Get Good Before You Get Seen
- AAU Series -

Hi PGC Fam,
 
If you’re serious about the game, you’ll want to read every word of today’s email.
 
Most players really want to get noticed.
 
However…
 
You can get seen by lots of scouts, but if you’re not doing anything special to separate yourself from others, you won’t get noticed. 
 
So…
 
Get good at the things most players don’t do well — get really good at them. 
 
Playmaking…cleverness…poise…leadership…communication…defending…out-working opponents. 
 
And, of course, becoming a lights-out shooter.
 
Then you’ll have something to make college coaches take notice.
 
I’m not saying you have to wait until high school to play on a summer team…or that you shouldn’t play on one at all.
 
Playing AAU can be great as long as:

1. You get playing time.
2. You have a good team environment.
3. You play for a coach who helps you get better.
4. You don’t skip the other parts of the success formula (see below).

But…
 
Playing on an AAU team does not make sense if:

1. You don’t get on the floor in games.
2. You don’t get coaching that makes you better.
3. Your travel schedule prevents you from the other key parts of the formula.
4. The costs are just too high and your summer is too important.

 
So what does this mean for you?
 
It may be time to rethink your plan. 
 
Let’s talk about PGC grad and NBA star Jamal Murray’s approach, as it’s the same formula I’ve shared with all my players (including my son Isaac)…
 
I worked with Jamal in 8th and 9th grade, before he had ever played on an AAU team. 
 
Here’s what Jamal did: 

1. He built a ridiculous skill set

– He put in countless ‘unseen’ hours to develop skills that were off-the-charts.

2. He developed his basketball IQ

– He studied the game to become clever, shifty, and a master at reads. 

3. He played pickup with older players

– He played with guys WAY older than him regularly.

4. He did ninja-like mindset training

– His dad studied Bruce Lee and taught him his approach.

5. He found the best places to learn and grow

– This included attending our camps in back-to-back years. When he did finally play AAU in high school, he was ready to dominate (which he did).

 
And even though he had little exposure, he got everyone’s attention fast.
 
So, which parts of the formula are you missing?
 
If you want to get really good, here’s what you need to do this summer:

1. Develop your skills for 1-2 hours a day (preferably with an older, better player).
2. Find the best pick-up games around (at least 3 times a week), especially if you’re not getting great competition elsewhere.
3. Watch all the free videos we share to grow as a student of the game.
4. Attend a PGC camp before you need to get seen, like Jamal did.

I have an additional mindset training piece to share, but I’ll save that for another time.
 
For the good of the game,

Mano

P.S. We have 100 camps across the country and 6,985 dedicated players have already reserved their spot. So don’t waste another minute — Find one today!

P.S.S If you have a question or comment about this AAU series, just scroll to the bottom and leave a comment. I’ll personally respond to as many questions as possible