FAQ

Tryouts and team formation

How do Tryouts work and when are they?

Tryouts for the fall will be Tuesday, August 25 and Wednesday, August 26 at Pro3:5 Sports Academy for grades 3-7 (class of 2032-2036). RBL will have 8 teams from those age groups. Everybody will be asked to attend on August 25 and those new to RBL (or not recently played for RBL) MAY be asked to come back on August 26. Tryout registration will open on Monday, July 27.

Is there a cost to attend tryouts?

Yes, $10 which covers the cost of the gym.

What grades do you go to?

Our oldest class will be the 2032 class and we will continue to grow with that class. Currently the highest grade we have is 7th grade (2032 class), but in the 2027-28 season we will grow with the 2032 class and have 8th grade. We plan to go through high school.

Will there be a 2032 (7th grade) Winter Season and when are Spring Tryouts for 2032?

Because many 2032 players participate in middle school basketball, we will not offer a Winter Season. However, Spring Tryouts will be held December 14 & 16, with practices beginning in late February. Decisions following December tryouts will be one of the following:
- Roster Offer: Accepted onto an RBL team.
- On the Bubble: Invited back to a second tryout session in February to finalize placement.
- Not Offered: Did not make an RBL roster this season.

How many teams does RBL have?

RBL continues to grow and will ultimately have 12-14 teams with 1-3 teams per age group. Our capacity is limited until our new facility is built (expected early 2027).

How many players are on a team?

We expect to have no less than 7 and no more than 8. If players are going to miss a tournament, we pull from other teams to make sure we have enough to compete.

Do you allow players to join a team Mid-season?

No, unless a rare situation such as an injury or kids leaving the team presents itself.

Do you allow extra players to “fill-in” even if they aren’t part of RBL?

No. You must be part of the RBL family in order to play in any RBL tournaments. An exception could be made if we don’t have enough to field a team, but this is not expected.

season expectations

What is the duration and cost of a season?

We have three seasons:
Fall: early September to early November
Winter: mid-January to mid-March
Spring: mid-March to early June (4th–6th graders); mid-February to mid-July (7th graders)

Tryouts are held for Fall and Winter, with Spring being an extension of the Winter season. Winter players can opt out of Spring to accommodate other sports, and limited Spring tryouts fill any open spots left by players who don't continue.

Cost is $600 per season, which covers gym time, coaches, and administration ($800 for 7th grade Spring, to cover additional gym space). RBL can help with fundraising if you'd like support covering the cost. Uniforms and gear are sold separately and carry over from season to season.

Does RBL have its own gym? where do you practice?

RBL will use the new Pro3:5 Sports Academy located at 1810 Roundrock Drive in North Raleigh until the RBL gym (1711 Roundrock Drive) is completed in early 2027.

How many tournaments does RBL Play?

We expect to play 1-2 tournaments each month, but it depends on the season. We emphasize practice over games and believe games are fun, but practice is where you really get better.

Is RBL an AAU, Select Team or Travel Basketball organization?

Yes! AAU has turned into the generic term like Kleenex is for tissue. There is an AAU organization that hosts tournaments, but most people are the US uses AAU as the general term for Select Team basketball or Travel Basketball. We play in the same types of tournaments that top teams around the country play. We attempt to find the right level of competition for each of our teams to make it a fun but competitive experience.

Does RBL Travel for tournaments?

In most cases, we stay within a 2-hour radius of Raleigh. Our top teams may travel a little further for more competitive play. Teams may be determined by interest level in traveling which will be asked during registration.

Are tournaments one-day or multi-day?

We will play both, but most tournaments are one-day tournaments. RBL is a Christian organization and we do want to avoid playing on too many Sundays.

How does Playing Time Work in Games?

RBL teams should only have eight players max on a team for a tournament to allow for reasonable playing time. All kids will play; however, increased playing time can be earned based on attitude and work ethic. Because RBL is a Select Team, we will not adhere to "equal playing time for all." Work ethic, attitude and ability will play major factors.

What if my child has conflicts during practices or games?

We understand there are both prior commitments and last-minute emergencies. In order to improve both individually and as a team, committing to and attending practices and games are very important. Communication is key, so please let us know as far in advance as possible (via PlayMetrics) when a practice or game will be missed.

Can my child play on another select team at the same time as RBL?

We ask if you are, to share it with us. It is possible if practices/tournaments don't conflict. As RBL continues to develop in popularity, we expect RBL to be your priority. If it isn’t, it may be challenging for your child to be selected on our team. Through our experience, it is really challenging for kids to play for multiple teams. They play in too many tournaments and struggle to consistently make practice. If they do consistently make practice, we often see burnout. The different terminology, plays, and coaching styles can also impact their learning ability.

Does RBL run plays, and how challenging will they be for my child to remember?

RBL will have a few plays, but RBL has a Euro-American approach to teaching our youth. We will teach concepts vs plays. For example, we won't typically be teaching our kids to run a specific play, but we want to teach them when their defender loses sight of you (without the ball), you look to cut to the basket. Spacing is everything is basketball and it is our goal to over emphasize this in our practices.

COMMUNITY SERVICE and CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION

What if my family does not practice Christianity?

RBL is a Christian organization, and it is embedded in our values and practices. There will be times when we have discussions about Christian values and Bible verses. We don't intend to overwhelm anyone, but we welcome the opportunity to grow in faith together. If you strongly object to the idea of Christianity, we would love the opportunity to discuss program to see if it is a good fit everyone.

Does RBL get involved in Community Service?

Yes. Community Services is expected to be a major theme for RBL once the new facility is completed. We expect to give all teams, players, and their families an opportunity to get involved. The expectation is community service will be primarily with Christian Organizations. If you have suggestions on community service projects that might be a good fit for RBL, please email info@raydobasketball.org.

RBL DIFFERENCE, PARENTS, and GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

What Separates RBL from Other Select Teams?

We are very focused on the players and not the team (I know that sounds weird, but stay with me). We put very low focus on winning games/tournaments. We care that each player learns how to play basketball. We want each player to know how to dribble, pass and shoot. We want each player to understand how spacing works, how to get open and how to get your teammates open. We want to teach each player how to be a good teammate. We know building team chemistry is great to win games (and our program does this), but ultimately most kids when they get into middle and high school will have different teammates so learning how to play with different kids is very important.

What is the Parent’s Involvement?

We encourage all parents to be their kid's biggest supporter! Cheering from the sidelines and watching practices is great; however, we do ask you refrain from coaching them during games. RBL coaches are always open to feedback off the court and happy to set up a time to talk. If you or your child is frustrated by something, we ask you observe a 24-hour rule prior to approaching the coach or Coach Raydo to make sure emotion isn't playing a major role in the discussion. RBL coaches will proactively share individual performance improvements with parents, so you can work on them at home. Continued practice outside of practices/ games is very important to reinforce the skills they learn at practice and games.

Is Matt Raydo going to try to convert my child into a Maryland fan?

I am a Maryland fan first and Kansas fan second (I grew up in Kansas City so Kansas fan growing up). My wife went to NC State. While being a Maryland fan, we are supposed to hate Duke... I don't. I also don't hate UNC. I enjoy college basketball and don't get caught up in hating teams although I may prefer some over others. I do love that kids have a favorite team versus player as I think it promotes being a team player.

Does RBL provide group or individual training?

RBL currently has several skilled trainers who provide individual ($70/hr) and small-group training with 2-4 players ($50/hr/person). You don't have to be part of RBL AAU to get training. Until RBL Gym is finished in early 2027, gym space remains to be a challenge. Pro3:5 gym sometimes offers space for free for RBL, which is not guaranteed. You would work with the RBL trainer to find a suitable location/time.

Does RBL use other people outside of the coaching staff to instruct players?

Coach Raydo believes building a network of people to help instruct is the best way to go. Hearing one or two voices always during practice or trainings does not help the team grow. Matt is networking with various coaches and trainers around the Triangle to help bring different voices to the program. Matt makes sure they align to the RBL way.

Will my Child get better at basketball?

This is our goal. And while basketball is fun, RBL is a competitive program, and we will teach the skills necessary to become better players. We know becoming a great athlete isn't just about physical abilities, so we will put as much effort into developing mental toughness, teamwork, discipline, and leadership as we do basketball. We will stress fundamentals and even though the game of basketball has evolved over the years, it is still important to have key fundamentals for both success at the team and individual level. It is imperative that we build correct habits in all facets of the game to make the most consistent basketball player.

FAQ