AAU Men's Basketball All-Americans

AAU Men's Basketball All-Americans

Awarded for	the best players of each original Amateur Athletic Union's men's basketball seasons
Country	United States
History
First award	1921
Final award	1968

The Amateur Athletic Union Men's Basketball All-Americans were players who competed in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) between 1920–21 and 1967–68 and were chosen as the best players in the league during their respective seasons.^[1] Founded in 1888, the Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States. It is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.

The era between 1921 and 1968 is referred to as the "Golden Era" of AAU basketball^[2] while companies began vying for players to compete on their teams.^[2] There was a great allure to playing AAU basketball besides job security; by remaining in the AAU as opposed to the National Basketball League or American Basketball Association, players were able to retain their "amateur" status.^[1] Only amateurs were allowed to compete in the Olympic Games, and many AAU basketball alumni went on to compete for the United States during their careers.

During this time period, thirty-three AAU All-Americans played on the United States men's national basketball team in seven different Olympic Games: Joe Fortenberry, Carl Knowles, Frank Lubin, Art Mollner, Bill Wheatley (1936);^[3] Don Barksdale, Bud Browning, Shorty Carpenter, Bob Kurland, R. C. Pitts, Cab Renick (1948);^[4] Ron Bontemps, Bob Kurland, Frank McCabe, Dan Pippin, Howie Williams (1952);^[5] Dick Boushka, Chuck Darling, Burdie Haldorson, Bob Jeangerard, K. C. Jones, Ron Tomsic, Gerry Tucker, Jim Walsh (1956);^[6] Bob Boozer, Burdie Haldorson, Adrian Smith (1960);^[7] Larry Brown, Les Lane, Jerry Shipp (1964);^[8] and Mike Barrett, John Clawson, Calvin Fowler, Jim King and Mike Silliman (1968).^[9]

Eleven AAU All-Americans have also been enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as players. These players include Roger Brown,^[10] Ace Gruenig,^[11] Richie Guerin,^[12] Chuck Hyatt,^[13] K. C. Jones,^[14] Bob Kurland,^[15] Hank Luisetti,^[16] Jack McCracken,^[17] Andy Phillip,^[18] Jim Pollard,^[19] and George Yardley.^[20] Two other AAU All-Americans have been enshrined in other roles: Don Barksdale as a contributor^[21] and Larry Brown as a coach.^[22]

All-Americans by season

Most selections

This is a list for all of the All-Americans who received the honor at least three times.

10 selections

• Ace Gruenig

7–9 selections

• None

6 selections

• Shorty Carpenter, Bob Kurland, Jack McCracken

5 selections

• Forrest DeBernardi, Chuck Hyatt

4 selections

• Don Barksdale, Berry Dunham, Burdie Haldorson, Frank McCabe, Jimmy McNatt, Bill Reigel, George Starbuck

3 selections

• Glen Anderson, Vern Benson, George "Pidge" Browning, Howie Crittenden, Chuck Darling, Joe Fortenberry, Roy Lipscomb, Pete McCaffrey, Les O'Gara, George Reeves, Gary Thompson, Ron Tomsic, Jerry Shipp, George Williams, Howie Williams

See also

• NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans – similar honor presented to men's basketball players in NCAA Division I competition

References

• v
• t
• e

Basketball

General topics

• Glossary of terms
• Index of articles

Leagues	FIBA NBA AAU
History	James Naismith Protocol of Stockholm
Variations	Slamball Streetball One-on-one Twenty-one Three-on-three Six-on-six Wheelchair

Rules

Jump ball Officials Turnover Trent Tucker Rule
Violations	3 seconds Offense Defense 5 seconds Time line (8/10 seconds) Basket interference Carrying Double dribble Goaltending Shot clock Traveling
Fouls	Flagrant Personal Technical Bonus Three-point play Four-point play

Game play

Positions	Sixth man Guard Point Shooting Combo Forward Small Power Stretch Point Center
Statistics	Player tracking Winning streaks Offense Point Field goal Three-pointer Rebound Assist 50–40–90 club 100-point scorers Defense Block Steal
Moves	Dribble Crossover Euro step Flop Screen Back screen Slashing Shooting Free throw Jump shot Fadeaway Layup Finger roll Slam dunk Posterized Alley-oop Backboard shattering Hook shot Air ball Buzzer beater Uncontested

Strategy

General	Playbook
Practice	Shootaround Drills Mikan Tip
Offense	Ball hog Gravity Continuity Flex Shuffle UCLA High Post Wheel Four corners Pick and roll Triangle Motion Princeton Dribble drive Fast break Fly Cherry picking Run and gun Grinnell System Nellie Ball Small ball
Defense	Double team Full-court press Hack-a-Shaq Jordan Rules Man-to-man Zone 1–2–1–1 1–3–1 2–3 Line Match-up Hybrid Amoeba Box-and-one Triangle-and-two

Equipment

• Backboard
• Ball
• Basket
• Rim (Breakaway rim)
• Court
  • Glass
  • Half court
  • Key
• Net
• Whistle

Clothing

• Uniform
• Sleeve
  • Finger sleeve
• Air Jordan
• Chuck Taylor All-Stars

Media

• List of films
• Trading cards

• Basketball portal
• Outline of basketball