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7TH ANNUAL EST SUMMER KICKOFF

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*** This event is currently AT CAPACITY. All registration submissions will go to the wait list, which will likely be tapped into as space opens up in the days leading up to the event. ***

AAU teammates & close friends had no problem getting after each other in recent Summer Kickoff events. Fordham bound Karissa Antoine attacks against Northeastern signee Taylor Holohan here in the 2022 edition.

The WNY Warm-Up featured a record high of 92 participants and baselines filled with over 30 college coaches… now it’s time to get it jumping in Albany.

The Summer Kickoff was the first EST one-day event that grew to a large scale two-session showcase, and that started right from its inaugural edition in 2017. It continues to grow to this day with an impressive list of well-known talent having made their mark at this event, and more of the same is expected in Year 7. The 7th Annual EST Summer Kickoff will take place at the Poole Athletic Center at Albany Academy on Friday, June 21. As always, this will be a TWO SESSION EVENT, with sessions running from approximately 5-7 & 7-9 PM. Session placement is athlete’s choice and will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each session can take no greater than 50 athletes.

The format includes various settings of play with minimal down time to provide athletes different opportunities to compete & show their abilities. 3v3 play allows participants to get into a rhythm, provide a different look, and maximize touches & “in-game reps”. There will also be a long stretch of traditional structured 5v5 run, with rosters geared to be competitive for all participants. In addition, all athletes will have the opportunity to get a dedicated skill session with the renowned Mark Williams and his Team Footprintz organization, one of the premier skill development specialists in the Northeast.

Since the inception of Empire State Takeover – beginning with the inaugural Summer League in 2015 – EST events have grown into one of the premier opportunities in the Northeast to gain visibility & exposure to collegiate programs and other valuable outlets on a player’s journey, including regional/national evaluators and media. The Summer Kickoff annually features talent for all ‘next levels’, from those receiving attention from the highest end of Division I to others working to get on a few Division III radars. Once the Class of 2024 matriculates, over 500 ‘ESTers’ since its inception less than a decade ago will have moved on to compete at the collegiate level. With that, the event is always well-attended by college coaches, with dozens often across the baselines or sidelines. In order to “showcase”, you need to be able to “show” someone. EST events provide that outlet in a major way, and this will be no different!

Event days are some of my favorite days of the year, and I’m looking forward to running the Summer Kickoff back in Albany in 2024. Registration & payment links are at the top of the page, and a registered player list (updated daily or as time allows) is directly below. Hope to see you at Academy on June 21!

The 2021 edition of Summer Kickoff was star-studded & featured two of the best PGs to ever lace them up in Section 3 in Jackie Piddock (left, Marist) and Kaia Henderson (right, Ohio State).

REGISTERED PLAYER LIST (updated as time allows)

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