Eddie Lau Elite Kicks Off Spring AAU Season

Eddie Lau is an accurate depiction of a basketball lifer and a NYC basketball old soul.

Lau, who is the godson of legendary St. John's and New Jersey Nets forward Jayson Williams, has coached at the Division-I level at McNeese State and subsequently authored a career as an NBA agent.

Lau was once the business manager of his close childhood friend, flashy NYC point guard Rafer Alston, who is known for a 13-year NBA career.

While the game has taken Lau many places crisscrossing the globe, the Lower East Side native has been home in New York while shouldering the high order commitment to nurturing the development of the city's youth.

The head coach at Murry Bergtraum and an assistant at Christ The King, Lau is currently operating his own AAU team, Eddie Lau Elite 16U, on the Adidas circuit.

"I'm living a dream," said Lau, who is relishing the opportunity to coach not only his own son, Christ The King point guard Jayden Lau, but several of his own longtime friends' sons.

"I noticed with these AAU coaches, some can coach and some can't. With the opportunity to not only coach my son but coach my son's friends, it's a dream. That's important for us as adults now--to show these kids the right way."

Lau's program is comprised mainly of public and Catholic school kids. He was quick to cite how the current crop of prospects in his program all have a high academic pedigree.

Jayden Lau, a traditional dish-first facilitator, holds offers from 10 Division-I programs.

With a purity of vision as a creator, the 6-foot-3 Class of 2026 Lau has emerged into a dependable shot-maker.

He's enhanced facets of his game with a floater, ambidextrous around the rim finishing arsenal, and turnaround jumper.

Class of 2025 Bedford Academy guard Rob Phelps Jr., who had several games of 25+ points while playing at Bedford Academy, is left-handed, versatile scorer with newfound vertical explosiveness.

He's become a focal point with a wide-ranging scoring repertoire.

"Last game, (Phelps Jr.) scored at will," Eddie Lau said.

"His potential is crazy. The best move he made was going to play for his Dad, who was a legendary player (at Nazareth) and later at Providence College. Rob Jr. is about 6-5 right now. Hopefully, he gets to 6-8."

Like Jayden Lau, Phelps Jr. is a high academic prospect. He's hearing from Ivy League programs, including Harvard.

Beyond Lau and Phelps, the 16U squad features a high-level finisher in Eric Bush, who is currently playing at Earl Monroe HS.

“He's a strong 6-foot-3 two guard who can really finish everything around the rim,” said Lau of Bush. “He brings athleticism and toughness.”

The team possesses a unique blend of size and versatility in 6-foot-6 forward Miles Teixeira, who has been an interior banger while developing a smooth stroke from outside.

Teixeira, who is from Westchester County and currently plays at Stepinac, has developed the physicality required for the four-man position.

Eddie Lau, who realized his dream of playing Division-I basketball at Quinnipiac University (CT) when the program was in the Northeast Conference, has coached a crop of the city's top-shelf talent.

Having worked with the likes of Charlie Villanueva (UConn/NBA), Russ Smith (Louisville/overseas professional), Danny Green (North Carolina/Philadelphia 76ers), Doron Lamb (Kentucky/Orlando Magic), Derick Caracter (UTEP/Los Angeles Lakers), Earl Clark (Louisville/NBA), Lau is stoked about the future of NYC talent.

"The best thing about this group is they are all really good students," Lau said.

"A lot of them have already had academic success and are tremendous student-athletes."