Steven Tutowski

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[Steven Tutowski @TutkowskiSteven]

@Tuff__Crowd I think I saw you at Whistling today. My Daughter and I were at the table next to yours at lunch. I told her I was at the game he torched GS for 55.

[Russ Walbrun @RussWalbrun]

#2029Prospects More MKE. Kids: @GraceKenesie, @SofjaPaLdmric, @aubrey_mLada, @edenraymond2029, @ctutkowski2123, @KyLeighGrass_29, TENLEY NEAL and @peace_petzoLd

[Wisconsin Jr. All-Star GBB @JrAllStarWI]

1-On-1 With Clare Tutkowski (WI-2029)

⛹️‍♀️ @ctutkowski2123 @WisconsinLakers & more!

https://t.co/0gRDSgLSEA

[Derek Deprey @derekdeprey]

AAU tryout season has a way of bringing every hard conversation to the surface.

I’ve learned this lesson the hard way over the years... Tell the truth. Always.

Sure, that sounds obvious. Like, in theory, it’s easy. But in practice, it’s hard. Just ask families.

I used to think I was being honest, but looking back, I was probably too vague... trying to protect feelings, keep everyone happy, or soften the message.

That’s not clarity. That’s people-pleasing. And a little short-term people-pleasing too often creates a lot of long-term cleanup.

Tell a player exactly where she’ll stand if she accepts your offer. Tell current players where they stand in the program. And when a family asks what level of college basketball you believe their daughter can play right now (D1, D2, D3, NAIA or JUCO), give them your honest assessment.

Can she develop, improve, and change that projection? Absolutely! My own kid once proved a program REALLY wrong.

But knowing where you are today, and what it will realistically take to get where you want to go, is far less stressful than hearing nothing, assuming you’re slotted higher than you are, or aiming at the wrong level... and wondering why the interest isn’t coming.

Your job is NOT to sell every family on your program. It’s to give them enough truth to decide whether your program is actually right for their daughter... even if their answer is N.O.

They may disagree, choose another program, or not love what you say. That’s A-OK.

Most people will respect you for being honest. And yes, there may be that 1% who never talks to you again or avoids you at tournaments.

You. Still. Tell. The. Truth.

Because when you consistently tell people the truth, something else happens... Players and families from across the basketball community start calling YOU. And not because you’ll sell them on something or tell them what they WANT to hear, but because they trust you to tell them what they NEED to hear.

You may not land every player or keep every relationship. But you’ll build something far more valuable than a roster spot... TRUST.

I sleep better. They sleep better. And everyone knows where they stand.

Just something to think about.

[Clare Tutkowski @ctutkowski2123]

Here are a few of my highlights from this AAU season! Love this team

@WisconsinLakers @derekdeprey @JrAllStarWI @BradyJ_Peterson @PGHWisconsin @RussWalbrun

https://t.co/RPbR3QL1in

[Derek Deprey @derekdeprey]

AAU should be fun! I’ve been thinking about that a lot during tryout season.

Don’t let a 10-year youth basketball journey become miserable because everyone is chasing a “maybe” scholarship.

Yes, compete. Yes, train. Yes, set big goals. But don’t lose sight of why your kids fell in love with the game in the first place.

Find a team that enjoys competing TOGETHER… and just as importantly, enjoys being around each other. Be part of something you don’t want to leave. When the season ends, you should miss the people more than the schedule.

Enjoy the road trips. Laugh in the hotel lobbies. Celebrate the little wins. Handle adversity together. Become better teammates. Make memories your family will still be talking about 20 years from now!!

If a scholarship comes, that’s incredible. If it doesn’t, your kids can still walk away with confidence, resilience, lifelong friendships, and lessons that extend far beyond basketball… oh, and still play at a non-scholarship level!

A college scholarship is a possibility. Childhood is a guarantee. Don’t sacrifice one chasing the other.

The scholarship might last four years. The memories, relationships, and experiences your family creates along the way will last a lifetime.

Choose accordingly.

[Wisconsin Lakers @WisconsinLakers]

Lakers 2029 S40 with two nice wins today to advance to the Elite 8 of S40 finals. Next game tomorrow at 12:30pm for a trip to the final 4 on the line.

[Wisconsin Lakers @WisconsinLakers]

Lakers 2034 wins another event. Fun competitive group. Last game with a 33-22 win over Wisconsin Impact. Getting healthy and better every week. 3rd ship this year.

[Derek Deprey @derekdeprey]

Our Wisconsin Lakers 2029 S40 squad went 3-1 at the Lakers Classic this weekend. We got better at some things and found plenty more to work on. My favorite part of the weekend had nothing to do with the scoreboard.

We had two practice players join us for the tournament. They knew before they came that they weren’t going to play.

And they still showed up!!

They cheered for their teammates. Stayed engaged. Brought energy to the bench. Celebrated every good thing that happened for someone else. As a coach, you notice that stuff.

It’s easy to be a great teammate when things are going your way. It’s harder when you know you won’t even get in the game. Those two players reminded me what team-first looks like.

Proud of our entire group this weekend. We won some games, learned a few lessons, and got a little better together.

[Wisconsin Lakers @WisconsinLakers]

Shoutout to our 2034's who yet again are champs. Short handed but still got it done. Big time talent with this group.

[Steven Tutowski @TutkowskiSteven]

@SMHCarolinablue 15u 2029’s

[Steven Tutowski @TutkowskiSteven]

Clare’s highlights
Wisconsin Lakers(2029)
The Proving Ground Tournament 4-11-26

[Derek Deprey @derekdeprey]

Early season = Learning

New families connecting, players figuring each other out, trying positions they haven’t played before.

2–1 weekend. Won big, lost big, battled for a 4-point win.

Exactly what we need right now. 🏀💪

@WisconsinLakers @SelectEventsBB

[Derek Deprey @derekdeprey]

Great start to the season for our 2029 Wisconsin Lakers Select 40 squad with a 73-40 win! Connected. Unselfish. Just getting started. 🏀💪

@WisconsinLakers @SelectEventsBB

[Steven Tutowski @TutkowskiSteven]

Day 2 of the The Logistics World Summit & Expo in Mexico City!

Raul and Dalia are excited to meet you and become your BEST choice in logistics.

🚚 Simple. Smart. Shipping.

Choose Direct Drive Logistics
https://t.co/Ohorega3az

[Steven Tutowski @TutkowskiSteven]

Clare’s highlights
Waukesha West at Elkhorn courtesy of #freshcoasthoops

[Wisconsin Lakers @WisconsinLakers]

Claire Tutkowski 2029 G scores 9 point and grabs 9 rebounds for Waukesha West in an OT win. A good athlete and a very hard worker on both ends of the floor.

[Steven Tutowski @TutkowskiSteven]

We had a great time at the 9th Annual Laredo Motor Carriers Association Golf Outing!

#directdrivelogistics.com

[Clare Tutkowski @ctutkowski2123]

I had so much fun at the Freshman Showcase! Thank you!

@BradyJ_Peterson @PGHWisconsin

[Russ Walbrun @RussWalbrun]

#2029Prospects 10 early Milwaukee area prospects we like are: @MooreScooby0626, @Cayle_McGowan, @Kate_Boinski. @KyLeighGrass_29, @showtime_jordyn, @MiaDeprey2029, @ctutkowski2123, @peace_petzold, @SophiaMiLosh, @_niyastayhoopin.