About the Guest

Joey Simmons is a veteran basketball coach with over 30 years of experience developing young athletes. Throughout his career, Joey has coached with respected programs such as Texas Elite and Team Lex, helping countless players advance to the collegiate level.

Known for his honest, no-nonsense approach, Joey brings clarity to the often confusing world of AAU basketball, exposure, and player development.

Episode Summary

In this episode of It’s Just Different, host Ashley Roberts sits down with longtime basketball coach Joey Simmons to break down what parents truly need to understand about youth basketball and AAU programs.

Joey shares how the youth basketball landscape has changed over the years — from early exposure and rankings to the rising pressure placed on young athletes. He explains why development should come before exposure, how parents can avoid costly mistakes when choosing AAU teams, and why chasing circuit teams too early can do more harm than good.

This conversation is a must-listen for basketball parents navigating AAU decisions, recruiting timelines, and long-term player growth.

Key Takeaways

- Development should be prioritized over exposure at younger ages

- Not every athlete needs a circuit team to play college basketball

- Early rankings and reclassing often create unnecessary pressure

- Parents should research clubs carefully before committing

- Playing the long game leads to better opportunities down the road

Resources for Basketball Parents

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