The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball circuit has long been the breeding ground for future NBA stars. From intense tournaments to national championships, these youth basketball platforms create bonds that sometimes last well beyond the hardwood courts of adolescence.
Some of the greatest NBA players first showcased their talents alongside future pros during their AAU days. These early partnerships not only shaped their development but also created lasting friendships, relationships, and sometimes professional reunions that impacted their basketball journeys from their teenage years to professional stardom.
The Five Best AAU Duos That Made the NBA
Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter (Patterson, New Jersey AAU)
Before they became NBA legends known for their high-flying acrobatics and scoring prowess, Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter briefly joined forces on the Patterson, New Jersey AAU team in 1994.
This squad is often cited as one of the most talented AAU teams ever assembled, dominating competitions and reportedly securing two national championships with their exceptional combined talents.
Young Bryant played point guard on this star-studded roster, while Carter occupied the off-guard position alongside future NBA players Richard Hamilton and Tim Thomas.
Kobe went on to score 33,643 career points and win 5 NBA Championships, while Carter amassed 25,728 points across an unprecedented 22-season career spanning four decades. Their AAU partnership foreshadowed the greatness to come.
LeBron James and Kendrick Perkins (Oakland Soldiers AAU)
When LeBron James joined the Oakland Soldiers AAU team in the early 2000s, his extraordinary talent transformed the squad into a national powerhouse.
Alongside the physically imposing Kendrick Perkins, they created a devastating inside-outside combination that dominated the circuit, winning every major tournament they entered together. This showcased the early brilliance of two future NBA champions.
LeBron went on to amass over 50,000 career points, become a four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP, and establish himself as one of basketball’s greatest players.
Perkins provided championship-caliber defense during his 14 NBA seasons, winning a title with Boston in 2008. Their AAU dominance proved prophetic of their ability to impact winning at basketball’s highest level.
Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley (PG Jaguars AAU)
Perhaps the most enduring friendship from AAU basketball belongs to Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley, who played together for the PG Jaguars in Maryland during the early 2000s.
Their squad won multiple national and regional championships establishing itself as one of youth basketball’s most successful programs with Durant focusing on scoring while Beasley dominated the boards alongside future NBA players Greivis Vásquez and Ty Lawson.
Durant amassed 28,924 career points, became a two-time NBA champion, a 15-time All-Star, and a four-time scoring champion, while Beasley was drafted 2nd overall and named to the All-Rookie First Team in 2009.
Despite their different NBA trajectories, their friendship remained unshakeable, illustrating how AAU basketball builds connections that transcend professional achievements and withstand the test of time.
Jayson Tatum & Malik Monk (Arkansas Wings AAU)
Jayson Tatum and Malik Monk formed an explosive duo while playing for the Arkansas Wings 17U squad in 2015. As five-star prospects in the 2016 class, they showcased their immense potential by winning “The 8” at Bigfoot Hoops Las Vegas Classic. Monk dropped an impressive 36 points in the championship game against a team featuring Miles Bridges.
Tatum reached the pinnacle of NBA success, winning an NBA Championship in 2024 while earning six All-Star selections and three All-NBA First Team honors.
Monk developed into one of the league’s premier sixth men, finishing as runner-up for the Sixth Man Award in 2024 and signing a $78 million contract with Sacramento. Their competitive spirit, evident in AAU, continued into their NBA careers.
Trae Young & Michael Porter Jr. (MoKan Elite AAU)
Trae Young and Michael Porter Jr. formed a dynamic partnership for MoKan Elite in 2015 and 2016, culminating in their winning the prestigious Nike EYBL Peach Jam championship. As a formidable one-two punch in the AAU circuit, their chemistry was immediate.
Porter Jr. earned MVP honors in the championship game, while Young’s playmaking abilities elevated everyone around him.
Young has become a four-time All-Star for the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 25.3 points and 9.8 assists per game, while Porter Jr. won an NBA Championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023, averaging 16.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in his career.
Their bond was so strong that Porter Jr. called Young “like my brother,” and they even considered playing college basketball together.
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The legacy of AAU partnerships extends far beyond statistics and championships. These formative experiences create a fraternity of shared struggles, triumphs, and growth that connects players throughout their careers, regardless of where their basketball journeys ultimately lead them.
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