Welcome to District 1 Basketball Academy!

District 1 Basketball Academy is an AAU travel basketball team as well as a skills training academy for girls and boys . D1BA is more than just an AAU traveling team. Anyone can put together a team of so-called “elite” athletes. As the 2016 NBA draft showed us - 6 of the top 10 players were from other countries where there is a much greater focus on fundamentals versus in the U.S. were  game time is often a priority. Some of the "premier" teams and programs in America are missing the mark by not ensuring skills training and basketball IQ are critical elements of their program.

At D1BA, we focus on building athletes of character, with tremendous talent, who are also team players. We believe in developing the whole athlete. We are passionate about helping every player achieve their maximum potential through training, dedication, fundamentals, practice, games, team building, and service to the local community.

What Makes Us Different?

District 1 Basketball Academy believes that true skills are developed through practice and are showcased in games. Games are fun, but where an athlete really learns to play the game is at practice and through specialized training. That’s why we have practices, camps, clinics and workshops all year long. Even if you can’t be part of the traveling team, you can still be improving your game throughout the year.

We believe it’s all about the “touches” – shooting, passing, dribbling, etc. At practice, a player handles the ball hundreds of times, while during a game, they may touch it less than twenty times. It’s pretty hard to improve your game when you don’t get to touch the ball. A D1BA, practice involves breaking down the fundamentals of the game into different steps. We teach proper technique with drills proven to get results as well as targeted conditioning, all in a positive and encouraging atmosphere.

We know there is much debate on the merits of an AAU team vs. a high school or local team. Owner Chris Tague has vast experience in both worlds and believes it doesn’t have to be an either/or situation. He combines the strengths of both types of programs creating a unique environment that produces the exceptional athlete without sacrificing the comradery and family feel so many other AAU programs lack.

Community service and building character will be a part of our mission at District 1 Basketball Academy. Because we care about so much more than just building a team that plays basketball, each team will volunteer for an event each session as well as participate in local community events giving back to those in need.

Who’s Behind Our Game?

At D1BA our passion for developing the whole athlete starts with our owner and founder, Chris Tague. Coach Tague has spent over 20 years coaching at the CYO and AAU level as a Head Coach. He started his AAU career at the Chester County Wizards, coached two successful seasons with Explosion Basketball, in addition he ran and coached the Brandywine Bulls for three seasons.  He also has coached at the high school (West Chester Rustin, Westtown School)  and collegiate-level (Neumann University, Immaculata University, Williamson College) as well. He is currently an assistant coach at Ursinus College.
 

Coach Tague played at Sun Valley High School, is a 1,000 point scorer at Neumann University and a member of the University's Sports Hall of Fame. He has a B.S. in Business Administration from Neumann University and a B.S. in Nutrition/Dietetics from West Chester University. Coach Tague is also the founder of Top Notch Drillz & Skillz Basketball, which provides a fundamental based training to players with game-like skills through clinics, camps and private training all year round. He is a certified personal trainer, registered dietician, and has fifteen year of experience at a Fortune 500 company.

All this expertise and experience is poured into D1BA. Our passion is to develop a club that is well-known for producing highly-skilled competitors of character who are team players, are exceptional student athletes, and are positive influences in their community.

What Do We Do?

D1BA’s AAU program has two practices a week with an additional third day totally dedicated to improving the fundamentals of the game. This third day, focusing on skill work and conditioning, allows our coaches to put more emphasis on offense, defense, team strategy, and game play the other two practice days.

We also offer a wealth of training throughout the year for any athlete, whether they are on the team or not.

- Summer Camps – Build your skills as well as friendships that can last a lifetime.
- Fall Pre-Season Clinics – Get your skills ready for upcoming tryouts.
- Private Training – Work with a shooting or conditioning coach to get the most from your game.
- Small Group Training – Improve your skills in a smaller group setting.
- Team Training – It’s not just about the player, it’s about how the team plays together.
- Nutrition – Unique to us, we offer nutritional consultation for our players such as a specific meal plan including pre and post snacks tailored for maximum performance.
- Conditioning Sessions – A well-conditioned athlete can outlast their opponent every time. We focus on the specific skeletal and muscular needs of the basketball player, giving special attention to preventing ACL damage.
- Multiple Workshops and Specialty Clinics Throughout the Year – If you don’t see it, ask us! We can tailor a program to fit your needs!