Everyone takes a different route to get to college. It is extremely difficult for Australians to gain basketball scholarships to American colleges unless they are in the AIS program. AUSElite was created to change that. AUSElite was created to develop players to an elite level, and find them college basketball scholarship. Here are some current routes Australian basketball players can take to get to college. AUSElite can assist players in taking these routes, without the help of the exclusive AIS program.
1. Scouts
At every U16, U18 and U20 Australian Junior Championships there will be a plethora of talent scouts trying to find the next great prospect. Unfortunately, there are too many players to scout, so usually only one-third of these players are reported on to college coaches. These scouts will relay their information to their respective college coaches. If the coaches are impressed by the scouting reports, they will contact the players and try to work out a scholarship from there.
2. AIS, NSWIS, VIS Coaches
There are around 10 reputable coaches who are respected in the US. However, they can’t possibly scout every player in Australia. If you can get noticed by one of these coaches, then it will dramatically increase your chances of going to college. These 10 coaches usually float around major basketball events such as the Australian Junior Championships, the Olympic games trials, national championships and school-boy level representative games. 
3. Prep School
This is a popular route for Australians because it allows players to develop for an extra year, while playing front of college coaches for a season. If you go to Prep School, you will need to go immediately after you finish high school in Australia (in November). See the Opportunities page for more information. If you wait until the following August to attend Prep School, you will only be able to attend for 4 months, which isn’t really worth it. If you attend a full year of prep school after waiting a full year, you will lose a year of playing eligibility with the NCAA.
Attending Prep School will cost between $3,000-30,000, not including flights and accommodation. Essentially, it is another year of high-school where basketball is the top priority. However academics should also be a major focus as a high SAT score impresses college coaches. The best way to attend a Prep School is either through your contacts in Australia, through AUSElite and our contacts, or through an AAU American tour (which AUSElite provides, click here for more information)
4. AAU Tours
AAU Tours are definitely the best way to get scouted by major college coaches in America.. AAU tournaments are the “designated recruiting tournaments” for college coaches. AAU tournaments rally hundreds of college coaches, who are looking for talent. At this point, your basketball future is in your hands, if you can impress the coaches, you will get a scholarship.
*Note: If you are playing AAU, you must play with an Australian team. The only exception to this is if you have been in high school in the US for longer than a year. If you play with an American team AAU team, you will risk losing your college eligibility. AUSElite sends three teams to the US every year. Click here for more information about AUSElite’s AAU Tour
5. AUSElite’s Alternate Routes
AUSElite has a wide variety of college contacts. If you are outstanding in the AUSElite program, we will send your tapes, statistics and player profile to American college coaches. This offers AUSElite players a greater chance at being recruited.
AUSElite Basketball Academy 