With the 2nd annual Empire State Takeover summer showcase leagues tipping off in just under 3 months - and the deadline of the 'early registration' fee approaching at the end of April - many kids & families are starting to put serious thought into whether or not they want to participate this summer. I've already received payment from some, coaches' packet info from some more, and questions from many. So, time to use a blog post to go by the numbers with what EST has already seen in 2015.
190 - In miles, the farthest one-way trip consistently made to attend EST by a regular participant in the summer leagues (Canton, NY).
138 - The amount of players that, at one point or another, suited up in either the boys or girls EST summer leagues in 2015.
85 - The sum of different collegiate programs that attended EST in its first year.
77 - The amount of different high schools represented between the two leagues. Altogether, players came from 55 different schools in the boys league and 43 different schools in the girls league.
52 - The number of different AAU programs represented at Union College between the boys & girls leagues. The programs ranged from being sponsored by Nike & Adidas, with participants on its top teams playing in prestigious Nike EYBL & Adidas Gauntlet leagues, through to programs carrying largely local schedules. Translation: I don't care what AAU program you're with, and preferential treatment toward specific programs doesn't happen. If I want you in EST, it doesn't matter what your team name is on the grassroots circuit!
41 - The amount of girls that participated in EST last year that are still currently juniors or younger and eligible to participate in this summer's league, including 8 out of the 11 that received MVP, All-EST 1st Team, or All-EST 2nd Team honors.
18 - The amount of players that participated in EST summer leagues in 2015 that either reside/attend high school or attend prep school utside of New York.
12 - The number of current high school juniors (or younger) who participated in EST last year that currently hold a Division I scholarship offer. Of those 12, 7 of them hold multiple scholarship offers.
8 - The number of current seniors who participated in EST last year that will be attending a Division I or II school next year & playing basketball on scholarship, including both MVPs (Andrew Sischo, Daemen; Danielle Migliore, St. Bonaventure).
7 - The amount of sections in the NYSPHSAA that were represented in Empire State Takeover summer leagues last year. They were Sections I, II, III, IV, VII, IX, and X; Sections V & VIII were also represented in the fall events.
6 - The number of regular participants in EST last year that made a one-way commute of over 150 miles to Union College for the league.
1 - The amount of certified events located in the region that offered such a combination of playing with & against strong talent on the court mixed with college exposure opportunities.
This post will be updated as all-league, all-state, and other postseason award lists come in, but you get the gist. In year 1, it was a true barometer of talent throughout the region and beyond, and it's trending upward for year 2. This is question-answering season for me, especially to those families who I have already contacted/approached, so if there are any questions about EST, now is as good a time as any to ask away. Well on the way to an even stronger summer!
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