Youth basketball used to be about fun and learning, but that is no longer the case.
In today’s world of Amateur Athletic Union basketball, kids are expected to commit to the sport year-round from as young an age as possible. Practice is constant. The pressure to perform well is immense.
Looking at various AAU basketball programs, coaches and teams focus more on playing in high profile tournaments and showcasing individuals rather than developing fundamentals and skills as a team.
“The emphasis is not on winning, it’s on showcasing your own individual talent,” seven-time NBA all-star Grant Hill said on NBA TV’s Open Court.