MORE THAN 5,500 ELITE ATHLETES SET TO TIP OFF IN ORLANDO AT THE AAU 16U-18U BOYS’ BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 17, 2017) – More than 5,500 elite athletes from across the nation will go head-to-head at the AAU Boys' Basketball National Championships (July 19-23) and Super Showcase (July 26-30) events, whichreturn to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort this week.

"The AAU Boys' Basketball National Championships and Super Showcases are the premier event for AAU basketball athletes," said Boo Williams, AAU Boys Basketball National Chair. "This is a unique opportunity for our athletes to face off against some of the top competition in their age group while playing in front of hundreds of college coaches in one of the most elite sports venues in the world."

The AAU National Championships (16U, 17U and 18U) and AAU Super Showcases (8th Grade, 15U/9th Grade, 16U/10th Grade, 17U/11th Grade) are expected to attract an estimated 360 total teams – 120 to Nationals and 240 to Super Showcases – from an estimated 30 states, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Canada. Many of the top teams and athletes will be showcased in front of hundreds of college coaches.

Top teams participating in AAU National Championships and Super Showcases include: Alabama Fusion, All Ohio Red, Atlanta Xpress, BABC, Boo Williams Summer League, Canada Elite, DC Blue Devils UAA, Georgia Stars EYBL, Houston Defenders, NY Lightning, Team Charlotte UAA, Team Felton, Team M.O.A.M. Adidas and Albany City Rocks.

A full list of competing teams and schedules are available at www.aauboysbasketball.org.

The AAU National Championships are the proving ground for the next generation of college and professional superstars. A number of current NBA stars, including Dwyane Wade (Chicago Bulls), Chandler Parsons (Memphis Grizzlies), reigning two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) and 2016 NBA Champion Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), competed in these events as youth athletes.

Select championship games will air live on WatchESPN and the WatchESPN application from ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which has become the worldwide leader in ESPN3 content production.

For more information about the AAU Boys' Basketball National Championships and Super Showcases, visitwww.aauboysbasketball.org.

Media interested in covering this event should contact Cody Norman, AAU Public Relations Manager atcnorman@aausports.org.