The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is excited to take part in celebrating World Basketball Day tomorrow! First celebrated in 2023, this is an opportunity for everyone to pick up a ball, get on the court, and enjoy the global game that brings so many of us together.

To ensure that future athletes and coaches will be able to enjoy basketball as previous generations have, the AAU Youth Basketball Advisory Council (YBAC) was launched in April 2024. Led by AAU Alum, ten-time NBA All-Star, and nineteen-year NBA veteran Carmelo Anthony, and consisting of visionary sport leaders, former professional players, and respected event organizers, the AAU YBAC’s expertise is experienced and wide ranging.

“The AAU YBAC is committed to providing young athletes with the resources and opportunities they need to develop into well-rounded players. Our goal is to help them understand that there are many paths to achieving the success and growth they aspire to,” said Carmelo Anthony, AAU Youth Basketball Advisory Council Chair.

Since its formation, the AAU YBAC has met over a dozen times mapping out sustainable growth efforts for youth basketball. Plans have been put in place to further promote fair, safe, and standardized play, foster the development of players and coaches, and make basketball accessible for all. The first of these initiatives will be unveiled in early 2025.

“What we want to do is grow our youth morally, spiritually, physically, mentally,” said Jo Mirza, AAU President. “We’re talking about developing the complete athlete.”

Since the first AAU Basketball Championship in 1897, the AAU has been committed to the growth and development of basketball across the country. Even 127 years later, the AAU continues to be the game’s greatest advocate at the grassroots level.

The focus of safety, integrity, and innovation is guiding “The New AAU” into 2025 and beyond, with the goal of leading the world of youth basketball into a safe and strong future.

The YBAC Council members can be found below:

Carmelo Anthony
Louis Amundson
Rushia Brown
Joe Charles
Derrick Coleman
Tracy Ellis Ward
Eron Gordon
Allan Houston
Asjha Jones
Morgan Jones
Quentin Richardson
Etan Thomas
Charlie Ward
Damien Wilkens
Jerome Williams
DeMya Walker
Lisa Willis
Linda Frohlich
Allison Bustamante
Tracy Murray
Ronnie Burrell