Your player wants to join an AAU team. Where do you start? This step-by-step guide covers how to find AAU and club teams near you, how tryouts and evaluations work, what to ask before you sign up and what happens after your player makes a team.
Quick answer: To join an AAU basketball team, find club or AAU programs in your city that have a team at your player’s grade, sign up for a tryout or evaluation, and ask about practices, coaches and cost before you commit. Most clubs hold tryouts in the spring and fall, and many evaluate new players at a team practice when a spot opens. You do not need to join the Amateur Athletic Union yourself; the club tells you if a membership card is needed.
Key Takeaways
- Find clubs in your city with a team at your player’s grade
- Sign up for a spring or fall tryout, or ask about an evaluation at practice
- Ask about practices, coaches, cost and playing time first
- Many clubs fill open spots during the season
- The club tells you if an AAU card is needed
How do I join an AAU basketball team?
- Find programs near you. Search for club or AAU teams in your city and check that they have a team at your player's grade.
- Check tryout or evaluation dates. Spring and fall tryouts are most common. Ask about evaluations at practice if you missed them.
- Ask the key questions. Practices per week, coach training and background checks, total cost and playing time.
- Go to the tryout. Bring clean shoes and water, arrive early and play hard.
- Accept an offer and register. Review the season schedule and payment options, sign the forms and get the membership card if the club needs one.
Where do I find AAU teams near me?
Start with club and AAU programs in your city. Good signs: teams listed by grade, posted tryout dates and a clear schedule. See youth basketball programs near you for every type of program, and AAU age groups to know which team fits.
What should I ask before my player joins?
- How many practices a week, and for how long?
- Who coaches, and are coaches trained and background-checked?
- What is the full cost, and is there a payment plan?
- How is playing time decided?
- How many tournaments, and how many need a hotel?
For more, read what makes a good AAU team and how much AAU costs.
What happens after my player makes the team?
Expect a welcome email with the practice schedule, uniform details, payment options and forms to sign. The first few practices set the tone, so help your player get there on time with water and the right shoes. Before the first event, read your first AAU tournament: a parent checklist.
Where does PSB fit?
Where Pro Skills Basketball fits
Pro Skills Basketball (PSB) runs boys and girls club teams, often called AAU or travel teams, for grades 1 to 11 in 27 U.S. cities. PSB is one of 18 organizations in the Jr. NBA Flagship Network and a USA Basketball Official Youth Organization.
PSB teams practice 2 to 3 times a week with trained, background-checked coaches. Players join through spring tryouts, fall tryouts, or an evaluation at a team practice when a team has an open spot.
Each PSB city page lists open tryouts and evaluations by grade, with an interest form if dates are not posted yet.
Find tryouts and evaluations near you
More AAU guides for parents: What is AAU basketball? · How much AAU costs · What age to start · AAU vs club vs school vs rec · How to choose a team
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I join an AAU basketball team?
Find club or AAU programs in your city with a team at your player’s grade, sign up for a tryout or evaluation, and ask about practices, coaches and cost before you commit.
Do you have to try out for AAU basketball?
Most competitive AAU and club teams pick players through a tryout or an evaluation at practice. Some newer or developmental teams take players without a formal tryout.
When can my player join an AAU team?
Most clubs hold tryouts in the spring (about February to April) and the fall (about August to October), and many fill open spots during the season.
Do I need an AAU membership to play AAU basketball?
Only if your team plays AAU events. The club will tell you. An AAU youth membership is $22 for the 2026-27 year.
Can my player join an AAU team mid-season?
Often, yes. Many clubs evaluate players at practice when a team has an open spot.
What age can a player join AAU?
Many clubs start teams around 1st to 3rd grade. Most players join between ages 8 and 11.
Sources
By Brendan Winters, Co-Founder
Brendan co-founded Pro Skills Basketball in 2009. At Davidson College he was a two-time All-American and Southern Conference Player of the Year. He then played five pro seasons in France, Germany, Hungary and Greece.
What Makes a Good AAU Basketball Team? Signs of a Quality Program