Big Shots Myrtle Beach AAU basketball tournament featuring its biggest field ever

Kevin Schneider’s head felt like it was going to explode.

It was well worth it.

The Big Shots vice president recently found out just how difficult scheduling is getting as the basketball showcasing business grows. In Year 1, the service’s Big Shots Myrtle Beach event had 19 teams. From Thursday through Sunday, the AAU showcase will have welcomed in 412 for a total of 612 games.

“I grew a couple gray hairs scheduling that many games,” Schneider said Friday night after Big Shots Myrtle Beach 1 wrapped up at the Myrtle Beach Sports Center. “The great thing is each year we have players coming in and really blowing up.”

Schneider said about 225 college coaches attended Big Shots Myrtle Beach 1, and he expects that total to balloon to between 400 and 500 to have passed through by the time Big Shots Myrtle Beach 2 concludes Sunday.

“The talent has been top notch and it’s only going to pick up tomorrow,” Schneider said.

Schneider said the events – also held in other states throughout the year – have helped more than 8,000 players land scholarships the last 10 years. He said 142 Big Shots alumni are currently in the NBA and 20 were drafted into the league in June.

“We’re trying to help players achieve their dream of earning a college education and the chance to play at the next level,” Schneider said. “We have elite players coming in who are top-level prospects as well as guys who are receiving Division II, Division III and junior college opportunities.”

The tournament is featuring 17-and-under all the way down to 11-and-under competition on the boys side, and 17-and-under down to 13-and-under on the girls side.

“It just continues to grow,” Schneider said.

Anyone wishing to watch the action can purchase a full-tournament pass for $30 or a one-day pass for $20.

“We’ve got some of the nation’s top players and teams from various classes. It’s exciting,” Schneider said. “It’s a lot of elite talent. It’s the nation’s biggest [AAU] tournament being played here in Myrtle Beach. If you’re a hoops fan, it’s definitely something you’ll want to check out.”

This story was originally published July 10, 2015 at 10:59 PM with the headline "Big Shots Myrtle Beach AAU basketball tournament featuring its biggest field ever."