1. Who is considered a grade exception player?
ANSWER
See AAU Boys' Basketball Handbook (Section II. Eligibility E.)
An athlete who does not meet the age determining date may qualify to play if he is in the same grade as that age/grade division requires (EX. 12U/6th Grade, 13U/7th Grade, ETC) and no more than one year older than the age determining date for that grade level. You go by the grade of the athlete as of March 1st, 2007.
Example:
During the 2007 AAU season, in the 14U/8th grade division, a player would be considered a grade exception if he was in the 8th grade and was born on or after September 1, 1992. Which means he could not turn 16 prior to September 1st of 2007.
2. Why does AAU Boys' Basketball allow Grade Exceptions?
ANSWER
AAU Boys' Basketball eligibility rules parallel State High School League rules. Athletes that compete as grade exceptions in AAU Boys' Basketball are given the opportunity to compete with their classmates as they would in school sponsored activities. In recognition of the fact that grade exception athletes may have a more significant impact on a team at a younger age/grade level, the AAU Boys' Basketball program limits grade exception athletes to 3 per team from 8U/2nd Grade through 14U/8th Grade competition. Beginning in the 15U/9th Grade Division, there is no limit to the number of grade exception athletes on each team.
Athletes will not escape competing against grade exceptions for a position on their school team, nor will they escape competing against them on other school teams or for athletic scholarship opportunities upon graduation. This is reality in the school systems and in the colleges and universities of America.
3. I have a son who wants to play in AAU Basketball events, how do I find a team to play on?
ANSWER
If you do not want to form a team, then you will have to try and find a team for your son to play on. You should first try talking to anybody who plays or has a son who plays on a summer basketball team so that you can get in contact with their coach. If that coach cannot accommodate you then ask if he knows of other coaches looking for players or hosting try-outs. You can always contact your local AAU Boys Basketball District Sports Director at www.aauboysbasketball.org just click LOCAL CONTACT PERSON to see if they have any leads on tryouts or coaches looking for players.
You may also view your local district website and see if they have a “CLUB LISTINGS” icon, which enables you to look at the teams within your area. Please be patient when looking for a team because it can be a long process. Also, have your son ask the players on the school basketball team to see if they are on a summer basketball club team. If they are you can use that contact as a way to find your son a team.
The next step you should consider is starting your own AAU member club. Locate some other kids in your son's age group and begin developing your team.
PLEASE REMEMBER THE AAU IS AN EVENT OPERATOR AND WE DO NOT HAVE OR PUT TEAMS TOGETHER. IT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PLAYERS AND THEIR PARENTS TO FIND OR START A TEAM. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS ONLY GENERAL GUIDELINES. THE AAU DOES NOT ENDORSE ANY PARTICULAR ORGANIZATIONAL PROCESS OR CLAIM TO HAVE EXACT KNOWLEDGE ON HOW TO START A CLUB, TEAM OR FIND A TEAM TO PLAY ON.
4. How do I get club membership for my basketball program?
ANSWER
The first thing you need to do is visit our web site at www.aausports.org or call the AAU National Headquarters to receive a Club Membership Application. After you choose and pay for the type of club membership that fits your teams needs then you can start assembling your team. Each athlete and coach on your team is required to have an individual AAU membership. These memberships can be purchased at our web site at www.aausports.org . The prices for club membership are Club Level 1 $30, Club Level 2 $60 and Club Level 3 $300. He prices for individual membership is $12 or $14(added benefit) for athletes and $14 or $16 for coaches.
Visit www.aauboysbasketball.org and obtain a Boys' Basketball Handbook by clicking on Info/Rules. This will help you with you all age/eligibility questions and make you knowledgeable of AAU rules and regulations. You should then contact your local Boys' Basketball Sports Director or visit their website, which you can find at www.aauboysbasketball.org . Check “Find An Event” for information on upcoming events.
5. Can I play in the Division II National Championships if I qualified for the Division I National Championships?
ANSWER
(See AAU Boys' Basketball Handbook Section IV. B. National Championship #2 , Letter F.)
NO, a player that is on roster of a team(in their age division) which qualifies to go to a Division I National Championship may not play in the Division II National Championships.
6 . May a player, play in two age divisions?
ANSWER
(See AAU Boys' Basketball Handbook Section II. Eligibility-Letter G #3)
YES, a player may participate in a maximum of three age/grade divisions of the AAU Boys ‘ Basketball program for which he can qualify. Players that compete in more than one age/grade division must compete with the same AAU club.
7. How can a team qualify to play in an AAU National Championship?
ANSWER(Several Ways)
(See AAU Boys' Basketball Handbook Section V. National Championship- A. National Championship Qualifying Requirements)
A team must qualify in a District Championship to compete in a National Championship (EXCEPT THE HOST TEAM). Exception: In the 8:Under/2nd Grade division, 9:Under/3rd Grade division and in the Senior Boys, all teams that compete in the District Qualifier are eligible to participate in the National Championship. Teams may also qualify by earning a bid in the Easter Classic, Spring Classic II or any AAU Super Regional Championship. If your team earns a bid through one of these tournaments you are still required to play in your District Qualifier. Teams may also qualify for nationals based on their finish in the previous year national championships.
8. How do I find out what tournaments/leagues are being hosted in my area?
ANSWER
Please visit our web address at www.aauboysbasketball.org, click on {Local Contacts and Events}. Find the District you live in and contact your local Sports Director or visit their website.
Visit www.aauboysbasketball.org and click on District Websites .
Please visit www.aausports.org click on EVENTS CALENDAR, and then select Local Events.
If no events are listed for your area, contact the representative listed for your area and request tournament information on the AAU events in your area.
9. How much does it cost to become a member of the AAU and how long does the membership last?
ANSWER
AAU player memberships are $12 or $14 per player, per year (August 31 – September 1)
AAU coaches memberships are $14 or $16 per coach, per year (August 31 – September 1)
10. May I have a player, play on my team that does not live in my District?
ANSWER -YES
(See AAU Boys' Basketball Handbook Section II. Eligibility – H. Residency)
You may have up to three cross boundary players on your team, but they must be from a District that geographically borders your District.
Please visit www.aauboysbasketball.org to see what District geographically borders your District.
For example, if you lived in South Carolina you could have a maximum of three players from North Carolina and/or Georgia.
11. How many cross boundary players can I have on my team?
ANSWER
(See AAU Boys' Basketball Handbook Section II Eligibility – H. Residency)
There shall be a maximum of three cross boundary athletes on a roster at any time. This rule applies to all age divisions. Cross Boundary athletes must be declared on districts original roster.
12. May a player, play in two different state/district qualifiers?
ANSWER
NO, a play may not play in two different District Qualifiers.
13. How do I find out when and where my District Qualifier is being hosted?
ANSWER
The first step you should take is to go to www.aauboysbasketball.org and click on local contacts and events. If you don't see a date listed for your district qualifier, contact your local District Sports Director.
14. If I lose a cross boundary player can I add/replace him with another cross boundary player?
ANSWER
( See AAU Boys' Basketball Handbook section IV. Team Roster – B. National Championship, #2-b)
YES, but the athlete must have been able to satisfy all eligibility requirements (regarding age, residence, etc.) unless approved by the Eligibility Committee.
15. May a player play on two different teams in the same age group?
ANSWER
YES and NO. A player may play on two different teams in the same age group only if he is playing for the same club. This player may only play on one team during a qualifying event. A player becomes attached (a member of) to an AAU club when he participates in an AAU sanctioned competition.
16. If an athlete playing in two age groups, may he play for two different clubs?
ANSWER
See AAU Boys' Basketball Handbook section II. Eligibility-G-3.)
No, a player may not play in three age groups with three different clubs. Please call 1-800-AAU-4USA if you have any special circumstances.
17. My district qualifier has concluded and I have not received my National Championship entry packet, what should I do?
ANSWER
All of the entry packets are posted on the AAU Boys Basketball website. Please visit www.aauboysbasketball.org to get your entry packet.
18. My team has qualified to go to the National Championships, when is the last day I can make additions and subtractions to my roster?
ANSWER
The last day you can make additions and subtractions to your National Championship roster is the entry deadline date for that tournament.
19. May I add a player to my National Championship roster that did not participate in my district qualifier?
ANSWER
Yes, you can add a player to your National Championship roster if that athlete could have satisfied all eligibility requirements regarding (age, residence, etc.) at the time the District Championship was contested.
20. May a girl play on an AAU Boys' Basketball team?
ANSWER
A female athlete may not participate in AAU Boys' Basketball events.