Coach Al

695Hoops is the Beltway of Women's Basketball in Baltimore and its surrounding areas. It's always all about the girls.
Scout for Prep Girls Hoops

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

Looking through some of my old AAU stuff. Gabby Johnson-Morgan State. Kelis Fisher-headed to UConn, Nyceara Pryor- Sacred Heart, Tatum Greene- headed to Boston College. Those days in the gym were crazy.

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

@MikeNellis we hope

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

Two senior guards to watch . The best PG in the city and the best in the county for public schools. @27Dejaharry

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

2029 guard Sophia Burgee of Thomas Johnson was our top perforner today. She dropped 33 points in our fall league ! @FredFinestBBall

[Coach Beede @CoachBeede]

A rule change families need to understand: D2 now uses an age-based eligibility model, and D1 follows in fall 2027.

Not 19 before September 1 of the enrollment year? The clock has not started. Five years to play five.

A gap or PG year does not start the clock. A JUCO year does.

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

@sck8182 @JMtalkingsports @LegsESPN @sixers He'll play this weekend

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

The Cavs and Celtics will always let you hang around and have a chance.

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

Week 7. Pull up!

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

Excellent piece by my guy Tully Sullivan on why girls are quitting the game.
https://t.co/FmHpT6KrYN

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

@FrontRowKenny So was I. Wtf?

[Aaron Cunningham 🇺🇸 @HPBAac]

It’s “rug pulling” season right now at the D1 level…

High school kids in the 2027 class are being told they no longer have a scholarship offer. Signing Day is November 11th. There will only be more high school guys getting this phone call in the next couple of weeks.

If you’re committing to a school with more than 7-8 commits in the class - understand the math. 34 player rosters + DSA’s. That’s roughly 7-8 incoming freshman in most cases.

Schools don’t typically want to play freshman.

What can you do? Wait to commit. Do your homework. Keep an eye on the size of the class in the year leading up to signing day. Keep an eye on the roster in the fall of your senior year. Have a backup plan.

[I talk hoops 🏀 @trendyhoopstars]

WNBA Players to Record 30+ Points and 15+ Rebounds in a Finals Game:

Angel Reese 🆕
Breanna Stewart
Jonquel Jones

🪄

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

Angel Reese haters gotta be sick right now.

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

Teams that registered in the past 5 days- North Harford, Glenelg Country, Notre Dame Academy (NY), Severn Run, Blair, Baltimore Poly, St. John's Grey (DC). 59 in, 5 spots left.

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

@hedgemindx My group won this contest the year after New Edition. No record deal came out of it but we got to perform in front of about 10,00 people at the Providence Civic Center. With the "admin fee" he charged us we ended up paying to watch ourselves perform.

[William Payne @TweetsbyCoachP]

Recruiting Advice: as you navigate this last year of HS, seriously consider the school that has SHOWN you they want you the most. It may not fit or work, but find every reason to say no before you actually say no. Don’t worry about “level” or any of that. Sit down, and really look at what coaches have shown you are a PRIORITY to them and their program.

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

No lies detected.

[THS @thshoopz]

The economics of girls club basketball are changing FAST, and I don’t think people realize where this is headed.

Let’s be clear. Money changing hands in AAU basketball isn’t new. It’s been happening on the boys side for years, and the truly elite girls have always had some negotiating power. But traditionally, having your travel expenses covered was considered a pretty good deal.

Not anymore.

We’re now seeing parents asking for travel expenses PLUS CASH. And it’s no longer just the elite, program-changing players. Even role players on circuit teams are starting to expect compensation.

A big reason? The circuit wars.

New circuits are throwing serious money around to compete with the Big 3 shoe companies. And when you’re trying to convince established programs and elite players to leave, money is one of the quickest ways to get their attention.

I heard about a girl last year who received a deal worth more than her parents make in an entire year.

And seriously, WHO ISN’T TAKING THAT DEAL?

I certainly don’t blame the families. But here’s what happens next.

The superstar gets paid. Then the next-best player wants money. Then the starter. Then the role player.

What was once the exception slowly becomes the expectation.

My prediction? Within 3–5 years, top girls club programs will need their own version of collectives just to remain competitive.

And that’s where things get interesting.

You can have great coaching, development, exposure, college relationships and a proven track record of getting players recruited. But what happens when another program can offer all of that AND money?

I think we’re heading toward a massive divide between the HAVES and HAVE-NOTS in girls club basketball.

Some really good programs are going to get priced out. Not because they aren’t good enough, but because they can’t afford to compete financially.

We’re watching girls club basketball evolve from a development and exposure model into a player-acquisition marketplace.

The question isn’t whether money will change the game.

It’s how fast the club model will die for what comes next.

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

Great advice given here. Also, beware of the Instagram superstars who are hyping up a couple of players to make themselves relevant.

[Patrick Grady @pmg911]

Dear AAU Parents,

Please take a little advice from a parent who has been around AAU basketball as a Coach & parent for 20+ years.

Stop chasing imaginary rankings from paid services
like PGH and cool social media posts from programs that over hype players on socials because that is all they can offer. Don't get caught up with trainers who are only worried about your children when they are in their gym.

Ask real questions of program directors about approach on player development,
college relationships and track record of getting players to college programs. Ask directors about recruiting plans for their players. Pay attention to programs that retain players and are not out recruiting over entire rosters year over year. Track record & trust between families & programs matters; especially in a rapidly changing recruiting landscape, you better be with a program that is committed to all their players and not just a few high profile girls.

The top of EVERY circuit has really good players/teams but the bottom of EVERY circuit has bad teams too. Being on an EYBL or 3SSB team, and playing 6-8 mpg can really hurt your recruitment. Not every program is a fit for every player/family but PLEASE do your homework!!

Have honest discussions about potential level of play in college and where your child might fit. Be very weary of anyone who only talks about D1.

Winning games in AAU is nice and hopefully your daughter is competitive and wants to win but it ultimately doesn't mean anything and not many college coaches are paying attention to the score unless one team is getting smoked. In fact, a coach might pay more attention to how your daughter is acting as a player when they are losing vs how they are playing in a 25pt win.

Good luck to all as the girls get prepared for the High School season.

@nj_panthers @CoachJordanNJP @unitedNJaau @ShoreshotsGirls @newjerseyrise @ESBC_BlueFlames @NJLadiesHoops @TinyGreenNBS
@coachschoiceusa

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

One a day filled with big performances, these two shined the brightest. They will be a problem in the @IAAMconnected . A new era is upon us.

[Coach Al @695HOOPS]

@wanahooper @76ersfortheweek Enjoy it.

[Amber Mathurin @ambermathurin]

🗣️Why your GOOD player might be so called “UNDER-RECRUITED” ⬇️

I was speaking with a college coach yesterday (a very successful one)…..and got some really good insight into why they weren’t recruiting a specific athlete…

The talent was there. The IMPACT was the question.

Being a really good player and being impactful aren’t always the same thing.

➡️When you aren’t getting the ball, are you blocking, setting screens, or creating opportunities for someone else?

➡️Are you finishing plays, pursuing the ball, and staying with your assignment?

➡️Does your effort stay the same when the play isn’t designed for you?

➡️Does your impact hold up against better competition?

We all see players whose presence alone changes how the other team plays. Defenses shift. Protections change. The entire scouting report starts w/ accounting for THAT athlete.

‼️They’ve earned that attention by being CONSISTENTLY IMPACTFUL. Having the ability to make a play is one thing. Making opponents plan around you because you KEEP making plays is another‼️

Coaches are evaluating how yours can help THEIR team win.

That’s why “my kid is good” is only part of the conversation.

#GrowTheGame #RecruitHelp