[1] Founded in 1888, the AAU is one of the largest non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States.

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.