The DR32 Basketball Club was established in 2018. The club is a program of and works in conjunction with All-American Basketball Academy. The primary objective was to provide players in the area with a much needed higher-quality basketball program that stands apart from clubs operated by volunteer parents and thus plagued by politics and drama. At DR32 Basketball, we pride ourselves on employing paid head coaches, with at least 10-15 years of coaching experience, ensuring a top-notch basketball experience for our players.
The club pays tribute to its namesake, Danny Rizzo, a beloved lifelong resident of Lemont and a member of the 2016 Lemont High School state championship team wearing #32 (DR32). Danny's mantra of "Go the extra mile" serves as the guiding principle for our club. It was in honor of Danny's memory the DR32 Basketball Club was created. Combined with off season training through our parent organization, All-American Basketball Academy, the aim was to create a program where players could remain with a single team from 3rd grade through high school, providing continuity and fostering long-term growth and development.
Over the years, we have expanded our teams beyond Lemont. We now have teams covering Lemont/Lockport/Homer Glen, Skokie/Evanston, and upcoming teams in Rockford and Milwaukee, WI. It is worth noting that all programs have full consistency in offense, defense, transition, training, and all other aspects of helping to develop our athletes. Our parent group, All-American Basketball Academy, started in 2006, has run programs successfully in 18 cities across 5 states and even reaching into Canada.
What Distinguishes the DR32 Basketball Club:
- One distinguishing factor is our reliance on great man-to-man defense over zone defense. We align ourselves with the philosophy advocated by leading youth coaching organizations, such as USA Basketball and JR NBA, which assert that zone defense hinders the development of solid defensive skills. By mandating man-to-man defense, we ensure that our players are equipped with the necessary skills to excel both individually and as a team.
- Our offensive system revolves around Motion Offense, which emphasizes reading the defense and developing a profound understanding of the game. Not only do we firmly believe that players who leave our program possess a deeper understanding of the game compared to others, we can show this through our player’s success over other programs at the local HS level. Most of the local clubs have a heavy reliance on set plays during games, as this can hinder players' ability to adapt and make informed decisions.
- To further enhance player development, we incorporate video analysis into our practices, enabling us to teach proper shooting techniques, footwork, and ambidextrous layups. We ensure that each player receives focused attention and tailored instruction.
- Another aspect that distinguishes us from other clubs is our avoidance of volunteer parents running the teams and the organization. This absence of volunteer involvement has resulted in a drama-free basketball experience for our players and families. Teams and playing time should not be based on cliques and the popularity of parents. By entrusting our coaching and organizational responsibilities solely to experienced professionals, we maintain a supportive and positive environment for everyone involved.
- Unlike some groups that use outside training groups like Breakthru Basketball, we at DR32 Basketball hire and utilize our own experienced coaches to run all of our practices. We value the importance of recognizing and addressing individual and team weaknesses, and we believe this can only be effectively accomplished by experienced coaches who possess a deep understanding of the game.
- In addition to player development, we place great importance on fostering a sense of community among our club members. Through collaborations with local charities, we instill in our players the value of giving back and being active contributors to society. Our commitment extends beyond the basketball court, as we strive to mold young athletes who exemplify discipline, integrity, and compassion, both on and off the court.