NEW YORK CITY (September 9, 2025) - The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) has partnered again with the New York Police Department (NYPD) with a focus on making sports more accessible to all athletes. Through this partnership, the AAU is set to host approximately 100+  youth 3-on-3 basketball teams under the bright lights in Times Square as part of the third annual AAU Times Square Takeover on September 13th and 14th. 

This two-day event brings together fast paced action with appearances by former New York Knicks players, and AAU Youth Basketball Advisory Council (YBAC) members, Allan Houston and Jerome “Junkyard Dog” Williams. Houston and Williams will be on-site to support and mentor the next generation of athletes as part of the AAU YBAC which is comprised of key members in the basketball world that are dedicated to the development of the sport.

“For the third year, we are ready to provide an opportunity and a platform for these young athletes in the basketball mecca,” said Jo Mirza, AAU President. “We are incredibly excited to be back in the heart of New York City for the AAU Times Square Takeover. The NYPD and the Mayor’s office have continued to be key contributors in making this AAU Urban Initiative a massive success.”

This premier tournament is part of the AAU Cares – Urban Initiative Program, which strives to provide participation opportunities for historically underserved youth. Boys and girls from 2nd grade through 12th grade will be showcasing their talents on the streets of New York City. Eight half courts will be set up on Broadway and 45th – 48th Street Pedestrian Plaza right in the heart of the city. 

Through AAU Cares, the event is also providing a platform for companies like Buckets Over Bullying. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to stopping cyberbullying through education, advocacy, and legal help. Buckets Over Bullying’s board member and basketball social media star, Tristan Jass, will be in attendance at the event to spread the word and educate others on the importance of digital safety.

The AAU Reads Initiative will be on site again this year as well with a booth dedicated to providing books and supplies to the underserved youth. Jerome Williams also will be on hand to give away copies of his book R.O.L.E. Player.

As an important part of the AAU Cares – Urban Initiative, basketballs will be donated to the NYPD’s Chief of Department and city rec centers to provide essential equipment to help children grow their love for the sport. 

Click here for an exciting video from last year’s event. 

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Media Contacts:
Troy MacNeill, AAU Marketing Manager
O: 407-828-3055 | troy@aausports.org

ABOUT THE AAU:
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is the largest, non-profit, event-driven multi-sports organizations in the country. Founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in sports, the AAU philosophy of “Sports For All, Forever” is now shared by nearly 1,000,000 members and 150,000 volunteers across 45 sports programs and 55 U.S. districts annually. For more information, visit www.aausports.org.