87. I personally recommend US Hoops for larger group workouts. For more personal ones I cannot recommend Q James more highly. Also JRR Hoops is very, very good. I also stress skill development and fun are more important than games at this point, but sure you need to play. Just make sure the coach is positive and team play is reinforced. Good luck, wish you all the best. One more thing, enjoy the time too, especially the car rides getting him to and fro. They end too fast!
Pete (Marston) has good workouts. he can be little tough to follow in regards to options of "small workout" vs "big workout" vs "Point Guard class" etc, but just reach out to him and see what options he has. usually multiple days per week to choose from on Green St or at Union Catholic.
Geo also doing clinics at St. Joes in Metuchen on Sunday - very affordable!
I wrote to Go Beyond asking what they had that was good for kids my son's age. Geo wrote back and said the Sunday clinic. Good enough for me!Geo also doing clinics at St. Joes in Metuchen on Sunday - very affordable!
The best guy in your area for girls is Phil Cronin. (CC Basketball AAU program). I don't know if he has clinics or just runs the club. They practice at New Providence HS.
My 9 year old plays travel out of Bound Brook, and we take kids from other towns. Our team could use some talent....badly.
Summit has a nice travel basketball program. The 11 year old girls are very good. We just played them in the JBL.
Are you offering immediate playing time or guarantee a starting spot as recruiting pitch?
I think Mitch brought multiple leagues and most regional towns together under one umbrella (JBL) so it should be all good now.
Mitch and John Z were the ones who started JBL, it was really formed because Garden State folded when Jimmy moved to Florida (I believe he passed away) so there was a massive void
There are bunch of things I don’t like about JBL, lol. But the competition is very good and the travel isn’t bad.
They were smart in how they set up the divisions, the downside of Garden State was at the travel to other towns was usually pretty long. JBL is much better in that regard.
