This is a very interesting topic and one I've thought about quite a lot, as I am a parent of one of these players. My opinion is that these kids need a balance and as much as we like to think that their coach(es) have their best interest at heart, each coach has a job to do and his/her own agenda and of course they think that they should be the priority. The kids end up feeling like the meat in the sandwich and become stressed as they try to please all of them in case they get on their bad side. So I think parents need to be the strong ones and stand up to some of these coaches. Parents are the only ones who really will put their children first. And before coaches out there start getting offended by my comments, I know they are not all like that, but these kids will be coached in one week by maybe up to 5 different coaches, many with different opinions and not all of them will take into consideration the child's schedule for the week.
I tell my children it's important to be in a position of choice in life. That way if your dream of being the next Michael Jordan doesn't work out, the blow isn't as bad. So for 16 and17 year olds the priority should be schooling and we as parents have to help them understand how important this is while allowing them to have their dreams. Even though a lot of coaches in theory agree with this and tell the players the same,some only care about their own agenda.

as a parent whos child has also been in this position, i agree that schooling is important but a child who has good time management skills and the support of parents, club and coaches can do it all.If the child is struggling than no they will not be able to manage.Yes each coach has their own agendas but each should be communicating with each other in the best interest and development of their more elite players.And generally i have found this, but have also found that some parents dont always understand the system and they fall back on they know best for their child.
Generally and this is very general it has been my experience that the kids who are doing all this do well with their studies.
Yes its is good to have choices in life but never die wondering what if

Jeez, I hope I don't die wondering what that was all about!
Time management isn't about trying to do everything within a certain amount of time. Its about deciding what needs to be done in the available time. No-one will stay 15 forever. No-one will be able to play basketball (or any other sport, except maybe golf) forever. But a 15 year old can't be expected to see, or fully appreciate, that fact of life. The coaches who want these kids to devote all their spare time to basketball really should be responsible mentors and should be telling these kids to make sure they put something aside for the times when they won't be able to play or when they won't be able to continue playing due to the wear and tear that they are putting their bodies through. Everyone wants the best players on their teams, but when these kids grow up and leave basketball - as most kids do - will they have the skills necessary to get the best jobs? Any job? Its not likely to happen if all the kid has done while growing up has been dribbling a basketball. Time management! Give me a break. Get a life. Its not all about basketball. There's lots to do and kids need to know that basketball, even if they do put in all the work required to get to the very top, is only a short term career relative to the lifes they can lead and the contributions they can make. A dummy is a dummy for life, long after fame and fortune have faded away. Parents may well be the only responsible parties who can influence their kids and ensure that they reach a sustainable balance between basketball and everything else required in life. Please the coaches by all means. Please the kids by all means. But please get your kids feet firmly on the ground and let them have a life outside of basketball, because sooner or later they will need to start living that life along with everyone else who has ever been an elite sportsperson.

Use the basketball skills to get a free ride at a college in the states.

Basketball also keeps children fit and organise sports also helps to keep them away from drugs and other activities that parents dont like.

I do agree that work loads need to be monitored.

you just don't get it do you !!!!!

No offense but there is a big difference between a girl playing for centrals aba team and a girl that:

Has state, Sasi, cOuntry tournament, Junior District, Private school, State Rep., All Australian Camp, ABL, club classics etc. These girls at the elite level would have up to 6 trips away a year, train 6 times a week. Its up to coaches / clubs to develop some method to assist parents and players into making priorities as to what they can missout on and what they should take part in.

If a girl at the lions get the opportunity she should play. Her workload could not even begin to compare to some of the girls at other clubs.

a kid gives up 2 years of basketball to concentrate on their education only, will never regain the lost ground unless they have something super special about them.
(These are a rare breed so you wont see them anytime soon in sa)
Education is important for the future, nobody is argueing that its not.
15 comes very early in life and what you can do at 15 and what you can do 10yrs later are very likely 2 different things.You only have a short time to enjoy being an elite sportsperson then the rest of your life to work for that roof.Support Support Support! That is the key to having your cake and eating it as well.Adult education is there for a reason.

And only if they have something "super special" about them,then babsketball MAY pay the bills. So concentrate on yor studies at the right time. If you a good ball player basketball will wait for you while you finish you secondary schooling properly!!

what teams have got 15 years old playin in them??