Question 1

What is AAU?

Accepted Answer

AAU stands for Amateur Athletic Union. AAU is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States. AAU is a multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs. Although there are many basketball programs in the region, not all of them are affiliated with AAU.

Question 2

What are the benefits of playing AAU?

Accepted Answer

AAU basketball gives your child the opportunity to play up to 50 more games and practice more than 75 more times a year. Playing with players of the same ability allows them to develop in practice and compete against teams with similar talent.

Question 3

Is the Rhode Island Magic a registered AAU program?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our club code is W37B74

Question 4

When did the Rhode Island Magic begin as an AAU program?

Accepted Answer

The Rhode Island Magic was started in the Fall of 2015 with 5 teams. Since then, the Magic has continuously grown every season in size and is one of the largest and most successful AAU programs in the region. The growth of the program can be attributed to talented and caring coaches who are passionate about the game, teaching players not only basketball skills, but life lessons as well. The parent testimonial section is a great resource for parents researching AAU programs, and we are proud of the quality and quantity of our testimonials.

Question 5

What ages and genders does the Rhode Island Magic offer?

Accepted Answer

The RI Magic has teams at all levels from 2nd to 12th grade for boys and 4th to 12th grade for girls.

Question 6

How does tryout registration work?

Accepted Answer

We offer convenient registration. We highly recommend you register your player online, prior to the tryouts, as it will expedite the tryout check-in process. You can also register in person the day of the tryouts. In that case, please arrive 20 minutes prior to the start of your tryout to register. A one-time non-refundable tryout fee of $25 is required, regardless of whether you pay online or in person and that covers both tryout dates.

Question 7

Is it required that my child attend both tryouts?

Accepted Answer

We strongly recommend attending both tryouts, but if you can't, you must attend at least one. It is extremely beneficial if your child can make both tryouts, as this gives the coaches more time to evaluate the player, which allows us to see if they are a fit for the program and also helps ensure that they are placed on the appropriate team based on their skill. Attending both tryouts is especially important and helpful for new players to the program.

Question 8

How do you evaluate players to ensure each player gets a fair tryout experience?

Accepted Answer

All of our coaches attend both tryout sessions to ensure the team selection process is thorough and accurate. Having multiple coaches on each court allows us to effectively run drills while providing every player with evaluations from several different perspectives. Tryouts begin with individual skill drills to assess each player's fundamentals before transitioning into small sided games and eventually live scrimmages, where we evaluate game play, decision-making, effort, and overall basketball IQ.

Question 9

How will players be selected and how long before you know if you made a team?

Accepted Answer

At the tryout, our staff will evaluate and place players where we feel they will develop and contribute best to their team. Players and parents will find out if they were selected for a team within a day after tryouts have concluded. The directors will review the entire tryout process as well as share information regarding the season at multiple parent meetings held during and immediately after the final tryout via Zoom.

Question 10

How many players will be on each team?

Accepted Answer

Each team will consist of 9-11 players. In rare cases, a team will have 12 players. In most cases, our elite teams from 7th-12th grade will have 10 players.

Question 11

If my child was on a Rhode Island Magic team previously, is he/she guaranteed a spot this year?

Accepted Answer

No. Every season, new players come to the Magic and some players develop differently from one season to the next. Every player starts each season with the same opportunity to make a team.

Question 12

How much will my child get to play?

Accepted Answer

Playing time is not a right and is not equal for all players. Playing time is based at the discretion of the coach, but all players should expect to play at least 25% of both halves of the game. The coach makes the decision about playing time based on a range of factors: player performance, level of execution, player work/focus during practice, game situations and match ups, and game strategy. 
 
Any questions related to a players playing time should:
 
 - Never be discussed or raised by a player or parent before, during or immediately after a game.
 
 - The Rhode Island Magic utilizes a 24 hour cooling off period, which allows time to organize your thoughts and have a meaningful discussion with your child's coach.
 
- Be discussed directly and in person - with their coach.
 
- Focus solely on your child. No reference should be made to another player.

Question 13

When/Where are practices held?

Accepted Answer

Practice times for all ages are 90 minutes between approximately 5:30-9:00pm, depending on their age. The majority of our practices are held at the West Warwick Civic Center, the Johnston Indoor Complex and Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School.

Question 14

How many practices are there in a week?

Accepted Answer

ALL TEAMS will have THREE opportunities to practice weekly.
 Teams will have at least one team practice weekly for 90 minutes.

Elementary teams (3rd-5th grades)
·       One team practice per week (90 minutes)
·       One skills practice per week (60 minutes)
·       RI Magic is excited to be a part of Higher Learning's fast-paced
        Basketball Leagues. Players will sharpen their decision-making
        and transition skills in a unique, high-rep format, which maximizes
        player development.

Middle School teams (6th-8th grades)
·       One team practice per week (90 minutes)
·       Movement session with Dr. Tim Swenson once a week
        Dr. Tim Swenson is a physical therapist that works with players 
        on injury recovery, prevention and also improving strength and
        conditioning. 
·       RI Magic is excited to be a part of Higher Learning's fast-paced
        Basketball Leagues. Players will sharpen their decision-making
        and transition skills in a unique, high-rep format, which maximizes
        player development.

High school teams (9th-12th grades)
·       Two team practices per week
·       Movement session with Dr. Tim Swenson once a week

Question 15

What happens if my child misses a practice or game?

Accepted Answer

Please inform the coach directly if your child will miss a practice/game. By doing so you will give the coach ample time to prepare a new practice/coaching strategy.

Question 16

How many tournaments will the teams play in?

Accepted Answer

Teams will play in six tournaments during the Spring season and four tournaments in the Fall season. Most tournaments are held in RI, MA and occasionally CT and games are almost always played on Saturday and Sunday. Most tournament sites are within one hour or less of Providence. In the spring, our top teams from 8th grade through 11th/12th grade will play an extended season through July and for those teams, there will be more extensive travel. All of the tournaments that we enter are a minimum of three games and all offer the opportunity to advance to play more games.

Question 17

Does the Rhode Island Magic participate in AAU National tournaments and/or, for high school teams, play in tournaments during the live period in July?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Beginning in 8th grade, our top level teams from 8th-11th grade will travel and play at National tournaments, as well as other tournaments during the live period in the Mid-Atlantic and South areas. Our 8th grade teams have played at the AAU Nationals held at the Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney since 2016, often sending multiple teams each season. For 9th, 10th and 11th grades, our top teams participate in the Hoop Group invitation only circuit. Those teams play through July's live periods and travel to Pennsylvania and New Jersey as part of that circuit.

Question 18

How much does it cost to play for the Rhode Island Magic?

Accepted Answer

For the spring, the fee is $785 and for the fall, the fee is $585 if you need a uniform package, the cost is $95, which includes a reversible game jersey, game shorts, and practice reversible.

Question 19

What does the cost cover?

Accepted Answer

The fee covers, but is not limited to, the following: tournament entry fees, gym rentals for practices, practice/tournament insurances, coaching fees, AAU fees, website maintenance, and other miscellaneous fees. For players that participate in our Fall and Spring Higher Learning leagues, the cost of participation for those leagues is included in the AAU Season fee as well. Finally, included in the price is access to the recruitment portion of the website. This is a comprehensive, separate website that includes college/recruiting information that recruiting services charge thousands for, but is being provided free to RI Magic members.

Question 20

How and when do I make payments for the season?

Accepted Answer

Once a player is selected for a team, full payment needs to be made at that time. Payments can be made via cash, credit card, Venmo or CashApp.• Credit card payments can be processed through our website.• Venmo payment can be completed at @RhodeIslandMagic• CashApp payment can be completed at @RhodeIslandMagic• Cash can be paid for balances at the first practice. Cash payment for the deposit can be coordinated with the directors.

PREVIOUS SEASONS ROSTERS

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COLLEGE AND PREP SCHOOL INFORMATION

What is AAU?

What are the benefits of playing AAU?

Is the Rhode Island Magic a registered AAU program?

When did the Rhode Island Magic begin as an AAU program?

What ages and genders does the Rhode Island Magic offer?

How does tryout registration work?

Is it required that my child attend both tryouts?

How do you evaluate players to ensure each player gets a fair tryout experience?

How will players be selected and how long before you know if you made a team?

How many players will be on each team?

If my child was on a Rhode Island Magic team previously, is he/she guaranteed a spot this year?

How much will my child get to play?

When/Where are practices held?

How many practices are there in a week?

What happens if my child misses a practice or game?

How many tournaments will the teams play in?

Does the Rhode Island Magic participate in AAU National tournaments and/or, for high school teams, play in tournaments during the live period in July?

How much does it cost to play for the Rhode Island Magic?

What does the cost cover?

How and when do I make payments for the season?

Frequently Asked Questions