Louisiana Basketball Training – Trainers, Teams, & Camps
Louisiana offers hundreds of basketball trainers, camps, and select teams across every region of the state — from New Orleans to Shreveport to the Acadiana heartland. That’s a lot of options, but not all answers. This page exists to provide context, not direction — helping families ask better questions rather than rushing decisions.
Why This Louisiana Basketball Training Directory Exists
Louisiana basketball training options are scattered across dozens of websites, social media pages, and word-of-mouth networks. Whether you’re in New Orleans navigating the Catholic League scene, in Baton Rouge choosing between Madison Prep-area trainers, or in Shreveport looking at club programs — the amount of information (and marketing) can feel overwhelming.
This page isn’t another “Top 10 Best” list. We organize what exists in Louisiana basketball training — trainers, camps, select teams, and college programs — so families can evaluate options based on their own goals, budget, and situation. Some families need intense AAU exposure. Others just want solid skill development before school tryouts. Both are valid.
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Our Approach: Context, Not Direction
We don’t rank trainers or camps as “best” — we help you understand what makes different programs right for different needs. The best trainer for one family in Baton Rouge might not fit another’s goals, budget, or learning style. Louisiana’s basketball landscape is uniquely split between select and non-select pathways, and understanding that distinction matters more than any ranking list.
Louisiana Basketball Season Calendar: When Everything Actually Happens
This timeline exists to help you plan thoughtfully, not to create panic about deadlines. Louisiana’s basketball season has a unique wrinkle most families don’t realize until they’re in it: girls basketball starts a full month before boys, and the select (private school) playoffs run a week later than public school brackets.
High School Season (LHSAA)
- September 8 (Girls) / October 13 (Boys): First practice allowed by LHSAA — yes, girls start over a month earlier
- Late October – November: Jamborees and first games begin across all classifications
- November – February: Regular season — your school team’s primary focus
- Late February: Bi-district and regional playoff rounds across the state
- March 2-7: Non-select state championships (Classes 5A-1A)
- March 9-14: Select state championships (Divisions I-IV) at Burton Complex, Lake Charles
AAU/Select Basketball Season
Here’s what surprises many Louisiana families: AAU tryouts often start in late February and early March — while the high school season is still happening. Teams form quickly because they want rosters set before spring tournaments begin.
- February – March: Tryouts happening (yes, during school season)
- March – April: Season launches immediately after state tournaments end
- April – May: Spring tournament season
- June – July: Peak summer tournaments — teams travel to Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Orlando
- August: Season winds down
Basketball Camps
- May – June: Early summer camps start
- June – July: Peak camp season across Louisiana
- LSU Basketball Camps in Baton Rouge
- Louisiana Tech Bulldogs camps in Ruston
- McNeese State camps in Lake Charles
- UL Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns camps
- Private trainer camps throughout major metros
- Late July – August: Final summer opportunities before fall training begins
Year-Round Training
- September – October: Fall skill development — trainers are busiest preparing players for school tryouts
- March – July: The overlap season — AAU practices, tournaments, and camps all happening simultaneously. This is when families feel stretched.
- Anytime: Private training is available year-round in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette
Planning Timeline, Not Pressure Timeline
This calendar shows when programs typically run in Louisiana — not deadlines you must meet. Some families train year-round. Others focus only on school season. Some skip AAU entirely. The goal is understanding what exists and when, so you can make choices that fit your family’s goals, budget, and capacity. Keep in mind that Mardi Gras (mid-February) and hurricane season can affect scheduling in Louisiana more than most states.
The Louisiana Reality: Louisiana’s geography creates distinct basketball regions. New Orleans families have access to the densest concentration of trainers, camps, and AAU programs. Baton Rouge and Lafayette are strong secondary hubs. But if you’re in rural north Louisiana, central Louisiana, or the bayou region, you’ll be driving to Shreveport, Baton Rouge, or New Orleans for many AAU tournaments and higher-level camps. That’s not a failure — that’s Louisiana geography. Plan accordingly, and know that quality training exists in smaller markets too.
For official season dates and rules, visit the LHSAA Boys Basketball page and LHSAA Girls Basketball page.
Types of Louisiana Basketball Training Programs
Each type serves different needs. None is inherently better — they’re tools for different situations.
Private Trainers
Best For: Individual skill development, shooting mechanics, position-specific work, pre-tryout preparation
What to Know: Ranges from $30-$100+ per session in Louisiana. Many trainers work out of school gyms or recreation centers. Quality varies widely — ask for references and observe a session before committing.
Basketball Camps
Best For: Exposure to different coaching styles, meeting peers, intensive multi-day skill immersion, fun competitive environment
What to Know: College camps at LSU, Louisiana Tech, and McNeese offer exposure to college facilities. Day camps vs. overnight camps serve different age groups. Summer is peak season — registration often opens in spring.
Select & AAU Teams
Best For: Competitive team play outside school season, tournament experience, college exposure opportunities
What to Know: Louisiana AAU teams travel heavily — Houston and Dallas tournaments are standard. Costs range from $500-$3,000+ depending on travel requirements. The “select” label in Louisiana also refers to the LHSAA private school classification, which is separate from AAU.
Louisiana High School Basketball Rankings
What Rankings Actually Tell You
These rankings help understand the competitive landscape in Louisiana — they don’t define where your child should aim. Louisiana uniquely splits its playoffs into “select” (private/magnet schools) and “non-select” (zoned public schools), which means a team ranked #1 in one bracket might face entirely different competition than another. A player from an unranked school can still reach college basketball. These are reference points, not ceilings.
Source: High School on SI (Mike Coppage) — February 2026. Rankings combine all classifications.
Boys Basketball Top 10
| # | School | City | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peabody Magnet | Alexandria | 26-2 |
| 2 | Madison Prep | Baton Rouge | 27-4 |
| 3 | Calvary Baptist | Shreveport | 24-4 |
| 4 | Zachary | Zachary | 27-4 |
| 5 | John Curtis Christian | River Ridge | 24-2 |
| 6 | Ruston | Ruston | 18-3 |
| 7 | Marksville | Marksville | 23-4 |
| 8 | Alexandria Senior High | Alexandria | 26-3 |
| 9 | Metairie Park Country Day | Metairie | 18-6 |
| 10 | St. Thomas More | Lafayette | 23-8 |
View complete rankings at High School on SI – Louisiana
Girls Basketball Top 10
| # | School | City | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Curtis Christian | River Ridge | Div. I Select |
| 2 | Simpson | Simpson | Class C Champs |
| 3 | Zachary | Zachary | Div. I Non-Select |
| 4 | Southern Lab | Baton Rouge | Div. IV Select |
| 5 | Slidell | Slidell | Div. I Non-Select |
| 6 | Fairview | Fairview | Class B |
| 7 | Prairieville | Prairieville | Div. I Non-Select |
| 8 | Oak Grove | Oak Grove | Div. III Non-Select |
| 9 | Parkview Baptist | Baton Rouge | Div. II Select |
| 10 | Bell City | Bell City | Class B |
View complete rankings at High School on SI – Louisiana
Louisiana College Basketball Programs
College Basketball Is One Possible Outcome
College basketball is one possible outcome of youth development — not an expectation. Understanding what’s available in Louisiana helps families set realistic timelines and goals without creating pressure. Louisiana has no NCAA Division II programs, but strong D1, D3, NAIA, and junior college options create multiple pathways for players at every level.
NCAA Division I Programs
| School | City | Conference | Men’s | Women’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSU | Baton Rouge | SEC | Men’s | Women’s |
| Tulane | New Orleans | AAC | Men’s | Women’s |
| UL Lafayette | Lafayette | Sun Belt | Men’s | Women’s |
| UL Monroe | Monroe | Sun Belt | Men’s | Women’s |
| Louisiana Tech | Ruston | C-USA | Men’s | Women’s |
| McNeese State | Lake Charles | Southland | Men’s | Women’s |
| Nicholls State | Thibodaux | Southland | Men’s | Women’s |
| Northwestern State | Natchitoches | Southland | Men’s | Women’s |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Hammond | Southland | Men’s | Women’s |
| Southern University | Baton Rouge | SWAC | Men’s | Women’s |
| Grambling State | Grambling | SWAC | Men’s | Women’s |
| University of New Orleans | New Orleans | Southland | Men’s | Women’s |
NCAA Division III, NAIA & Junior College
| School | City | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Centenary College | Shreveport | NCAA D3 (SCAC) |
| Xavier University of LA | New Orleans | NAIA (RRAC) |
| Dillard University | New Orleans | NAIA (GCAC) |
| Loyola University New Orleans | New Orleans | NAIA (SSAC) |
| LSU Shreveport | Shreveport | NAIA (RRAC) — Ranked #13 nationally |
| Louisiana Christian University | Pineville | NAIA (RRAC) |
| Southern Univ. at New Orleans | New Orleans | NAIA (GCAC) |
| Baton Rouge Community College | Baton Rouge | NJCAA (LCCAC) |
| Delgado Community College | New Orleans | NJCAA (LCCAC) |
| Southern Univ. at Shreveport | Shreveport | NJCAA (LCCAC) |
| Bossier Parish Community College | Bossier City | NJCAA (Region XIV) |
Understanding Louisiana’s College Landscape
Louisiana has no NCAA Division II programs, which is unusual. This means the jump from high school to college basketball often goes directly from NAIA or junior college to D1, or from high school to D3. Louisiana’s four NJCAA programs offer a valuable bridge — especially for players who need academic development time or aren’t ready physically for a four-year program. HBCUs like Grambling State, Southern University, Xavier, and Dillard provide unique athletic and academic opportunities worth exploring.
How to Evaluate Louisiana Basketball Training Programs
We don’t tell you who to pick. We help you know what to ask. Better questions lead to better decisions.
Questions About Experience
- In a state where coaches like Danny Broussard (STM, 1,185+ wins) and Charles Smith (Peabody, 37 district titles) have decades of experience — what’s your coaching background and track record with players at my child’s level?
- Have any of your players gone on to play at Louisiana D1 programs (LSU, Tulane, UL Lafayette, etc.) or the NAIA programs in the state?
- How do you approach the select vs. non-select dynamic that’s unique to Louisiana basketball?
Questions About Structure
- Louisiana AAU teams travel to Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta regularly — what’s the total all-in cost for the season including tournament entry, hotels, and travel?
- How does your program’s schedule work around LHSAA dead periods and the Mardi Gras break?
- With girls basketball starting a month before boys in Louisiana, how do you adjust training schedules?
Red Flags in Louisiana’s Market
- Claims of guaranteed exposure to SEC or Sun Belt coaches without naming specific tournaments where those coaches actually attend
- Programs that pressure families to commit before the high school season ends — AAU tryout timing creates real urgency, but the best programs give you time to decide
- Trainers who bash the LHSAA select/non-select structure to sell their services rather than helping you navigate it
- Anyone promising your child a spot at LSU or another D1 program — in a state that produces 100+ NBA players historically but sends a small fraction of high schoolers to play college ball
Pricing in Louisiana
- Private training: $30-$100+ per session (higher in New Orleans/Baton Rouge metro areas)
- Group training: $15-$40 per session
- Day camps: $150-$400 per week
- Overnight camps: $400-$800+
- AAU/Select teams: $500-$3,000+ per season (travel to Texas tournaments adds significantly)
Want a Complete Evaluation Framework?
Our free guide covers what to ask, what to look for, and how to compare programs side-by-side.
Louisiana Basketball Training by City
Louisiana’s basketball landscape shifts dramatically by region. Here’s what the training market looks like in the state’s major cities.
New Orleans
Pop. 372,000
The Catholic League rivalry between St. Augustine, Brother Martin, Jesuit, and Archbishop Shaw is one of the most storied traditions in Louisiana basketball. Edna Karr and L.B. Landry represent public school power. New Orleans produced Clyde Drexler, Avery Johnson, and Elfrid Payton. Tulane, Xavier, Dillard, Loyola, and UNO offer five college basketball options within city limits.
Baton Rouge
Pop. 223,000
Home to LSU and Southern University — two D1 programs on opposite sides of town. Madison Prep Academy (ranked #2 statewide boys) and Zachary (#4) are the dominant programs. Woodlawn, Scotlandville, and Southern Lab represent different competitive brackets. Bob Pettit, the NBA’s first MVP, was born in Baton Rouge. BRCC offers an NJCAA development pathway.
Shreveport
Pop. 181,000
North Louisiana’s basketball hub. Calvary Baptist (ranked #3 statewide boys) and Huntington are perennial powers. Byrd and Captain Shreve add depth. Robert Parish and Robert Williams III are NBA products from Shreveport. LSU Shreveport’s NAIA program was ranked #13 nationally in 2026. Centenary College offers NCAA D3 basketball. Proximity to Dallas/Houston makes AAU travel accessible.
Lafayette
Pop. 122,000
Heart of Acadiana and a basketball hotbed. St. Thomas More’s Danny Broussard recently tied Bob Hurley for fifth among the nation’s winningest boys basketball coaches with 1,185+ victories. Westgate, Teurlings Catholic, Northside, and Lafayette Christian all compete at high levels. UL Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns offer D1 basketball and run popular summer camps.
Lake Charles
Pop. 83,000
Southwest Louisiana hosts the LHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships at the Burton Complex — meaning every top team in the state plays here each March. McNeese State provides D1 basketball. Washington-Marion, Sulphur, Barbe, and Lake Charles College Prep are competitive programs. Bell City, a tiny school nearby, regularly beats Class 5A teams in girls basketball.
Monroe
Pop. 48,000
Northeast Louisiana’s basketball center. Bill Russell, the 11-time NBA champion, was born in Monroe. Wossman (ranked top 15 boys and girls) and Neville are perennial powers. Carroll and Ouachita Parish add depth. ULM Warhawks provide D1 basketball opportunity. Smaller but intense basketball community where families know every program personally.
Alexandria
Pop. 46,000
Central Louisiana basketball punches above its weight. Peabody Magnet is the #1 boys team in the entire state (2026) under legendary coach Charles Smith, who has won 37 district championships. ASH (Alexandria Senior High) is ranked #8. Louisiana Christian University (NAIA) in neighboring Pineville hosts RRAC basketball tournaments. A solid training market despite its smaller size.
Bossier City
Pop. 68,000
Paired with Shreveport as north Louisiana’s basketball corridor. Bossier Bearkats are ranked in the state top 25. Airline and Parkway are competitive programs — Parkway’s girls had a 56-game district winning streak snapped in 2026. BPCC runs NJCAA basketball in Region XIV. Access to Shreveport’s training infrastructure makes this a strong combined market.
Houma / Thibodaux
Bayou Region
The bayou region where Nicholls State University (D1, Southland Conference) anchors college basketball in Thibodaux. Terrebonne, South Lafourche, Vandebilt Catholic, and E.D. White Catholic are notable programs. Families here often travel to Baton Rouge or New Orleans for higher-level AAU competition. Nicholls runs quality camps every summer.
Natchitoches
Pop. 18,000
Small city with outsized basketball impact. Natchitoches-Central was ranked top 10 statewide (boys) before late-season losses. Northwestern State University provides D1 basketball. NBA Hall of Famer Joe Dumars grew up here. Despite its size, Natchitoches produces Division I-caliber talent consistently.
Slidell / Northshore
St. Tammany Parish
The Northshore area across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans. Slidell girls are ranked top 5 statewide. Northshore (ranked top 25 boys), Covington, and Fontainebleau are competitive programs. Archbishop Hannan (Covington) is a defending boys state champion in Division II select. Southeastern Louisiana (D1) in nearby Hammond offers college pathway. Growing training market with New Orleans spillover.
Hammond
Pop. 20,000
Home to Southeastern Louisiana University (D1, Southland Conference), which provides a pipeline for Tangipahoa Parish athletes. Hammond High girls compete in Division I select playoffs. Ponchatoula nearby has a growing basketball presence. SLU basketball camps serve the I-12 corridor between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
Getting Started with Louisiana Basketball Training
Understand Your Goals
Skill development? Making a school team? AAU exposure? College recruitment? Each goal requires a different approach and different Louisiana programs.
Research Your Local Market
Find your city above, understand what’s available, and use our evaluation guides to compare options side by side.
Ask Better Questions
Use our free evaluation guides to ask trainers, camps, and AAU programs the right questions before committing time and money.
Ready to Start Evaluating Programs?
Download our free guides to help your family make confident, informed decisions about Louisiana basketball training.
