About Us

The vision for this program began with several parents and community members from Durango and the surrounding areas. Together, they imagined creating a basketball opportunity that would extend kids’ exposure to the game, providing an outlet beyond recreational basketball. This program is designed to bridge the gap between youth basketball and high school competition, offering players high-quality coaching, advanced training, and exposure to more competitive gameplay. By focusing on skill development, teamwork, and preparation, this program aims to support young athletes in their transition to the next level of their basketball journey.

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Our Vision

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We aim to create a collaborative and inclusive process, with leadership and representation from each of the teams that fall under the DYBC umbrella. Together, we hope to provide a pathway for local and regional youth basketball players to experience a more comprehensive and fulfilling basketball journey.

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Our goal is to go beyond the traditional tournament-focused AAU model by offering more opportunities for players to simply play the game they love, while also encouraging a strong emphasis on training and development. This includes honing individual skills, fostering a growth mindset, and building an understanding of team concepts within organized basketball.

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Team Structure

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For the upcoming season, we will organize three tournament teams, one each for 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade players. This structure promotes age-appropriate competition, skill development, and peer camaraderie. Each team will focus on building core skills, mastering advanced basketball concepts, and competing at a high level in regional tournaments.

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Tournament team rosters will consist of 8–10 players, selected based on performance and attendance at full club practices. Unfortunately, not all club members will have the opportunity to participate in tournaments. Rosters may change for each tournament, depending on player progression and availability.

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Our Foundational Principles

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At the heart of our program are guiding values that define our team and club identity:

• Playing basketball for the joy and fun it brings.

• Striving to improve every time we step on the court.

• Being a supportive and selfless teammate.

• Remaining coachable and open to learning.

• Respecting the game and its traditions.

• Staying humble through success and challenges.

 

What We Offer

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This AAU program provides a competitive yet enriching environment where kids can learn, grow, and enjoy the game together. Beyond tournaments, we focus on developing basketball IQ, from offensive and defensive sets to advanced concepts like motion offense, spacing, rebounding, and full-court press strategies. Players will explore man-to-man and zone defenses, press-breaks, and collaborative offensive play that emphasizes teamwork, smart passing, and effective decision-making.

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On the defensive end, we prioritize strong half-court fundamentals such as on-ball pressure, denial defense, and weak-side help, alongside an adaptable and dependable full-court press. The emphasis will be on learning, improving, and having fun as players develop their skills in these areas.

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Playing Time Philosophy

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Playing time during tournaments will be based on performance, consistent participation in training, a team-oriented attitude, chemistry, and individual talent. This ensures a fair and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

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Tournament Opportunities

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We envision participating in tournaments across the region, potentially including:

• Cortez

• Pagosa Springs

• Farmington

• Salida

 

Additionally, we are exploring the potential to host a tournament in Durango for the 2026 season.

Cost

Our goal is to minimize financial exposure, with the majority of costs expected to be covered through sponsorships. Players will be required to register with AAU for insurance purposes, as the AAU liability policy is only active if all players and non-players (including coaches) hold an AAU membership. The membership costs $22 per year and can be obtained at AAU Membership Registration. Once registered, memberships must be linked to the Durango Youth Basketball Club using the code W3EE89.

 

Additionally, there will be a one-time annual fee of $150 per player.

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Ultimately

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​By combining competitive play, robust training, and an unwavering focus on team values, our vision is to create an unforgettable basketball experience that encourages players to grow both on and off the court. We’re excited for what lies ahead and look forward to building something great together!

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