What is AAU Basketball?

The definition of AAU is “Amateur Athletic Union” basketball, and is an amateur and youth sports organization.

AAU hoops is made up of independent groups across the United States that form teams and participate in tournaments under the aegis of the AAU as the governing body.

The league is meant to give young athletes across the country the opportunity to participate in the game of basketball, improve their skills and showcase their talents in front of college and NBA scouts.

AAU History

The AAU was founded in 1888, in Chicago, by a man named William Buckingham Curtis, who wanted to standardize amateur and youth sports. For a time, the AAU was the official governing body of the United States’ participation in the Olympics and international competitions, until the Amateur Sports Act of 1978 removed it from that position after the AAU received criticism of its ability to properly oversee the multitude of sports underneath its umbrella.

How Many AAU Teams Are There?

Each state is broken down into various “districts” to which teams are assigned based on geography. AAU basketball currently has 56 districts across the country. Teams are defined by age group and gender. There are 12 age groups in all. The number of teams within each district varies.

Source: www.stack.com