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Small Guard, Big Game: The Rise of Rylee Thompson A Young Hoop Star in the Making

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Rylee Thompson is a rising young point guard for Ice Tre Elite Girls (8U), already making her mark in the AAU basketball world. Known for her leadership, tough defense, and ability to compete against older players, Rylee brings heart and hustle to every game. Though she’s just heading into 3rd grade, her maturity on the court and commitment to improving her game show she’s built for the big stage.

What AAU team do you play for, and what position do you usually play?
Ice Tre Elite Girls (8u) – Point Guard

How did you first get involved with AAU basketball, and what drew you to it?
The coach from Ice Tre Elite sent me a message on IG and asked would I be interested in joining their team, this was the perfect opportunity because I was ready to compete at an AAU level.

What’s the biggest difference between school ball and AAU ball in your experience?
I’ve only played AAU basketball and other youth leagues in the area, I will be in 3rd grade next school year so I haven’t had a chance to experience school ball yet to compare the two.

What’s been your favorite tournament or city to compete in so far?
Houston is the only city I’ve played in so far.

Describe a standout moment or game during your AAU career that you’ll never forget.
My coach challenged me to score a certain amount of buckets and be more aggressive and I was able to make it happen!

How do you mentally and physically prepare for long tournament weekends?
Getting enough rest and practicing hard throughout the week is key! I also listen to my favorite songs before the game to LOCK IN!

What’s your pregame routine when you’re traveling for an AAU event?
All of our games have been in Houston, so I haven’t had to the opportunity to travel yet.

What role do you play on your AAU team-scorer, leader, defender, spark plug?
I’m a great defender and leader. As far as scoring, every player on the team is capable.

Who’s the toughest opponent you’ve faced on the AAU circuit and what made them tough?
Pretty much all of our opponents are tough because we play UP 2-3 ages every game.

How has AAU basketball helped you grow as a player and as a person?
AAU basketball has helped me become stronger and tougher as a player and as a person. I’ve definitely sharpened up my skills to be able to play against bigger competition.

What’s the most challenging part about playing on the road so often?
I haven’t had a chance to play on the road yet but I can’t wait to experience it.

Do you have a favorite gym, city, or showcase event you’ve played in? Why?
I don’t have a favorite place to play yet but I will always love playing in the city that I’m from.

What kind of impact has your AAU coach had on your development?
My AAU coach has a big impact on my development by constantly pushing me to be better and believing in my game.

What’s your mindset when you’re coming off the bench vs. starting a game?
To be honest it’s rare that I come off the bench but I do remember one game and my mindset was I’m ready to get on the court and help my teammates get the win!

What are your goals for this AAU season-personally and as a team?
My goal is to always get better as a player and help my team get as many wins as possible.

What’s one area of your game you’re locked in on improving right now?
I’m working on all areas but I’m doing extra shooting and ball handling drills so I can become an elite scorer.

Do you model your game after any pro or college players? Who and why?
Juju Watkins because I want to become an elite player at all levels just like her!

What’s your go-to move or skill that sets you apart on the court?
My in and out crossover is my go to move.

What advice would you give a young player just starting their AAU journey?
Stay focused, understand the importance of team work and most importantly PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

Have you earned any championships, awards, or honors? If not, you can simply enter N/A.
One of the youth leagues I played in we went undefeated and won the championship!

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, parent, or sports fan, I’d love to hear from you. Have a story idea? Want to collaborate on coverage? Looking to feature your team or athlete? Use the form below to get in touch.

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Relentless on the Court: How Lasir Prince Ford Combines Training, Mentorship, and Leadership to Rise Above the Competition

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Lasir Prince Ford is an emerging basketball standout who plays point guard for Posterboy Skills Academy in Apple Valley, California. He continues to sharpen his game through intense training sessions at Integrity Basketball Academy in Hesperia, where his focus, discipline, and work ethic set him apart from other young athletes. Beyond his academy training, Lasir also puts in one-on-one sessions with his AAU coach, Mr. Mike Bobby, who has been instrumental in his growth as both a player and a leader. With a combination of natural skill, relentless determination, and the guidance of trusted mentors, Lasir has developed into a point guard who commands the court with confidence. His dedication to the game, both physically and mentally, reflects his drive to compete at the highest level and push himself toward greatness.

What AAU team do you play for, and what position do you usually play?
Posterboy Skills Academy, point guard.

How did you first get involved with AAU basketball, and what drew you to it?
I started training at 7.5 years old and started to play park and rec at 8 years old. I scored 50 points, and my parents decided to put me in AAU for better competition.

What’s been your favorite tournament or city to compete in so far?
Grassroots Circuit, Orange County, CA.

Describe a standout moment or game during your AAU career that you’ll never forget.
Going against a highly ranked team in Las Vegas this year and being the youngest kid on the floor. I scored 34 points in that game.

How do you mentally and physically prepare for long tournament weekends?
I train a lot with Integrity Basketball Academy and Posterboy Skills Academy. This prepares me to have a lot of confidence and focus to deal with long tournament weekends.

What’s your pregame routine when you’re traveling for an AAU event?
I listen to a lot of Kobe Bryant interviews and clips to get me in that mode. They help me focus and lock in before games.

What role do you play on your AAU team—scorer, leader, defender, spark plug?
I’m all of the above with all the work I put in. I’m the top scorer, the leader of my team, one of the best defenders, and my energy is unmatched.

Who’s the toughest opponent you’ve faced on the AAU circuit and what made them tough?
I’d say on the Grassroots Circuit. I can’t remember their team name, but they had a complete team top to bottom, which made me train even harder.

How has AAU basketball helped you grow as a player and as a person?
AAU has helped my development a lot. It pushed me to train harder, focus more, and be more prepared than ever. As a person, it helped me focus more on details in school, learn how to be a team player, and strategize and plan better. I also learned that consistency is key and that dedication and commitment mixed with passion and hunger will get me to the next level.

What’s the most challenging part about playing on the road so often?
I love playing on the road. You meet new people, different teams, and different players, which makes me compete even harder.

Do you have a favorite gym, city, or showcase event you’ve played in? Why?
My favorite gym is Integrity Basketball Academy. I also like playing in the 24/7 tournaments showcase in Orange County because they give out MVPs of the game, and I win a lot of them.

What kind of impact has your AAU coach had on your development?
The impact Coach Bobby from Posterboy Skills Academy has on my development is everything. He helps train me, gives me a ton of advice, and puts me in the best position to excel into the best version of me.

How do you handle pressure when college coaches or scouts are watching?
I was taught pressure does not exist. It’s all mental as long as you’re prepared, focused, and confident. As long as you put in the work, make or miss a shot, the next day you still have to put the work in regardless, so why worry?

What’s your mindset when you’re coming off the bench vs. starting a game?
I’m always in kill mode no matter the situation. I’m not training every day to be good, I train to dominate everybody.

What are your goals for this AAU season—personally and as a team?
My AAU goals this season are to make my teammates better and give them the confidence they need. That will make us a better team overall.

What’s one area of your game you’re locked in on improving right now?
Making my teammates better. That is something I want to focus on consistently.

Do you model your game after any pro or college players? Who and why?
Yes, Kobe Bean Bryant. The work he put in, the dedication he had, and the killer instinct he carried inspire me.

What’s your go-to move or skill that sets you apart on the court?
My dribbling ability, speed, court vision, and shooting. These make me stand out against opponents.

What advice would you give a young player just starting their AAU journey?
Train hard, put in the work, and get better every day. That is the key to success.

Have you earned any championships, awards, or honors?
Since I’ve been playing AAU for a year now, I have won 11 championships. I also earned multiple MVP awards and team MVP awards every season.

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, parent, or sports fan, I’d love to hear from you. Have a story idea? Want to collaborate on coverage? Looking to feature your team or athlete? Use the form below to get in touch.

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