As we build our Ares 17U Elite (Class of 2027) program, families often ask what kinds of events we target for competition and exposure.
This post is a reference list of tournaments we attended or planned in 2025. It’s meant to show the type of exposure weekends we pursue — not to lock in our upcoming event schedule. For the upcoming season, dates may be locked, but event names and venues can change based on availability and eligibility/certification requirements.
How We Choose Events (Our Selection Criteria)
We don’t just chase hype. We choose events based on:
- Competition quality (deep brackets, strong matchups)
- Exposure environment (college coaches and decision-makers typically present)
- Operations (venues, scheduling, reliability)
- Eligibility/certification requirements where applicable
- Fit for our athletes (the right stage for our roster)
Our goal is simple: put athletes in real games, against real competition, in environments where exposure is meaningful — and support it with recruiting-ready media.
2025 Exposure Event Examples (Reference)
1) AOG NorCal Summer Tip-Off (2025)
- Dates: July 5–6, 2025
- Location: The Grounds, Roseville (NorCal)
- Why it fits: A strong NorCal environment to compete early and set the tone before heavier travel weekends.
2) HoopSource “Portland Rise” (2025)
- Dates: July 11–13, 2025
- Location: Portland, Oregon
- Why it fits: Competitive out-of-state matchups and a different scouting environment than California.
3) MadeHoops Finals SoCal (2025)
- Dates: July 17–20, 2025
- Location: SoCal – multiple locations.
- Why it fits: A Southern California setting with strong talent density and a traditionally strong exposure footprint.
4) Bigfoot Hoops Las Vegas Classic (2025)
- Dates: July 24–27, 2025
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Why it fits: Vegas weekends are often packed with competition and scouting attention, making them useful closing events for the summer.
Important: These events are listed as examples from 2025. Future schedules depend on event availability, requirements, and final roster planning.
What This Means for the Upcoming Ares Elite Season
For the upcoming season, we will publish:
- Our locked travel weekends
- The final event names/venues
- Any eligibility/certification requirements that apply
We’ll also share what families can expect in terms of:
- weekly development standards
- travel expectations
- recruiting support and media deliverables
Ready to Apply for Ares 17U Elite (Class of 2027)?
The first step is the application. We review film + fit and invite selected athletes to tryouts.
Get a Tryout Invite Apply here >