Powerful AAU Program On the Rise: Team Iowa
This is the feature on the second, in a series of many, AAU programs in the state of Iowa. In the first article, All Iowa Attack was covered,…
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Continue ReadingThis is the feature on the second, in a series of many, AAU programs in the state of Iowa. In the first article, All Iowa Attack was covered, a program that features many potential NCAA DI standouts in years to come including; Taylor McCabe, Ndjakalenda Mwenentanda, and Halli Poock Halli Poock 5'6" | PG Waterloo West | 2023 State IA . These players noted here are female hoopsters from surrounding states of Iowa, as well as from the state of Iowa; showing the outstanding reputation, history, and success of the AIA program.
I will now take a look at another elite AAU grassroots program in the state of Iowa that has seen tremendous growth, and has drastically evolved over the years into a prominent, dominant AAU program around the country at the national level on both the girls and boys side that has produced some extremely talented players at the collegiate level. That program is the Team Iowa Program. Like the AIA program, Team Iowa is another organization that has been around for a long time, and has a lot of tradition. This AAU program is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Beginning in 2008, TI was established and produced a couple of teams that were very successful, winning many games and tournaments. A couple of years later, the program increased and produced a lot of teams of all grade levels and gender. “ Team Iowa concentrates on teaching the fundamentals to help players build a strong foundation that will help them grow in the game of basketball. In addition to building a strong foundation on the court, Team Iowa also believes in creating strong players in the game of life.”
One dimension of this AAU program that stands out immediately is the overall variety and well-rounded options they provide all players. They provide opportunities for players to participate in camps, private lessons, and training sessions at their home facility, the Iowa Sports Center. They also hold a summer and fall league for players that are not only in the TI program, but also for players outside of the program. They have a SportsRecruits tab on their website homepage that quickly goes to highlights and video footage of each player on every team. This creates great opportunities not only for these potential collegiate players, but also for the college coaches that are searching for top-notch talent and would like easy and reliable access to watch game highlights of the players. The high-level tournaments they go to around the Midwest and country are very prestigious, competitive events for the players to showcase their talent and ability against other highly skilled players.
Renell Strait, the Program Director/Tournament Director/Coach, has been running this organization for awhile now and has done a terrific job of making this AAU program one of the best in the state of Iowa. With her passion, dedication, and willingness to establish a program that has evolved and has produced so much collegiate talent at all levels shows what kind of person she is, as well as her work ethic. Her mission of making sure these basketball players are not only thriving out on the court, but off the court out in life as people, makes her a key neccessity in all of the accomplishments and success. She is definitely a pivotal ingredient in the wins, championships, and trophies that the TI program has brought in. Her coaches that coach all the teams within this program have the same mindset she does, and are great leaders for all players to learn from.
The TI program is back at it this AAU season traveling to several tournaments this 2021 AAU season. A couple of female players to keep an eye on this summer within the program as we progress here through the first half of our AAU spring/summer circuit are Caelynn Obleton (G, 2022), Jenna Twedt Jenna Twedt 5'8" | SG Benton | 2023 State IA (G, 2023) and Keiko Ono-Fullard Keiko Ono-Fullard 5'3" | PG Iowa City Liberty | 2023 State IA (G, 2023). These are three fierce, electric, and talented 1,2 guards that will be breaking out this AAU season, will surely be stock-risers in their given classes, and will be standing out to college coaches.
There is absolutely no question this AAU program will continue to reach new heights, increase their overall stock, and continue to grow and expand in all elements of their program. Please follow and keep up to date on games and tournaments of this AAU organization, as they produce some high level players with a lot of natural talent, skill, basketball IQ, and athleticism. Their website can be found at https://teamiowaathletics.com/, as well as their SportsRecruits website, https://sportsrecruits.com/organization/teamiowagirls. You can also follow the program on social media at: @Team_Iowa and Team Iowa Basketball.