No. BA can barely administer themselves........there it self lies your answer.

Buyer beware. Research, compare. Make informed decision.

Nothing wrong with the academies. Just make informed decisions what you spend your money on.

I've tried to help kids get to college (I didn't charge) and it's actually a lot of work and I don't claim to be an "expert" on it.

You need to understand the rules regarding eligibility which are complex to say the least, prepare a well researched resume that the US school recruiters understand, motivate and support the kid to contact schools and maintain their grades, get them to do their SATs and register with clearinghouse, develop a video scout and develop and maintain contacts to open up doors. THese academies also offer skill and basketball development too in some cases. Why shouldn't they charge for this? Too many expect a free ride in Australian basketball because it is mostly run by amazing volunteers.

Having said that any academy that tells you they have more of a chance getting your kid to college by paying big bucks to them - beware. Ultimately it comes down to the athlete. Just do your research first before you pay.

I've heard of one organisation offering ridiculously named "college preparation sessions" which were targetting kids who had no game and using this guise to make money. I'm sure the sessions were fine but don't false market them!

Might want to research how manykids missed the BA pathways as juniors and were not involved for whatever reasons. Some of our biggest stars received their own training outside of the usual BA/BV/BSA pathways as youngsters.

There is a place for academies and private trainers.

It should be regulated but where do you start?

I agree with posts above. Buyer beware, do your research and ask around!

Please no policy from BA it would be bad timing as I am about to launch my very own EASY MONEY MAKING SCHEME er I mean academy.

I'm doing so to charge the hell out of the morons oops sorry that should read "PARENTS" to develop, scratch that should be GIVE FALSE HOPE to youngsters developing their skills well not really more like SKILLS THAT WEREN'T GOOD ENOUGH FOR ELITE PATHWAYS... lol suckers

You realise a few of our all time best players were not "good enough" for elite pathways as juniors?

Great argument.

Really, who?

202, exactly the kind of uninformed crap that gets prattled off by these profiteers. Don't get involved in the countries pathways but pour your money into our "academy". So many kids/parents that weren't good enough to make it getting sucked in with false promises. Sure, go to these academies but do your research and DO NOT attend academies at the expense of throwing away opportunities in the sport. If they make false promises or try to rubbish the legitimate pathways in this country then stay well away!

Who in the past decade? Bogut, Mills, Maric, Delli, Simmons, Baynes, Exum all played at state level and/or had ais scholarships. The Australia HP is world renowned, just go to Europe and speak to basketball people over in the system over there. Even in the US they are loving the character, intelligence or Australian kids. Talk to the NBA scouts about it. Yea sure they like kids in the college system but the way the US develops young kids is currently coming unstuck. Why does Pop select so few US kids?


The biggest problem with the US is the uncontrolled, hype and false promises around AAU and touring teams and now because of the massive amount of kids heading over there that is creeping into our system here.

Oh, and add Maker to that list too!