Important Updates to the 405 United Program
405 United Families,
Over the past year, 405 United has experienced tremendous growth. In the summer of 2025, our program included just over 40 players. Today, more than 100 athletes are part of 405 United—an increase of nearly 130%.
We are incredibly grateful for that growth. It reflects the trust families have placed in our coaches and our approach to player development. At the same time, growth creates a responsibility to evaluate which parts of our structure continue to work well and which need to evolve.
As we grow, our structure must continue to support our mission: helping every player become the best version of himself through purposeful coaching, long-term development, and a culture of accountability, confidence, and excellence.
Over the past six to eight weeks, our coaches have evaluated how we can better align each player’s current stage of development, goals, availability, and desired commitment with the right environment. Based on that evaluation, we are making one immediate adjustment and introducing a new structure for the fall.
To be clear, these adjustments are based on our evaluation of the program throughout the spring and summer and are not related to any players who will be unavailable for this coming weekend’s tournament.
Immediate Roster Adjustments
When 405 United began, most age groups had one team, making roster construction relatively simple. As the program grew, we began creating multiple teams at several age levels. Initially, many of those rosters were organized primarily around providing development opportunities.
Our program has now reached a different stage. We have two or three teams at many age levels, our players’ overall skill level has improved, and our teams are facing stronger competition. After evaluating the spring and summer seasons, we believe our current roster structure is not consistently placing every player in the environment that best supports his development.
Our mission calls us to be intentional about each player’s long-term development. Players benefit when they practice and compete alongside others at a similar stage of development. This creates opportunities for appropriate challenge, increased confidence, meaningful team roles, and a better overall competitive experience.
Skill level and commitment are both important, but they are separate parts of roster construction. A player’s current stage of development helps determine the competitive environment that will best support his growth, while his availability and commitment help determine the team structure that can depend on him consistently. Both factors must be considered when building healthy, sustainable teams.
For age groups with two or more teams, our coaches are re-evaluating the current rosters. Decisions will consider:
Current stage of development
Attitude, effort, and coachability
Attendance and availability
Team needs and positional balance
The long-term benefit of developing together
We understand that vacations, illness, family commitments, other sports, and supplemental basketball opportunities are all part of youth athletics. Our goal is not to penalize families for understandable conflicts. We simply ask that families communicate their expected availability—preferably at the beginning of each season—so we can place players appropriately and plan effectively.
Several families have already done a great job communicating with us in these situations, and we appreciate their transparency. We want to make that approach consistent across every age group.
Updated rosters will be finalized and communicated by the end of the day Wednesday. Rosters will generally remain stable during a season, with evaluations and potential movement taking place between seasons unless unusual circumstances require an adjustment.
Beginning with these updated rosters:
One team: Orange
Two teams: White and Orange
Three teams: White, Purple, and Orange
White will represent the top competitive team, followed by Purple and then Orange. Age will remain the primary organizing factor, although players may play up when it benefits their development or fills a roster need.
Two Development Pathways Beginning This Fall
Beginning in September, 405 United will offer two connected pathways:
405 United Teams
This pathway will be for players who are ready to benefit from league and tournament competition and whose families can commit to the team’s practice and game schedule.
When an age group has multiple teams, rosters will be organized by current stage of development, with the top team built to compete at the highest appropriate level. The purpose is not simply better results. It is to place players in environments where they are appropriately challenged, develop confidence, and fill meaningful roles.
405 United Academy
The 405 United Academy will provide a training-focused pathway for players who need or prefer concentrated development without the full league and tournament commitment.
For fourth- through sixth-grade players, this may include athletes prioritizing skill development, participating in another fall sport, or wanting to improve without weekend commitments. These players will not participate in fall leagues or tournaments.
For seventh- through twelfth-grade players, the 405 United Academy will support athletes seeking concentrated development, preparing for school tryouts, or participating in another school sport.
Every player will have a place within one of these pathways. Families will indicate their preferred commitment level, coaches will evaluate each player’s current readiness, and final placement will be determined through evaluation and conversation with the family.
Placement is not a permanent label or judgment of a player’s potential. Progress will be evaluated each season, and players may move between pathways as their development, readiness, and commitment evolve.
Specific schedules, practice structures, pricing, playing-time expectations, and registration details will be shared by early August.
Every adjustment we make is centered on creating the best possible environment for each player’s development. Thank you for trusting us with your sons and for continuing to grow alongside 405 United.
Matt
Coach Matt McLeod
Program Director
405 United Basketball