With the first hoops live period kicking off in full force today, just thought I'd share a quick observation or two before heading down to Boo Williams later today.
Just a couple of years after entering the grassroots game, Under Armour took some major strides last year on the AAU circuit. They developed a nice website, had a Finals event in Atlanta (close by to Peach Jam) and people took notice after Nike and adidas dominated for so long.
This spring, they are looking to take an even bigger leap, as they will have three 'regular season' sessions (beginning today in NOLA) and then the Finals again in Atlanta. They've even got an iphone app now where you can track scores and stats. In all, UA has 28 teams playing 17U this season, including DC Premier, Bmore's Finest and the DC Blue Devils. Similar to how the EYBL does it, every team this year will wear similar jerseys just with different team names on them and in different colors. If you haven't seen them though, every team's jerseys use the same font and numbers as Maryland's jerseys.
Nike has always dominated from an overall talent standpoint, but UA is making major strides in this area also. Josh Jackson, Rivals' No. 1 player in the Class of 2016 will be playing on the Under Armour circuit. So too will DeAndre Ayton, Rivals' No. 1 player overall in the Class of 2017. In all, 3 of the top 10 (that I know of so far) players in 2017 will play on the UA circuit.
In talking to a couple of prominent UA AAU guys yesterday, the brand is becoming more popular with the kids by the day and they have all taken notice of the Terps. The days of UA being seen as a hindrance on the hoops side are coming to an end.
Just a couple of years after entering the grassroots game, Under Armour took some major strides last year on the AAU circuit. They developed a nice website, had a Finals event in Atlanta (close by to Peach Jam) and people took notice after Nike and adidas dominated for so long.
This spring, they are looking to take an even bigger leap, as they will have three 'regular season' sessions (beginning today in NOLA) and then the Finals again in Atlanta. They've even got an iphone app now where you can track scores and stats. In all, UA has 28 teams playing 17U this season, including DC Premier, Bmore's Finest and the DC Blue Devils. Similar to how the EYBL does it, every team this year will wear similar jerseys just with different team names on them and in different colors. If you haven't seen them though, every team's jerseys use the same font and numbers as Maryland's jerseys.
Nike has always dominated from an overall talent standpoint, but UA is making major strides in this area also. Josh Jackson, Rivals' No. 1 player in the Class of 2016 will be playing on the Under Armour circuit. So too will DeAndre Ayton, Rivals' No. 1 player overall in the Class of 2017. In all, 3 of the top 10 (that I know of so far) players in 2017 will play on the UA circuit.
In talking to a couple of prominent UA AAU guys yesterday, the brand is becoming more popular with the kids by the day and they have all taken notice of the Terps. The days of UA being seen as a hindrance on the hoops side are coming to an end.
