SPRING LIVE PERIOD PRIMER WEEK 1

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! If you are a travel basketball fanatic like myself, this is the most wonderful time of the year. The annual college basketball job fair or as we call it, live period events, begins this weekend. Teams across the country will be playing in front of college coaches of all levels, hoping to earn scholarships to play college ball for the next 4 years….well 1 year for some. Here is a look at some of the topics over the next 3 days.

1. THE SHOE CIRCUIT – NIKE EYBL, ADIDAS GAUNTLET,AND THE UAA will take center stage in the home of the greatest football team in the world. DALLAS,TX.All of the big time coaches will be here. The Nike probably has the best team in the country, AOT. Adidas has one of the best players in the country , Ashton Hagans. UAA has the best uniforms. All 3 are great circuits. Next week, they will be in Indiana and Atlanta.
2. WHATS UP WITH THE ADIDAS SILVER GAUNTLET?

Adidas has expanded into 2 separate divisions. However, the silver division has almost 200 teams from 15u-17u. Teams are thrilled they are playing in the Adidas gauntlet, but are you really getting more exposure vs being an independent? I think it is great for travel ball, but make sure u benefit from it. I salute u Adidas Gauntlet, you are doing something Nike and Adidas should do.

3. THE OTHER LEAGUES, NOT NAME NIKE,ADIDAS,OR UNDER ARMOUR. NY 2LA, Recruitlook, Platform, ITL Series,Hoop Group, and AND-1 are starting to make noise with their own circuits. NY2LA, has 40 teams in their 17u. They are in Dallas this weekend. Recruitlook has 26 teams, they are playing in St.Louis. ITL has about 8 teams per age group, they are also in Dallas this weekend. Hoop Group is in one of the biggest tournaments in America.The Pitt Jam Fest. Hoop Group has 30 teams in its showcase league. AND-1 /DTG will be playing its league games in Marietta, Georgia. This league is led by Cameron Jackson. it is 8 teams per division. Nevertheless, Independent circuits are booming, but will they get respect like the big 3? Starting next week, I will debut the Indy circuit top 16 poll.

4. JUCO SHOWCASE JUCO events are all over the country. The best one will probably be CBlack hoops showcase Sunday in Atlanta. These  JUCO events are catching up to the grassroot events.

5. TOP 15 EVENTS DURING THE FIRST LIVE PERIOD

1. NIKE EYBL DALLAS,TX
2. PITT JAM FEST PITTSBURGH,PA
3. UAA SESSION 1 DALLAS,TX
4. ADIDAS GAUNTLET DAL,INDY,DC,LA
5.  WEST COAST ELITE CLASSIC- CALI
6. SWEET 16 SESSION 1- MCEACHERN HS
7. HOF NEW ENGLAND- SPRINGFIELD,MA
8. RECRUITLOOK LEAGUE- ST.LOUIS
9. DALLAS LIVE- DALLAS,TX
10. CBLACK HOOPS SHOWCASE- N.ATLANTA HS
11. PREMIER SPRING SHOWCASE- WASHINGTON
12. PANGOS SPRING 16- LAS VEGAS
13. NY2LA LEAGUE- DALLAS,TX
14. GASO SESSION 1- TX
15. PLATOFRM LEAGUE- DALLAS,TX