Players will have opportunities unlike any other organization in the area, thanks to the extensive network that the 2017 National Player of the Year, Megan Walker, has built throughout her career at Monacan High School, The University of Connecticut, and her professional basketball journey. This unique connection is particularly beneficial for those involved with AAU basketball teams in Richmond, VA, as well as for aspiring athletes attending VA elite basketball tryouts or looking to join Walker Elite Basketball.
Grades 4 - 8 (elementary school and middle school teams)
The year’s activities for our AAU basketball teams in Richmond, VA generally run from September through June. Tryouts for these Richmond, VA AAU basketball teams occur in September and October. Teams periodically have some open spots, so please reach out to us if you have an interest in joining after this period.
The teams practice twice each week at the basketball gym on the St. Joseph’s Villa campus on Brook Road. Players are expected to attend practice, but we understand extenuating circumstances with prior notice. We also recognize that some players may be multi-sport athletes.
There are periodic weekend tournaments during the November – February period, with approximately one tournament per month. Tournaments are typically one-day events within a two-hour drive of Richmond.
From March to June, tournaments become more frequent, averaging about two tournaments per month. These are generally two-day tournaments within a two-hour drive of Richmond. Notably, the 8th-grade team will also participate in exposure tournaments, which are crucial for VA elite basketball tryouts.
Grades 9 – 11 (high school teams)
The year’s activities for high school teams run from February through July. Tryouts for our Walker Elite basketball teams occur in February and March, following the conclusion of the high school basketball season. Similar to our younger teams, we may have open spots available, so please contact us if you're interested in joining after this period.
These teams also practice twice each week at the basketball gym on the St. Joseph’s Villa campus on Brook Road. Attendance is encouraged, but we understand that players may have other commitments, especially those involved in multiple sports.
During the March – July timeframe, teams generally participate in two weekend tournaments per month. Most of these tournaments are two-day events and are within a three-hour drive of Richmond, except for higher-profile exposure tournaments that may require longer travel.
We participate in a wide variety of tournaments throughout the Central Virginia area, specifically catering to our AAU basketball teams in Richmond, VA. Our tournament schedule is crafted to ensure that we play meaningful games against similarly skilled opponents, allowing us to learn how to play basketball as a cohesive team. Each team also competes in some national tournaments, with our high school-aged teams following a national schedule aimed at providing them with valuable college exposure. For instance, last year’s 11th-grade team placed nine players on college basketball teams, showcasing the success of our Richmond VA AAU basketball program. Additionally, we hold VA elite basketball tryouts to identify talented players, including those interested in joining Walker Elite Basketball.
Megan Walker played for Monacan High School, where she helped lead her team to three Virginia Class 4A state championships. As a standout player in the rich landscape of AAU basketball teams in Richmond, VA, she was ranked the No. 1 recruit nationally in the class of 2017.
During her three seasons at UConn, Walker accumulated impressive stats with a total of 1,251 points and 559 rebounds, earning her designation as a 2020 All-American. After a stellar college career, she was drafted into the WNBA as a Junior in 2020 by the New York Liberty, showcasing the talent nurtured through programs like VA elite basketball tryouts and the Walker Elite Basketball training camps.
A lifelong resident of Hanover County, Coach Ford is married and a proud father of five kids, ages fourteen to twenty-nine. He has dedicated the last fourteen years to coaching youth basketball, including ten years with AAU basketball teams in Richmond, VA. For the past eight years, he has actively participated on the board of a youth basketball league, overseeing the girl’s division at a recreational level. Eight years ago, he took on the role of president of Havoc Girls Basketball, which he has successfully grown to include 188 girls across nineteen teams, ranging from 4th grade to 11th grade.
Coach Ford's commitments emphasize teamwork, motivation, and a blue-collar mentality, believing that teams win rather than individuals. His coaching philosophy prioritizes character over talent, work ethic over entitlement, and the importance of the team over individuals — a standard that every player must embrace. Under his leadership, his teams have achieved significant success, winning prestigious tournaments such as the 2018 AYBT East Coast National Championship and the Coaches Choice Inner Harbor Challenge, among others. Last year alone, nine players from his oldest team advanced to play college basketball, demonstrating the effectiveness of his approach, which aligns with the goals of VA elite basketball tryouts and the competitive spirit of Walker Elite Basketball.