Who is Boo Williams AAU? An In-Depth Look at the Preeminent Youth Basketball Program

For aspiring young basketball players in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, there is one program that stands above the rest—Boo Williams AAU. Founded in 2002 by NBA veteran Boo Williams, it has grown into one of the largest and most successful youth basketball organizations in the country. This article takes an in-depth look at the origins, mission, facilities, coaching, alumni achievements and broader impact of the Boo Williams AAU program.

Origins: Hampton Roads Native Boo Williams Seeks to Give Back

Walter "Boo" Williams grew up playing streetball in the Peninsula area of Hampton Roads in the 1960s and 70s. After starring at Phoebus High School in Hampton, Williams played college basketball at St. Joseph‘s University from 1972-1976, where he still ranks 15th on the school‘s all-time scoring list.

The Chicago Bulls selected Williams in the second round of the 1977 NBA draft. He went on to have a 9-year NBA career playing for the Bulls, Hawks, Nets and Kings. In 428 career games, the 6‘7" forward averaged 8.2 points and 4.9 rebounds.

After retiring as a player in 1985, Williams moved into coaching. He saw firsthand the deteriorating state of youth basketball in his native Hampton Roads. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the region lacked organized leagues, quality coaching and exposure opportunities.

So in 2002, Williams founded his own grassroots program—Boo Williams Summer League—to fill this void. It started with just a few middle school AAU teams playing on outdoor courts.

"I just wanted to provide opportunities for kids in Hampton Roads to develop their skills and gain exposure," Williams said. "We had to start small and build it up the right way."

And build it up they did. In 2003, high school divisions were added. And in 2004, a Nike sponsorship helped expand the program and provided crucial financial support.

Mission: Developing Young Athletes On and Off the Court

For Boo Williams, competitive success was never the only goal. Player development and mentoring well-rounded student-athletes were equally important objectives.

"A lot of youth coaches just roll the balls out and have the kids play," Williams said. "We teach them about work ethic, respect, and doing things the right way."

The Boo Williams AAU program focuses on teaching skills, game fundamentals and basketball IQ. But honing these raw talents into complete players also requires academic monitoring, strength training, conditioning and nutrition counseling.

Off the court, the program stresses community engagement and fostering a family atmosphere. Younger and older players are paired together as mentors and mentees. Players frequently give back through community service initiatives.

This holistic development philosophy is paying dividends. On average over the past 5 years, 96% of Boo Williams AAU players have gone on to play basketball at the collegiate level.

By the Numbers: The Scale of Boo Williams AAU

• Founded: 2002
• Teams: Over 30 across all age groups
• Annual budget: Approximately $1 million
• Staff: 15 full-time and 10 part-time employees
• Tournaments per year: Over 50
• Current NBA players: Troy Williams (Rockets), Devon Hall (Thunder)

Boo Williams AAU now fields teams in age groups from 8U to 17U. The program serves over 200 youth athletes just from the Hampton Roads region each year.

The extensive tournament schedule includes high-profile events like Nike‘s Elite Youth Basketball League, Adidas Gauntlet, and NCAA-certified tournaments.

State-of-the-Art Facilities at Boo Williams Sportsplex

To support the rapid growth of the program, Boo Williams opened the Boo Williams Sportsplex in 2010. The $13.5 million, 65,000 square foot complex provides elite facilities for practices, games and tournaments.

Amenities of the Sportsplex include:

• Two full-sized hardwood basketball courts with bleacher seating
• Seven batting cages and pitching tunnels
• Volleyball and futsal courts
• Strength training and sports performance center
• Conference rooms and video review capabilities

The Sportsplex hosts the annual Boo Williams Nike Invitational, which attracts over 200 college coaches and scouts. This provides incredible exposure opportunities for Hampton Roads youth.

Coaching and Player Development

Boo Williams AAU coaches go through extensive vetting and training. All coaches must be knowledgeable teachers of the game who can connect with players on a personal level as mentors.

Skill development starts with strong fundamentals. Players receive focused training on shooting mechanics, ball handling, passing, defending and footwork. Position-specific instruction also allows players to expand their games.

But the coaches take a modern, analytic approach to the game as well. They teach offensive and defensive tactics suited to today‘s style of play. Concepts like spacing, tempo management, and outside shooting are emphasized.

"The game keeps evolving and our coaches have to stay ahead of the curve," Williams said. "We meld the old school fundamentals I grew up with and the new school analytics."

This high-level instruction is proven to develop players. Many enter the program as raw, unpolished talents and emerge as fundamentally sound prospects.

Notable Hampton Roads Alumni

• Troy Williams: After starring for Boo Williams AAU, Williams played at Indiana before being drafted in 2016 by the Houston Rockets.

• BJ Stith: Led Boo Williams AAU to an AAU national title in 2012. Went on to play for Old Dominion University.

• Jordan Baker: Credits Boo Williams coaches for improving his outside shooting range, leading to a college scholarship.

• Mikayla Williams-Reeves: Boo Williams provided exposure that led to a full scholarship to play for the University of Georgia.

Broader Significance and Impact

Boo Williams AAU has helped transform the grassroots basketball landscape of Hampton Roads and all of Virginia. It has provided organization, quality coaching and development, and exposure opportunities previously missing from the region.

And the competition forged in Boo Williams AAU breeds success. The program‘s alumni are elevating the quality of high school and college basketball across the state.

"You used to have to leave Virginia to get noticed by recruiters," said 19U coach Gary Hall. "Now they know this is where the talent is. Boo built that foundation."

For all levels of youth players, Boo Williams AAU sets the standard. It has become their first step on the path to skill improvement, personal growth and basketball achievement.