"May the odds be forever in your favor"
Founder
Against All Odds Youth Basketball Team (AAO) was established in 2017 with a bold mission: to provide underserved youth in the community with an opportunity to excel in basketball against all odds. Founded by Michael L. Holmes Jr., a passionate advocate for youth development, AAO emerged as a beacon of hope and opportunity for young student-athletes that face socio-economic challenges.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to cultivate a thriving community of young athletes who not only excel in basketball but also flourish as individuals of character, resilience, and leadership. We aspire to be recognized as a premier AAU youth basketball program, renowned for our commitment to player development, sportsmanship, and inclusivity.Through dedicated coaching, innovative training methods, and competitive opportunities, we aim to empower our players to reach their full potential both on and off the court. Driven by a passion for the game and guided by principles of integrity, teamwork, and excellence, we envision our team as a beacon of inspiration, uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds in the pursuit of shared goals and collective success. Together, we strive to create a culture of excellence where every athlete is valued, supported, and empowered to become not only skilled basketball players but also compassionate leaders and positive contributors to their communities. With unwavering determination and a commitment to our core values, we envision a future where our AAU youth basketball team serves as a catalyst for personal growth, athletic achievement, and lifelong success for all who are a part of our program.
Core Values
At Against All Odds, we embrace a set of core values that serve as the foundation for our program:
-
Development: We prioritize the holistic development of our athletes, nurturing their skills, character, and leadership qualities both on and off the court.
-
Teamwork: We believe in the power of collaboration and unity, fostering a supportive environment where every player is valued, respected, and encouraged to contribute their unique strengths to the team.
-
Discipline: We instill a culture of discipline, dedication, and hard work, empowering our athletes to set goals, persevere through challenges, and strive for excellence in everything they do.
-
Sportsmanship: We uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, promoting fair play, respect for opponents, and graciousness in victory and defeat as ambassadors of the game.
-
Inclusivity: We celebrate diversity and inclusivity, embracing individuals from all backgrounds and experiences, and fostering an environment where everyone feels welcome, valued, and empowered to succeed.
-
Integrity: We uphold principles of honesty, integrity, and accountability, both on and off the court, setting a positive example for our players and guiding them to make ethical decisions in all aspects of their lives.
These core values guide our actions, decisions, and interactions, shaping our identity as a team and guiding us towards success with purpose, unity, and integrity.
Against All Odds History
Establishment and Founding
Against All Odds Youth Basketball Team (AAO) was established in 2017 with a bold mission: to provide underserved youth in the community with an opportunity to excel in basketball against all odds. Founded by Michael Holmes a passionate advocate for youth development, AAO emerged as a beacon of hope and opportunity for young athletes facing socio-economic challenges.
Meet the Coaches
COACHING STAFF FOR AGANST ALL ODDS
Upcoming Events/Tryouts RSVP
1 hr 30 min
30 US dollars
1 hr 30 min
25 US dollars
1 hr 30 min
40 US dollars
1 hr 30 min
150 US dollars
1 hr 30 min
325 US dollars
Loading days...
From 25 US dollars
AAO PICTURE GALLERY
FAQ
The Answers You Need
What is AAU?
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is a non-profit organization divided up into areas called “associations”. Each association participates regional age-group based tournaments. The National Tournaments includes the winners from the regional association events and run for seven to nine days during June, July, or August. Players must show an official copy of their birth certificate at each association event and pay a membership fee to participate and gain an AAU card. The Association tournaments take place after the high school season ends in March or April.
How does my son get on a AAO team?
To get on a AAO team your son must attend practices as a form of “tryout”. Please note that t AAO AAU Program does not conduct OPEN TRYOUTS. Invitations to play are on a case by case basis. Your son will gain valuable experience working with current players (through practice) and get to know the coaches and how they handle the players. This is invaluable because coaches and players all think differently and as your son practices with his perspective team he will know instantly if AAO AAU program is for him or not.
How many teams are there?
AAO currently field (2) teams at the following levels: 14U 13U, AAO AAU Program is always looking to expand but at the right time and with the right coaches
How is the age group determined?
A player’s age group is determined by their age on the 1st of the year. Example: if your son is 13 yrs. old on January 1 and she turns 14 on January 10th she can play 13U as her age on the 1st of the year is 13.
What is involved in the commitment to an AAO team?
It is expected that a player will make all the games and practices. There are always conflicts but absences disrupt the team and are unfair to the teammates and coaches. Communication with the coaches is crucial about these items. There should never be NO CALLS or NO SHOWS. Communication is key. If there are too many conflicts with a players schedule them you may choose not to play as you will miss a lot and not get the full experience of playing AAU for the AAO program.
What about the time involved?
Currently AAO practice (2) days a week and play a min. of (2) tournaments a month. Tournaments typically consist of (2) games on Saturday and (1) on Sunday. Consistency is the key and all players must attend.
What's the cost?
Current cost to participate in AAO program is approx. $350 - $600. It depends on what team you play on and what tournaments that team attends. TRAVEL COST IS NOT INCLUDED IN FEES as parents typically utilize time shares and frequent flyer miles to minimize cost.
Is there fundraising?
Fundraising is the key to the AAO program. We constantly perform fundraisers to reduce fees. Our motto is FUNDRAISE AND SAVE
What are the goals?
Goals of the AAO program differ for different age groups.
The 8th grade (13U) and higher levels put a lot of emphasis on execution and performance. These higher level teams typically possess great skill level and attend some of the most competitive AAU tournaments in the nation. Scholarship opportunities are a primary focus for the older kids and performance at top AAU tournaments and NCAA Certified events (attended by college coaches) provide a “key” free evaluation period for all players.
The goals on the younger levels (7th grade & below) are to develop basic skills (dribbling, passing and other fundamentals) and to learn all rules and recognize all situations of a typical basketball game. Knowledge is power and builds to execution at a high level. But the foundation for “great play” is set at the younger levels.
Contact Us
