LOUISVILLE HOSTS NATION’S TOP PREP BASKETBALL PLAYERS

Lake Buena Vista, FL June 29, 2015 – The nation’s top prep basketball players will converge on Louisville, Kentucky from July 22-27 for the 2015 AAU Boys Basketball 10thGrade and 11th Grade National Championships and Super Showcases.

Many of the top teams and players will be showcased including 2016 ESPN 100 ranked Edrice Adebayo (#6, Boo Williams Summer League), V.J. King (#16, King James Shooting Stars), Trent Forrest (#49, Alabama Challenge), Nick Ward (#52, All Ohio Red), Derek Funderburk (#53, King James Shooting Stars), and Xavier Simpson (#58, King James Shooting Stars).

“AAU Basketball strives to provide the very best event experience for athletes, coaches and spectators,” said Boo Williams, AAU Boys Basketball National Chair and winner of the 2013 Basketball Hall of Fame Human Spirit Award. “We feel the 10th Grade and 11th Grade National Championships and Super Showcases are the premier basketball event in the country where the nation’s best players compete year after year.”

The Kentucky Expo Center will host six (6) days of AAU basketball, all under one roof.  Approximately 500 teams, over 5,000 players accompanied by close to 1,000 coaches will compete on twenty-eight (28) courts over the six (6) days of the event. 

Eight hundred (800) college coaches are expected to attend and watch the next collegiate stars in action. Concession stands, merchandise and vendor booths add to the atmosphere making it a must-see event for any die-hard basketball fan.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to again host the AAU Boys Basketball National Championships in Louisville,” said Karl Schmitt, Louisville Sports Commission president and CEO. “This is basketball country, and local sports fans always look forward to the chance to watch these future sports stars. In Louisville, if you provide people with a good quality basketball event, we will support it," Schmitt said.

The economic impact to the area is expected to be over $3 million with participants and their families visiting local hotels, shops, restaurants and other Louisville area businesses.

“The Commonwealth of Kentucky has always been a huge supporter of the sport of basketball,” said Dr. Roger Goudy, AAU President/CEO. “With its world-class facility and top notch professional staff, the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, Kentucky is the perfect fit to host an AAU Boys Basketball National Championship.”

The AAU National Championships are the proving ground for the next generation of college and professional superstars.  NBA players who’ve won an AAU National Championship include Chris Paul, Mike Conley and OJ Mayo.  Other notable AAU alumni include Dwayne Wade and Andre Iguodala who played on the same team competing at an AAU National Championship, as well as Kyrie Irving, DeMarcus Cousins and Andrew Wiggins.

The event is open to the public with a day pass cost of $19.85 and tournament pass of $50.00. Discounts available for seniors and children.  Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com.

About AAU

Founded in 1888, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, event organizations in the United States. The “Sports for All, Forever” philosophy is shared by over 670,000 participants of which 250,000 play basketball. The AAU annually licenses more than 34 sports programs, 250 national championships, and over 30,000 age division events. AAU alumni include LeBron James, Amar’e Stoudemire, Diana Taurasi, and Candace Parker.  A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the development of amateur sports www.aausports.org.                     

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