AAU or Select Basketball, What’s the Difference?

Athletes who want to play basketball outside of school and in a more competitive environment, join Select or AAU basketball organizations. These organizations allow athletes to play Spring - Summer. Some even compete year-round. AAU is a term often used to refer to a basketball team not affiliated with a school. The words have been used synonymously, but what’s the difference?

AAU Basketball or Select Basketball

Millennials have always used the term AAU Basketball. Growing up, summer basketball organizations were affiliated with AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), a member based multi-sport organization. AAU has provided a uniform standard for amateur sports since 1988. Think of a professional amateur association for the sport industry. It’s optional for basketball teams, not required. Directors and coaches form reputable and incredibly structured basketball organizations all the time without being associated with AAU. These organizations are called “Select basketball teams”.

The Select Process

Have you seen a school basketball team where ALL or most of the players are low skilled? One where players struggle with the fundamentals. Have you seen a school basketball team of 14 players? Way too many to have a good rotation. Those situations exist because school coaches have to deal with the athletes that are assigned to their school. There’s not much choice. On the contrary, Select and AAU basketball organizations have total control, allowing them to be as selective as they want with skill level and team size. If an athlete doesn't mean the requirements, they won’t make the cut. There's no complaint process that overrides the decision... no one a parent can complain their kid to a roster spot.

Select and AAU basketball teams have complete autonomy to bring basketball players together, without restriction, to compete on a high level. You’ll see local, regional, and national teams. It’s the same for all sports. Simply put, AAU basketball teams are selective teams with memberships to Amateur Athletic Union. Select Basketball teams are selective teams not associated with Amateur Athletic Union.