SHOCKING: A growing number of middle school athletes — mostly boys — are intentionally repeating 8th grade to delay their start in high school, giving themselves another full year to get bigger, stronger, and faster, which in turn dramatically boosts their chances at elite high school spots, college scholarships, and massive NIL deals potentially worth millions.
William La Jeunesse: “Of 8M high school students in sports only 7% will play in college.”
“On the other hand, the [likely] number one pick in this year’s NBA draft, [AJ Dybantsa], did 8th grade twice.”
CRAZY IDEA: How about we let more kids be kids!
Most players practice their shot for hours and still don't improve. The problem isn't effort — it's one mechanical fix nobody corrected early.
Three Level breaks it down.
Full breakdown at: https://t.co/uULLmIpUKh
#ThreeLevelBasketball#CoachDoran#Chicagoland
FAMILY. One of the most passionate groups I have ever coached. They demonstrate hard work, leadership, a love for the game. And the willingness to get better. Class of 29 dogs.
Next stop ➡️ UA Rise session 1 in Ohio. Thank you @BIG3UA@IL_recruits@Scout_ScottC@RiseCircuit
15u Under Armour Rise back in action this weekend for @PrepHoops Windy City war at romeoville athletic center 🍿
Sat 25th
- 11:15am V Breakaway Gold
- 2:30pm V Indiana Game
Sun 26th
- 10:10am V BP Hoops 3sgb
- 12:20pm V LVL Nat Team Rose
@BIG3_AAU @IL_recruits
It’s pathetic. AAU has helped so many kids. People talk shit about AAU because high school coaches get the damn kids for 8 months out of the year and we are supposed to duplicate that in 3 months. People are dumb. Yes, AAU has bad basketball but so does high school.
@BIG3_AAU 15U National-Daniel Schedule for @madehoops this weekend:
Saturday:
4:10pm vs Chicago Hoops 15U (court 3)
6:30pm vs Fueled By Faith (court 2)
Sunday:
3:00pm vs Man Up Basketball (court 6)
TBD vs TBD (TBD)
*all games at UW Health Sports Factory
If I were a 2027 High School Recruit…
AAU season means limited practices. Sometimes just 1–2 per week. That’s not enough to stay in a shooting rhythm.
You’ve got to get extra work in on your own.
Early in the week: high volume shooting. Less contact, lock in on form, build consistency, get reps.
Later in the week: game speed, game like intensity. Create shots off movement, simulate real situations, and build a scoring routine from all spots.
Chase efficiency. Move around the floor. Train with purpose.
Coaching AAU is truly an enjoyable experience. You learn how to manage parents and players. You have a short window to teach your teams schemes which forces your teaching to be precise and detailed.
You also have the opportunity to network with college coaches depending on the circuit you coach.
This is an amazing avenue to become a better coach while simultaneously exploring if coaching is something you want to do full time.
Big3 17U Rozema finished the weekend 2-2 @PHCircuit Chi Town Tip-off. A very competitive weekend, all 4 games were tight. Great to see our players navigate so many late game scenarios in one weekend. Excited to see us continue to mesh next week in Rockford.
@BIG3_AAU #Big3Fam
@BIG3_AAU 15U National finished the day with a 1-1 record. Got a great team victory, winning 67-57 against the Midwest Renegades, gives good momentum into the MADE Hoops next weekend.
@LKuprescen89840 12pts
@LeoPadilla_3 11pts
@Thereapaa3 9pts
@adamdelpreto 7pts