“Right now, I think we’re putting too much pressure on these kids too early, and they’re not learning proper technique of how to shoot the ball, or proper technique of spacing,”. “It winds up eating away at their confidence. As teachers, we need to have patience to teach things piece by piece by piece. Over time, they’ll develop as basketball players, but you can’t just rush it all at once.”
Kobe Bryant
The MSU Skyliners were created in 1995 by Arthur Pierson as a non for profit 501c3 program. Coach Pierson decided to bring the Skyliners to life as an outlet for Plainfield, New Jersey, and surrounding area youth as a vehicle to gain student-athletes attention to urban issues as well as to continue to learn the game of basketball. Over the years, The Skyliners have grown to include at most points over 8 teams a year. The (M)iddlesex (S)omerset (U)nion Skyliners have expanded to include kids from all over New Jersey and even Pennsylvania at times. We are and will continue to be a developmental program. If you are looking to win a national title, then we are probably not the program for you. Skill development, in-game experience, and life lessons are at the top of our list. We stress education and family values more than basketball wins and losses. Our kids are mentored to want what's best out of life and to work hard to achieve it. Our program has an educational tutor that secures a classroom twice a week for those that need assistance, and all of the coaches phone numbers are available to them if they need to talk. Last but not least, our Motto since 1995 and continues to this day is...
"We are not trying to make money out of you"
"We are trying to make a Player and model citizen out of you!"
INFORMATION BELOW IS FROM THE 2023 SPRING SEASON UNLESS IT SAY 2024
Where does the money go?
MSU Registration fee's go directly to tournament cost, uniforms, equipment, gym time, insurance and games.
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When Does the Schedule come out?
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Tournament schedules come out the Wednesday or Thursday before it begins and its subject to change
MSU 10U
GOAT XPERIENCE GIRLS
2024 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
Easter Hoopfest BBALL SHOOTOUT Sat March 30th
Spring Jam Fest BBALL SHOOTOUT Saturday April 13th
FCP Hoops Saturday April 20th
Zero Gravity Stte Championship May 4th-May 5th (Manalapan)
BBALL SHOOTOUT Hoops Saturday May 18th
FCP Hoops Saturday June 1st
BBall SHOOTOUT Saturday June 15th
MSU 10U
BOYS
COACH JOHNSON
2024 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
Easter Hoopfest BBALL SHOOTOUT Sat March 30th
Spring Jam Fest BBALL SHOOTOUT Saturday April 13th
Hoop Group Saturday April 20th-21st
Zero Gravity Stte Championship May 4th-May 5th (Manalapan)
BBALL SHOOTOUT Hoops Saturday May 18th
FCP Hoops Saturday June 1st-2nd
BBall SHOOTOUT Saturday June 15th
MSU 11u
COACH PERNELL
2024 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
FCP April 6-7th
Clark NJ April 20-21st
Zero Gravity (Manalapan) MAY 4-5th
FCP May 11th
#Bball Shootout NJ May 18-19th
FCP Hoops Sat June 1-2nd
Made Hoops WildWood NJ June 15-16th
MSU 12U
HUNT
2024 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
Easter Hoopfest BBALL SHOOTOUT Sat March 30th
Jersey City Event April 6th
FCP Hoops Saturday April 20th
Zero Gravity Stte Championship May 4th-May 5th (Manalapan)
BBALL SHOOTOUT Hoops Saturday May 18th
FCP Hoops Saturday June 1st
BBall SHOOTOUT Saturday June 15th
Bball SHOOTOUT Sat June 29th
MIDDLE SCHOOL RED
2024 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
FCP Hoops (Clark NJ) April 13-14th
Hoop Group (Neptune NJ) April 20-21st
Zero Gravity State Championship May 4-5th
#Everything Plainfield May 18-19th
GYM RAT CHALLENGE (Albany NY) May 25-26th
Wildwood Showdown (Made Hoops) Wildwood NJ 6/15-6/16
AGAME (Manheim PA) June 28-30th
MIDDLE SCHOOL BLACK
2024 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
BBALL SHOOTOUT (Central NJ) March 30th
FCP Hoops (Clark) April 13-14th
Hoop Group (Neptune NJ) April 20-21st
Zero Gravity State Championship May 4-5th
BBALL SHOOTOUT May 11th
#Everything Plainfield May 18-19th
FCP June 8-9th
AGAME (Manheim PA) June 28-30th
16U Mike Pernell
2024 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
FCP Hoops March 30th
Hoop Group April 13-14th
Clark NJ April 20-21st
I NEED THAT THRONE April 26th or April 27th
Zero Gravity Manalapan NJ May 4-5th
#EverythingPlainfield May 18-19th
GYM RAT CHALLENGE (Albany NY) May 25-26th
Made Hoops WIldwood NJ June 15-16th
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
2024
Bball Shootout March 30th
FCP April 6-7th
Bball Shootout April 20-21st
Coaches Choice (Holmedel NJ) May 11th
Kayla Spooner (Plfd) May 18th
Hoop Group Pennsylvania Jam Fest
May 31-June 2nd)
AGAME (Manheim PA) June 28-30th 2024
Hoop Group LIVE EVENT Manalapan NJ July 12-15
HOOP GROUP JULY 19-22nd Atlantic City NJ
H
MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
2024
Bball Shootout March 30th
FCP Hoops April 6-7th
Bball Shootout April 20-21st
Coaches Choice (Holmedel NJ) May 11th
Kayla Spooner Plfd May 18th
FCP Hoops June 8-9th
AGAME (Manheim PA) June 28-30th 2024
16 and 17U MSU Tigers
2024 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
April 6-7th FCP Hoops
Hoop Gruop (Neptune) April 13-14th
HOOP GROUP (Neptune NJ) April 20-21st
I NEED THAT THRONE April 26th or April 27th
Zero Gravity Manalapan NJ May 4-5th
#EverythingPlainfield May 18-19th
Bball Shootout June 7-8th
(Break for HS Activities)
A Game Shootout June 28-30th
MSU Tigers 7th grade
2024 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
BBALL SHOOTOUT (Central NJ) March 30th
FCP Hoops April 13-14th
Hoop Group (Neptune NJ) April 20-21st
Zero Gravity State Championship May 4-5th
BBall Shootout May 18th
Gym Rat Challenge Albany NY May 25-26th
FCP June 8-9th
AGAME (Manheim PA) June 28-30th
15/16 COACH VAUGHN
2024 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
April 6-7th BballShootout
BBall Shootout NJ April 13-14th
HOOP GROUP (Neptune NJ) April 20-21st
BBall Shootout April 27th
Zero Gravity Manalapan NJ May 4-5th
#EverythingPlainfield May 18-19th
Bball Shootour May 25-26th
Bball Shootout June 7-8th
17U DIFFERENT BREED
2024 ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
FCP Hoops March 30th
Hoop Group April 13-14th
Clark NJ April 20-21st
I NEED THAT THRONE April 26th or April 27th
Zero Gravity Manalapan NJ May 4-5th
GYM RAT CHALLENGE (Albany NY) May 25-26th
(JUNE BREAK FOR HS TEAM FUNCTIONS)
Hoop Group Summer Warm Up (East Stroudsburg PA) July 6-7
HOOP GROUP (Atlantic City) July 10-12th
ALL HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS MUST REGISTER HERE TO BE INCLUDED ON THE ROSTERS FOR LIVE EVENTS!!!!
The following players played at least 2 tournaments with the MSU Skyliners during their AAU days
JR SMITH NBA
KYLE ANDERSON NBA
ERIC WILKINS U MIAMI
JAY WILLIAMS NBA
JERRELL THOMPSON SACRED HEART
JAMARQUES LAWRENCE NEBRASKA
ANTHONY NELSON NIAGARA
STERLING GIBBS SETON HALL
PRESTON BEVERLEY VMI
MYLES DAVIS XAVIER
JAVON JACKSON CAMPBELLSVILE UNIVERSITY
JAHMAL LANE CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY
DIIJON ALLEN JORDAN CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY
SEKOU HARRIS FDU/CAMPBESVILLE UNIVERSITY
QUINTIN DECOSEY TEMPLE
MICHAEL GORDON BINGHAMPTON
ANDREW FEELEY UMBC
CHASE PLUMBER UMBC
ANDRE DABNEY BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE
GRIFFIN ROONEY LEHIGH (FOOTBALL)
BYRON SHIPMAN HOLY CROSS (FOOTBALL)
RYAN SZATKOWSKI ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE
JELANI MASON MERRIMACK(FOOTBALL)
ANTHONY GOFFE UTICA (FOOTBALL)
JORDAN DERKACK MERRIMACK
TYJE KELTON WAGNER
Elite Team
MSU Skyliners teams that will compete at the highest possible level, recruit talented players and the goal every year is to Play in only the best events near and far. They will practice two days per week and play in between 8-10 tournaments plus a national tournament (if the team/coach chooses to travel) All Elite rosters will be finalized before the Red rosters will be made. The cost of this program is the same as the Red team plus an additional $50.00 per player.
Red Team
The Red Team is the most competitive team at each age level. (unless an elite team exists) Red teams will be playing in each tournament to win. It is necessary for players who play on the Gold Team to be highly committed. Teams will practice twice a week and practice participation will be expected (policy will vary depending on coach). Red teams are for developed players that are very serious and committed. All Red team coaches will have a previous coaching background. If a Red Team qualifies for Nationals the team will have a meeting with parents to determine appropriate travel plans for Nationals. The goal of the Red team is to achieve Elite status.
Black Team
The Black Team is a competitive AAU team. Black Teams will find a balance between being extremely competitive in tournaments and developing players through practice and game play. Black Teams will typically travel somewhat locally to off site tournaments (travel will vary depending on coach). Teams will practice twice a week and practice participation will be expected. If a Black Team qualifies for Nationals the team will have a meeting with parents to determine appropriate travel plans for Nationals.