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Connaughton makes a case for AAU as he leads the Middlesex Magic
By NE Hoops, Saturday, Jul 31, 2010
Pat Connaughton came into the July recruiting period a relative unknown nationally. Without question, he would have his handful of looks, but this was going to happen mainly from schools in the Northeast. Now, he has every major college conference represented with an offer. Schools ranging in location from Los Angeles to Knoxville to Boston. He is being recruited by both the baseball and basketball coaches of some of the schools. In fact, rumor has it, the Tennessee baseball coach decided to take in one of his games in Orlando.
He is a hot commodity and it's all because of AAU basketball, a controversial and heavily criticized arena for amateur basketball players. But, without AAU basketball Connaughton would most likely be considering schools within a three drive of Danvers, Massachuetts, where his High School, St. John's Prep is located.
It started for Connaughton with his play at the Hall of Fame National Invitational, where he helped his team to a 2-2 record, battling with the likes of BTI Pump and Run from California, Brookwood Elite from Montreal, and others. Throughout the 2-day event, he had schools ranging from Boston College, Penn, Northeastern, URI, and other taking notice. Connaughton played hard, aggressive and averaged better than 25ppg. This play then carried over into the Super 16 tournament at Quinnipiac, where Connaughton helped his team take down Adidas finalist, New Heights out of NYC and the schools continued to follow, but no majors were pulling the trigger.
Next, they moved to the Super Showcase and Nationals. He's averaged better than 30ppg and over 20rpg. He's a 6'5 wing that loves to mix it up around the basket, but is skilled enough to shoot the ball well from three, and get to the hoop with relative ease (and power).
"He has the will to win. You can see it in his eyes. He just wants to win games and compete," said AAU coach, Michael Crotty Jr of the Middlesex Magic. Crotty Jr. is the son of the late Mike Crotty who passed away earlier this year and was the founder of the AAU program, Middlesex Magic, which Connaughton plays for. Crotty Jr. knows all too well the 'will' he is talking about as he was a standout player at Williams College, leading them to a National Championship in '04.
Because of his outstanding play this July, Connaughton now boasts offers from Tennessee, UCLA, Notre Dame, Iowa State and many others in the A-10. He'll most likely be offered by Boston College and Wake Forest in the coming weeks too.
"The most impressive thing about this situation is that kids on the team all feel like they've been offered by these schools too. They are all genuinely so happy for Pat with his offers," said Crotty Jr. That's a testament to both Connaughton's character and his unselfishness. When 17 and 18 year old kids can look past their own lives and find appreciation in someone else's success, it must be a special situation.
"He's confident, but not cocky," added Crotty Jr.
So, let's look at this again. We have a kid that goes to a small, catholic school north of Boston. He is really developing into a special player going into his senior season. His body has developed, his game has expanded and he's playing with boatloads of confidence. All cylinders are clicking, and because we have AAU basketball, the kid has a chance to play in South Bend or Los Angeles, at two schools with such storied traditions athletically that it would be a dream for 99.9% of today's high school athletes.
It seems AAU does serve a purpose. And, Connaughton is taking full advantage of it.
http://www.nehoopnews.com/news/986/Connaughton-makes-a-case-for-AAU-basketball.php