TIMES SQUARE (September 16, 2024) -- This past weekend, the AAU took over Times Square, New York for the 2024 AAU City Challenge. With the AAU, there are Limitless Possibilities!

For the second year in a row, AAU was the center of attention under the bright lights of the big apple. This year's event was bigger and better, showcasing 3-on-3 basketball, gymnastics, trampoline & tumbling, karate, and taekwondo.



The event is part of the AAU Cares - Urban Initiative Program, which strives to provide participation opportunities for historically underserved youth. The AAU has partnered with the NYPD to help make sports more accessible and teach important life skills and character development for children and teenagers.

AAU 3-on-3 Basketball


Eighty-two (82) youth 3-on-3 basketball teams took to the courts in the basketball mecca of the world. This year saw a bigger turnout, with more teams and more games played on each day.

Boys and girls from 2nd grade through 12th grade had the opportunity to showcase their talents on five half courts from 46th to 48th streets.



AAU Youth Basketball Advisory Council 

 

AAU Youth Basketball Advisory Council (YBAC) members, and former New York Knicks players, Allan Houston and Jerome Williams, stopped by to check out the show and share their wisdom with some of the athletes.

The AAU YBAC is comprised of key AAU Alumni and members of the basketball world that are dedicated to the development and growth of basketball at the youth level.

AAU Cares - Urban Initiative

As part of the AAU Cares program, the AAU Reads Initiative was on site to help provide books to the underserved youth.

The AAU Cares - Urban Initiative program also donated basketballs and gymnastics equipment to the NYPD's Chief of Department and city rec centers to provide essential pieces to help children grow and find a new love for various sports.

AAU Gymnastics and Trampoline & Tumbling

AAU Gymnastics and AAU Trampoline & Tumbling were also added as demonstration sports to the festivities this year and introduced some to the sports for the first time.

AAU Karate

AAU Karate showcased their discipline and skill on the city streets on NYC. Grand Champions International Karate out of New York demonstrated some weapon forms before meeting with AAU President and Karate National Chair, Jo Mirza.

AAU Taekwondo

AAU Taekwondo showcased their highflying skills below the skyscrapers. World Champions Center out of Tampa and Team Champions out of New York demonstrated what it takes to earn a black belt before meeting with AAU Vice President and Taekwondo National Chair, Bobby Stone.

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible! The volunteers, the athletes, the NYPD, and everyone in between. With your help, we can provide Limitless Opportunities for all of our athletes!

Check out some of the content from this past weekend on Instagram and Facebook! Search for AAU Sports, AAU Basketball, AAU Gymnastics, AAU Karate, and AAU Taekwondo.