Phoenix is home to a top NBA team, so it is virtually inevitable that some people in the area are inspired to try their hand at learning how to play basketball, or to try and get better at the game before they sign up to play for a team.
Arizona has quite a few different ways for people to learn basketball either through playing in a nearby league or even private basketball coaches, and we’re going through some of the best options in this guide. Plus, we’re discussing the school system and the way this nurtures some of the Arizona basketball talent.
Arizona Private Academies
Joining a basketball academy provides ongoing opportunities for practice and competition. Academies in Phoenix and basketball academies across the US offer structured environments with regular training sessions and league play as well as some of the famous summer camps that so many people start their basketball involvement with.
Dreamteam Academy
Dreamteam Academy offers a top-notch venue with some great facilities, and they have a summer camp experience for young basketball players plus kids basketball training throughout the rest of the year.
This academy focuses on holistic player development and sportsmanship. Their summer camps feature intensive training sessions, drills, and puts young players in the situation of their first games, all conducted by experienced coaches.
The environment at DreamTeam Academy is designed to be both challenging and supportive and they have different programs for different ability levels and ages. The Peak Basketball Academy’s Club Team covers 3rd-12th grade, for instance, and runs all the way through the year. This particular program offers two x one-hour lessons per week.
Peak Basketball Club program offers a year-round, fundamentally driven development and competitive youth program for the players.
There is also a Skills Academy with training designed “to help build the skills of the individual player, focusing on the fundamentals of ball handling, footwork, shooting, etc.”
M14Hoops North Phoenix - Basketball Training Academy
Another excellent option is the M14Hoops North Phoenix Basketball Training Academy. This camp is known for its robust training regimen and focus on developing basketball skills across all ages – their programs include those for youngsters, such as the First Step camp, which focuses on the very basics like footwork and shooting, but is open to kids as young as kindergarten age!
There are also M14Hoops camps that include a mix of skill-specific drills and competitive play, providing a comprehensive training experience. Participants benefit from the academy’s experienced team of coaches and enjoy the social benefits of a camp. Unlike a lot of the academies out there, they also offer their clinics and camps at different times of the year, including a winter camp.
Arizona All Stars
Arizona All Stars basketball is an academy that provides lessons and coaching for young, aspiring basketball players between 3rd and 8th grade.
Like all of the other academies we’ve mentioned, this is an inclusive place and they welcome players with different experience and skill levels, providing programs and approaches to help people at various stages of their basketball journey, though it is focused on youth basketball and providing young players with a chance to build their skills. This is a great option for people looking for basketball lessons for their kids in Phoenix.
Parks and Community Centers
While a lot of the basketball academies and clubs may focus on youth talent, there are community centers and a park network enabling adults to find a place to play or even take up basketball! You’re never too old for that basketball tryout.
Phoenix is home to many parks and community centers where people can work with private tutors or even join casual pickup games to improve their basketball skills.
The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department offers numerous basketball programs for youth and adults. The programs are designed to be inclusive and accessible, making them perfect for anyone looking to get involved in the sport. Both youth and adult basketball are catered to and there are even leagues to join.
As well as a number of parks, the Parks and Recreation Department presides over sports complexes:
- Desert West Sports Complex
- Encanto Park Sports Complex
- Papago Sports Complex
- Reach 11 Sports Complex
- Rose Mofford Sports Complex
Out of all of these, Encanto Park is the most popular spot for pickup basketball. The courts are well-maintained and attract many players from the local area. Whether it’s a casual game or a more competitive match, Encanto Park offers a great outdoor setting for basketball. The park is a stunning setting, and has a fishing lagoon, historic clubhouse and boathouse, plus two golf courses to go with the basketball courts.
Local Community Centers
Community centers include Sunnyslope Community Center and the Goelet A.C. Beuf Community Center. Both of these locations have basketball courts and host various basketball activities, though these can vary from time to time. These centers often organize basketball leagues as well as open gym times, helping provide things to do in the community while promoting physical activity.
School and College Programs
Many schools and colleges in Phoenix have basketball programs that offer training and competitive play, and as with the rest of the United States, this can even be a route into the professional game. Phoenix isn’t as well-scouted as basketball areas like Los Angeles, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to learn basketball skills.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a college with basketball heritage. Like some of the basketball teams in Chicago and elsewhere in the states, there is a basketball team attached to the university. Arizona State basketball team, the Sun Devils, represents Arizona State University in the Pac-12 Conference. The Sun Devils have appeared in the NCAA college basketball tournament 17 times.
For college students, Arizona State University offers intramural basketball leagues, under the Sun Devil Intramural Sports name. These leagues provide a fun and competitive environment for students to stay active and engaged in the sport. Intramural teams at ASU are well organized and cater to different skill levels, making it easy for all students to participate. One of the great features is the fact that players can join as a “free agent” if they don’t have a team, and find teammates on their platform.
The university’s facilities are top-notch, and the leagues offer a great way for students to continue playing basketball while pursuing their academic goals.
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix is also home to Grand Canyon University, which was originally founded in 1949. The Antelopes began playing during the college's first academic year and just had the basketball team then. Now, they compete in 21 different sports.
The basketball team has had some success, having won three NAIA Men's Basketball Championships at the NAIA Division I level in 1975, 1978, and 1988, and the 2007 PacWest Conference Championship.
Northern Arizona University
The Lumberjacks men's basketball team is part of the team’s elite sports program and has competed in the Big Sky Conference since 1970. The men’s team reached the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2000. While the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks women's basketball team won the Big Sky championship in 2006.
University of Arizona
The Arizona Wildcats is the team at the University of Arizona, and the men's basketball team competes in the Big 12 of NCAA Division I.
They have won the NCAA tournament once, in 1997. The women's basketball program began in 1972 in the format we know it, but women’s basketball was offered as an intramural sport prior to this. The Arizona Wildcats basketball team has twice been runner-up in the Pac-10 (forerunner of the Pac-12) Conference Tournament.
Phoenix Suns: Junior Suns
The Jr. Suns and Jr. Mercury Basketball League has been going since 1999, and the leagues are supported by the Phoenix Suns NBA team.
Young players can join the league or participate in events, and basketball camps that have proved to be very successful.
The Phoenix Suns basketball camps offer an engaging and comprehensive experience for young basketball enthusiasts. These camps are designed to improve fundamental basketball skills such as shooting, dribbling, and passing but they can get more advanced, especially if a young person shows a particular talent and flair for basketball.
Led by experienced coaches and former players, the camps emphasize teamwork and the importance of a positive attitude. Participants also benefit from unique opportunities to interact with Suns players and staff, and may receive exclusive Suns merchandise. The camps cater to different youth age groups and skill levels.
Learn How to Play Basketball with Superprof
In Phoenix as well as elsewhere in the state of Arizona, there are a number of options to get involved. There are many different ways to get involved with youth basketball teams or even adult amateur leagues.
If you’re looking to get back into basketball or boost your skills before joining a team, you can find a personal basketball trainer or coach here on Superprof. Our tutors are experienced as well as flexible, and can provide you with coaching whether you’re an absolute beginner or you have professional aspirations. Find your basketball tutor today on Superprof.
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