Winter Session Tryouts
3 Weeks Away
Register Below
Illinois Tigers Basketball is an AAU Basketball Club
The Illinois Tigers basketball program is based in Northern Illinois. We believe that elite level ballplayer is not a title that is given, but rather earned. We believe that family, passion, and hard work are the building blocks. It is the Tigers mission to help youth and high school players reach the next level – whatever level that may be for that specific player.
2026 Winter Tryouts
Winter 2026 Boys and Girls Tryout Dates and Times:
Winter Tryouts
- Date: Tuesday, October 27th
- Location: The MAC (1310 Ridgefield Rd, Crystal Lake, IL)
- 3rd Grade – 5th Grade: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- 6th Grade – 8th Grade: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Season Overview
- Season Dates: November 10th – February 13th
Practice Schedule
- Boys: Tuesdays & Thursdays at The MAC (1310 Ridgefield Rd, Crystal Lake, IL)
- 3rd Grade & 4th Grade: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- 5th Grade & 6th Grade: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- 7th Grade & 8th Grade: 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- Girls: Mondays & Wednesdays at Algonquin Middle School (520 Longwood Drive, Algonquin, IL)
- 3rd Grade – 5th Grade: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- 6th Grade – 8th Grade: 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Tentative Tournament Schedule (6 Tournaments / 12 Games)
- Saturday, Dec 5th
- Saturday, Dec 12th
- Saturday, Jan 9th
- Saturday, Jan 23rd
- Saturday, Feb 6th
- Saturday, Feb 13th
Fees
- Winter Session: $800 (Payment Plans Available)
- Uniform Package: $175
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Contact - Coachmaliknicholson@gmail.com
Phone - 917-376-7328
2026/2027 National Team Tryouts
National Team Tryout Dates and Time
Tryout Date, Times and Grade:
National/Elite team tryouts for the Spring/Summer 2027 season will take place on Thursday, October 22nd at The MAC (1310 Ridgefield Rd, Crystal Lake, IL).
We are seeking players for our Elite High School teams (15U, 16U, 17U) who want to compete in high-level tournaments and aspire to play college basketball. The season will run from mid-March through the last week of July.
This season, we will compete in the Recruit Look, Prep Hoops, NY2LA, and Made Hoops circuits. Please review the tentative schedules below:
Tentative Schedule – Elite Team RL
- April 2–4: Chicago, IL
- April 23–25: Indianapolis, IN
- April 30 – May 2: Milwaukee, WI
- May 14–16: Kansas City
- May 28–30: Milwaukee, WI
- July 9–11: Indianapolis, IN
- July 16–18: Chicago, IL
Tentative Schedule – Elite Team PH/NY2LA
- April 9–11: Chicago, IL
- April 16–18: Indianapolis, IN
- May 7–9: Minneapolis, MN
- May 21–23: Chicago, IL
- May 28–30: Milwaukee, WI
- July 2–3: Chicago, IL
- July 24–26: Chicago, IL
Contact - Coachmaliknicholson@gmail.com
Phone - 917-376-7328
Illinois Tigers In Action
The Illinois Tigers basketball program is based in Northern Illinois. We believe that elite level ballplayer is not a title that is given, but rather earned. We believe that family, passion, and hard work are the building blocks. It is the Tigers mission to help youth and high school players reach the next level – whatever level that may be for that specific player.
Now Hiring Paid Coaches
Do you have basketball coaching experience? Have you coached at the AAU or high level travel level? We are currently looking for coaches to train and coach our 5th grade and 6th grade boys teams. If you are interested in hearing more please complete the form below and we will contact you.
Contact Us
Tigers Staff
Malik Nicholson
Director of Operations & Head Coach
Deon Robinson
Head Coach
Amanda Nicholson
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Ron Mattner
Coach
Kelly Barnes
Sports Performance and Nutrition Specialist
Sara Zielinski
Coach
Tim Barnes
Coach