Basketball League FAQ's

We have teams for the following age groups:

• 3/4^th grade (~8 players)
• 5/6^th grade (2 teams with ~8 players each)
• 7/8^th grade (2 teams with ~8 players each)
• Currently we are not planning a high school level team as our focus is on youth development.

• At this point we do NOT have plans to expand.
• We intend to offer a very high level of basketball and age appropriate strength/agility training. We do NOT want to dilute our professional basketball trainer(s) and Strength Coach by having too many kids on teams including at practice and training sessions. Our emphasis is on quality and not quantity.

• We try to max out our rosters at 8 players per team to maximize playing time in games as opposed to maximizing revenue.

We typically add players through word of mouth or individual invitation only.; however, we do host open gym/tryouts in August every year. There is a VERY strong consideration given to players that have been with the program, but spots are not guaranteed year after year.

As we choose our teams, we use several factors:

• Player interest in basketball and their goals
• Player interest in practice and training
• Player coach-ability
• How a player fits into our philosophy and offensive system we run
  • We do not have a traditional point guard, but rather 5 basketball players. We expect all sizes and shapes to develop their full basketball skillset.
• How a family feels about our philosophy:
  • Emphasis on developing everyone on the team
  • Emphasis on playing like a team
  • Emphasis on community service

• We will work with those in financial hardship and offer financial aid through our foundation and accept players despite ability to pay. There are no “talent” based scholarships. Only “need”
• We have researched many club sports organizations in Arizona and feel that our fees are well BELOW market average for a 10 month program and the amount of gym time and basketball training access is well above average. We pay “fair market value” for basketball and strength trainers because they deserve it!!!

We typically have REQUIRED team building community service events every 3-4 months. These are great for kids and families to get to know each other outside of basketball and a way for the kids to give back to those that may have not had the same fortune as them (financial or physical).

• Ideally, a significant portion of our players are on financial need based scholarships. Opportunity for this may be slightly lower in Gilbert as opposed to other parts of the valley, but we are developing our outreach program.  There is a process to request financial aid.  View our Financial Aid Application

• 3/4^th
  • 2- 90 minute practices per week typically
  • 1-2 optional open gyms
• 5/6^th
  • typically have activities on M-Th evenings
  • 2-3 practices per week
  • Strength training 45 minutes 2x per week
  • 1-2 open gyms
• 7/8^th
  • typically have activities on M-Th evenings
  • 2-3 practices per week
  • Strength training 45 minutes 2x per week
  • 1-2 open gyms
• OPEN GYM – We also believe in “free play” for kids. There is a reason many kids like skateboarding, BMX, parkour…NO coaches, trainers, or   We want the kids to have fun first and foremost so we ensure they have “free time” 1-2 days per week typically where they can play 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, 5v5 or just work on something they want.  This is supervised, but there is no coaching.  Of course, the kids love open gym days!
• We have a lot of GYM time compared to many clubs, but as our Director has an orthopedic surgery background, we are careful NOT to over-train. Film review/homework review happens during gym time as well and it will not be 4 days a week of full court basketball.

GHC is essentially a 10 month program though we typically have a little open gym/mini camps in summer.

• Most games are played through the YDA League. This is a competitive club league managed by the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association.
• Information may be found at: https://youthdevelopmentacademy.com
  • We support the YDA and our high school coaches and hope to help them grow their league.
  • No fees for parents and/or family.
  • No parking fees.
• Teams include feeder programs for Highland High, Campo Verde High, Mesa High, Queen Creek High, Mesquite High and feeder programs for other Phoenix area high schools.
• Most games will be in the Southeast valley, but may have three showcase tournaments in other parts of the valley.
• Usually we have one game on Saturday and occasionally two games depending on scheduling.
• We may have scrimmages with other clubs throughout the year.
• We may add occasional tournament. Currently the club would cover those fees.
• We DO NOT plan on attending out of state tournaments at this point because we feel there is enough talent in the valley or that comes to the valley.

• Our uniforms and shooting hoodie are high quality reversible jerseys you would see a school team wear. They should last many seasons and can be traded or donated to others.  Your club fee includes one top and bottom, a shooting hoodie and a ball backpack.

TeamSnap