The 2019 AAU 18s Nationals is here – this year, a three-day tournament in May, versus a four-day event in late June. In general, the consensus is that coaches like the earlier date – it frees up their athletes from conflicts with college and there’s not as much waiting around from their last tournament to AAUs.

But still, there are just 16 teams in 18 Open and 18 in the 18 Premier division, down from the 2018 tournament. We spoke to some AAU staff members who acknowledged that Memorial Day weekend would be a difficult date conflicting with prom and graduation. The solution? It’s not certain... can’t please everyone!

Unlike USAV Nationals where large pools were played across two days, AAUs is set up with four teams of four teams on Day 1 in 18 Open and the top three teams from each pool advanced to Gold.