ESPN High School Sports

Each week this summer leading up to the AAU National Championships in Orlando in July, ESPNHS will profile one of the nation's top AAU teams and tell you why you should be paying attention.

Team: Texas Titans
Location: Dallas, Texas
Coach: Scott Pospichal

What you need to know about the Texas Titans:

The Texas Titans are just in their seventh year of existence, but coach Scott Pospichal has already developed his squad into an elite national program. Many of the key contributors on the Titans' 17U team have played together for the entire seven years, so they're extremely familiar with each other and with Pospichal's system.

"We've been together since the fifth grade," said Class of 2013 shooting guard Matt Jones. "We just know how to play together. As a team, we know what we want. We know where the ball should go, so we don't have to worry about that. We're just out there, playing and having fun."

Combine that continuity with the Titans' absurd talent level and you've got a recipe for a national championship contender. In addition to Jones, one of the sweetest shooters in the country, the Titans also have Julius Randle, the No. 2 player in the ESPN 100 and power forward Damian Jones, No. 70 on the list. And all of the team's stars buy into Pospichal's defense-first approach

"We're a very disciplined team," says Pospichal. "We want to be a tough defensive team. We're not trying to be great in transition, and very rarely do we take the first shot. We're a deliberate, half-court team and we pride ourselves on execution."

The Titans went 15-5 during Nike Elite Youth Basketball League play, tying for the fourth-best record during the circuit's regular season. That qualified the squad for the Nike Peach Jam, where they reached the quarterfinals in 2011.

Key Players:

Julius Randle, F, 2013: At 6-foot-9, 225 pounds, Randle is almost impossible to defend around the basket. "He's an absolute beast," says Pospichal. "He's a talent like I've never seen." Randle is the Titans' No. 1 option on offense, and he's posted 16.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during EYBL play.

Matt Jones, G, 2013: A pure shooter in the Ray Allen mold, Jones stretches defenses and makes opponents pay for double-teaming Randle. The Duke recruit hit 51 percent of his 3-point attempts in EYBL play and averaged a team-high 17.0 points per game. "I try to pick my spots when I want to score or attack," says Jones. "I want to focus on making my teammates better and helping our offense run with confidence."

Preston Troutt, G, 2013: Troutt doesn't get as much attention as his highly-recruited teammates, but the 5-foot-11 guard has been with the Titans since the beginning and understands how to run the system. "He's our third scorer," says Pospichal. "He's a really good jump shooter, and he plays an important role in spacing the floor for us." Despite playing through a shoulder injury, Troutt has averaged 7.0 points per game this summer while hitting 47 percent of his 3-pointers.

Damian Jones, F, 2013: A new addition to the Titans, Jones hasn't been in the system as long as lifers like Matt Jones and Troutt. But the Louisiana native brings a rugged low-post game and a willingness to do the dirty work under the basket.

Key Dates:

Great American Shootout: June 8-10 in College Station, Texas
Great American Shootout: June 22-24 in Pearland, Texas
Nike Peach Jam: July 18-22 in North Augusta, S.C.
AAU Super Showcase: July 24-30 in Orlando, Fla.

The Titans were one of the most impressive teams during the EYBL regular season, and they have to be considered among the favorites to win the Nike Peach Jam. The team has championship experience, as Randle, Jones and Troutt have all won national titles before in various age groups.

"It's something we've done before," says Pospichal. "Our younger teams have won national championships, and these guys expect to win."

Beyond Peach Jam, the Titans will also be playing at the AAU Super Showcase in Florida. Because of team's familiarity, they expect to be playing their best ball at the end of the summer.

"We've got a deep team," says Matt Jones. "The whole team believes we can win. When everyone is out there playing and performing their role, we can really get it rolling. We're just trying to get better with every game."

Follow Mike Grimala on Twitter (@MGrimalaESPN).

Each week this summer leading up to the AAU National Championships in Orlando in July, ESPNHS will profile one of the nation's top AAU teams and tell you why you should be paying attention.

Team: Oakland Soldiers
Location: Oakland, Calif.
Coach: Mark Olivier

What you need to know about the Oakland Soldiers:

The Oakland Soldiers are probably best known for being one of LeBron James' AAU teams back when the King was in high school, but the program has produced enough NBA talent in addition to James to form its own All-Star team.

Coach Mark Olivier says that's one of the reasons why the Soldiers are able to draw such elite talent, year after year.

"I think we have a history that makes kids want to play for us," says Olivier. "Guys like LeBron James played for us. And in the last couple years we've had Nick Johnson, Jabari Brown. That's a draw for kids."

The current roster is loaded with elite prospects, led by Aaron Gordon and Jabari Bird, both of whom are highly ranked in the Class of 2013. Gordon, a 6-foot-7 forward, can dominate the paint and play in the open court, while Bird is one of the nation's top scoring guards. Small forward Stanley Johnson is ranked No. 28 in the Class of 2014, with multiple Division I offers already on the table.

"We've got a really well-rounded team," says Gordon. "We don't have a lot of bigs, but we have a lot of athletes who can get out and run. We outrun other teams."

The Soldiers are currently playing without Gordon, who is resting a foot injury, and Bird has been forced to miss time with a shoulder injury. But the team has hardly missed a beat, compiling an impressive 9-5 record in Nike Elite Youth Basketball League play. Johnson has come up big, leading the team with 16.1 points per game in EYBL action.

"My role kind of changed when we had the injuries," says Johnson. "I went from basically having one-third of the scoring load to having two-thirds of the scoring load. I'm just trying to do a little bit of everything."

Key Players:

Aaron Gordon, F, 2013: Gordon is currently sitting out with a broken bone in his foot, but he's progressing nicely and expects to be back by the end of the summer. "He told me he could play right now if he had to," says Olivier. "But the foot needs rest. He'll be back at 100 percent." Gordon is No. 4 in the ESPN 100.

Jabari Bird, G/F, 2013: A 6-foot-5 swingman, Bird possesses a deadly outside shot. "I think he's the best mid-range shooter in the country," says Gordon. "I know that's a bold statement, but I really think he's the best." Bird is averaging 11.2 points per game during EYBL play. He's ranked No. 11 in the ESPN 100.

Stanley Johnson, F, 2014: A 6-foot-5 forward, Johnson has stepped up in Gordon's absence, averaging a team-high 16.1 points during EYBL play. He's also posting 6.6 rebounds per game and shooting 50 percent from the floor. "He's a meat-and-potatoes player," says Olivier. "He's just so fundamentally sound. He's the ultimate team player."

Key Dates:

EYBL Session 4: May 25-27 in Oakland, Calif.
Nike Peach Jam: July 18-22 in Augusta, S.C.
Fab 48 AAU Finals: July 22-28 in Las Vegas

The Soldiers came up short at last year's Nike Peach Jam but rebounded to take the FAB 48 title in Las Vegas. They would like to win both crowns this season, and once Gordon returns to the lineup, they may have to be considered the favorite at both events.

"When we had everybody playing, we were really good," says Johnson. "So I think as we start to get them back and the season goes on and we get more practice, I think we'll be able to compete for the final four at Peach Jam, or even win the championship."

"That's our main focus this summer," says Gordon. "We don't just want to get to Peach Jam, we want to compete and come out on top there."

Famous Alums:

LeBron James (Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player)
Kendrick Perkins (2003 1st-round NBA Draft pick)
Chauncey Billups (2004 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player)
Brandon Jennings (2009 1st-round NBA Draft pick)

Follow Mike Grimala on Twitter (@MGrimalaESPN).

Each week this summer leading up to the AAU National Championships in Orlando in July, ESPNHS will profile one of the nation's top AAU teams and tell you why you should be paying attention.

Team: Mac Irvin Fire
Location: Chicago, Ill.
Coach: Mike Irvin

What you need to know about Mac Irvin Fire:

This team has star power. Leading the way is small forward Jabari Parker, the No. 1 junior in the country and reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year. But he's not the only elite talent on the squad. Power forward Jahlil Okafor is the No. 2 player in the class of 2014. There are two other ESPN 60 players in the starting lineup: Tommy Hamilton at No. 42 and Billy Garrett Jr. at No. 50.

Coach Mike Irvin likes to play an up-tempo, open-court game in order to take advantage of all his playmakers.

"We get up and down," he says. "Jabari is 6-9 and runs the floor like a deer, and even Jahlil can run for a big man. We try to showcase the guys like that."

Key Players:

Jabari Parker, F, 2013: If there's a way to defend Parker effectively, we haven't seen it yet. The offense runs through the 6-foot-8 forward, who can score from any spot on the floor. "When you've got the No. 1 player in the country, you've got a shot to win any tournament," says Irvin.

Jahlil Okafor, F, 2014: Okafor gives the Fire a luxury that few other teams have -- an old-school low-post scorer. The 6-foot-9 forward has excellent touch around the basket, and the size to control the paint. "He's very strong around the basket," says Irvin. "He's a dominant big man."

Billy Garrett Jr., G, 2013: The No. 8 point guard in the ESPN 60, Garrett brings size and athleticism to the position. Irvin likes to let his 6-foot-5 floor general push the ball in transition. "We've got a lot of talent," says Garrett, "so I just try to get guys their shots."

Tommy Hamilton, F, 2013: A 6-foot-8 forward, Hamilton's smooth offensive game complements Okafor's power. When Hamilton, Okafor and Parker are on the floor at the same time, the Mac Irvin Fire boasts the nation's best frontcourt.

Key Dates:

EYBL Session 3: May 11-13 in Dallas
EYBL Session 4: May 25-28 in Oakland, Calif.
Nike Peach Jam: July 18-21 in North Augusta, S.C.
Las Vegas Fab 48: July 26-29 in Las Vegas

Garrett played on last year's Mac Irvin Fire team, which was bounced in the quarterfinals at the Nike Peach Jam, and he believes this squad has enough firepower to come out on top this time around.

"I think we have a great chance," says Garrett Jr. "We've got the players, we've got the coaches, we've got everything we need to win it this year. We can definitely do it."

Famous Alums:

Antoine Walker, Juwan Howard

Follow Mike Grimala on Twitter (@MGrimalaESPN).

Each week this summer leading up to the AAU National Championships in Orlando in July, ESPNHS will profile one of the nation's top AAU teams and tell you why you should be paying attention.

Team: BABC
Location: Boston, Mass.
Coach: Leo Papile

What you need to know about BABC:

Coach Leo Papile has built BABC into a national powerhouse. Last year, led by superstars like Kentucky-bound Nerlens Noel, the Boston-based squad won the Nike Peach Jam. Without the shot blocking of Noel to anchor the defense this season, there will be a void in the frontcourt. But what BABC lacks in height, it makes up for in quickness and athleticism. Few teams in the country can match up when BABC goes small.

"With the loss of Nerlens, people don't expect us to be as good this year," says Class of 2013 point guard Jaylen Brantley. "We're out to prove everyone wrong."

Key Players:

Jaylen Brantley, G, 2013: Brantley is rated as the No. 1 player in Massachusetts for 2013. A strong, tough point guard, he's responsible for running the offense and creating havoc in BABC's pressure defense.

Rene Castro, G, 2013: A 6-foot-2 guard, Castro won Gatorade State Player of the Year honors as the top baller in Massachusetts this winter. He averaged 23.4 points per game for Worcester Academy and hit 41.7 percent of his 3-pointers. "He can score pretty much whenever he wants to," says Brantley.

Wayne Selden, G/F, 2014: The No. 6 player in the ESPN 25, Selden is a swingman who does most of his damage in the open floor. At 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Selden overpowers opponents on his way to the basket.

Key Dates:

EYBL Session 3: May 11-13 in Dallas
EYBL Session 4: May 25-28 in Oakland, Calif.
Boston Shootout: June 2-3 in Boston
Nike Peach Jam: July 18-21 in North Augusta, S.C.

Selden is looking forward to the Nike Peach Jam and believes BABC can defend its crown, despite losing an incredible amount of talent from last year's team.

"Last year there were a lot of talented teams at Peach Jam," he says. "I'm not downplaying anybody, but this year I don't think there's any one team that stands out. I think it's anybody's to win. No one has really set themselves up as that clear No. 1 team, so it's still up for grabs."

Famous Alums:

Nerlens Noel, Patrick Ewing

Follow Mike Grimala on Twitter (@MGrimalaESPN)