FOURTH QUARTER 2024

EYBL ANNOUNCEMENT|

IT’S OFFICIAL!

AB Elite is now officially an EYBL organization! We have been waiting— with bated breath, on pins and needles, with fingers, legs and toes crossed, for Nike’s stamp of approval and official welcome into the EYBL fold.

Our 2027’s completed a 43-4 overall season, including an 11-1 EYCL run. The “1” was the devastating loss of our first game in the Kansas City EYCL tournament that ultimately knocked us out of contention for earning the one coveted EYCL team spot at Peach Jam in July. From that missed opportunity, we weren’t sure when, or even if, our organization would get the call up and out of the EYCL incubator into the EYBL “big leagues.”

Fortunately, the call ultimately came letting us know that the final decision was made by the Nike “powers that be.”

With that said, it’s official…We’re IN!

Not only are our 2027’s in, but Nike has welcomed in our entire competitive program, including our 2028’s who ended with an 86-22 record, our 2029’s who ended with a 50-9 record, and our 2030’s who ended their season at 44-17.

We are humbled by this amazing opportunity afforded our program by Nike and are excited to compete at the highest level of “Elite” youth basketball on the EYBL circuit.

Thank you to Nike — and THANK YOU to every one of our dedicated players who took a leap of faith and an optimistic chance on playing for our organization even without the “EYBL” designation. These players showed up and took care of business on the court regardless of the absence of the EYBL affiliation.

It is because of each of them that this organization had the goods to offer up to Nike to show as our organization’s proof that AB Elite is a force to be reckoned with and more than capable of competing at the highest level in youth basketball.

Instagram: @nike @nikebasketball @teamabelite @abelite2027 @abelite2028

X: @teamabelite

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND OUTREACH|

AB ELITE Girls’ Teams Come Together For Goodwill Project

The AB Elite 2031, 2032/2033 teams completed a community service project back in August with the Goodwill Industries of Northeast Texas. The players recycled t-shirts into reuseable t-shirt bags!

In December, Goodwill will be hosting a holiday shop to provide highly discounted items for their employees to shop for toys and gifts for their families. The reuseable bags that AB Elite made will benefit the Goodwill employees, many of whom experience barriers in their own lives, providing reuseable bags for them while they shop.

The goal of our community service and outreach is making the world a brighter place through acts of kindness.  This group project is just one example of the creative ways that AB Elite aims to “give back” to the community through service.

#beABoutit

Instagram: @goodwilldallas @goodwillintl

X: @GoodwillIntl @GoodwillDallas

AB Participates in the Northwest Arkansas Shelter’s Fundraising Kickball Event

Anthony Black (AB), the organization’s namesake, is leading AB Elite’s “give-back” charge by example. With fall and his 2024-25 season quickly approaching, AB made time to attend and participate in the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter’s 14th Annual Kickball for the Kids tournament.

During his visit, he made it a priority to spend time with the kids and teens at the shelter.  He talked with them about his own successes and challenges in school, his path to college and what its like to play in the NBA.  Anthony concluded the day with some hoops with the kids in their gym, leaving them with a day they will always remember.

Anthony was also excited to give each kid their very own pair of Nike shoes with their favorite colors!

Instagram: @nike @nwachildrensshelter @nikebasketball

X: @NWAChildShelter @Nike

SABRINA!!!|

Sabrina! Sabrina! SABRINA!

Sabrina Ionescu, the #1 draft pick in the WNBA’s 2020 draft and newly-minted WNBA Champion, surprised our 2031 and 2032/33 players with a visit.

The players were very excited to get to be in the same space with her. They drew on her presence and her experience having successfully ascended through the ranks to become a professional female athlete playing for the New York Liberty for inspiration in each of their own individual ways.

What an unbelievable day and opportunity to meet and spend some time in the gym with SABRINA!

We fully expect some of these young ladies to be paying if back to their younger fans someday too!  It was a fun experience with a great group of girls both on and off the court!

@sabrina_i

#1 AND #3 FINISHES AT NATIONALS|

AB Elite 2031’s and 2032/33 Teams Clean Up at Nationals

The 2031’s competed at the 2024 AAU Nationals and came away with the Championship, making them the #1 2031 team in the country.

Following right behind them, the 2032/33 team finished the AAU National tournament and earned the spot of the #3 team in the country.

Both teams did an amazing job this past season, ending with a 54-2 and 52-12 record respectively and setting a high bar, right out of the gate! Congrats!!

@teamabelite

AB and THE MAGIC vs. MAVS|Sunday, November 3rd 6:30 pm

AB Back in Dallas

On Sunday, November 3rd AB and the Orlando Magic will play the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas at the American Airlines Center. Game time is 6:30 CST.

When AB came into town last year to compete against the Dallas Mavericks during his rookie season, upwards of 200 people came out to see him play and show their support of him.

 “Looking forward to coming home to Dallas for our game on Nov. 3rd, 2024! The love and support last year was unbelievable with over 200 people supporting me in my hometown!” - Anthony Black

It would be awesome to meet or exceed last year’s turn-out for this season’s Magic-Mavs match-up. Hopefully, we’ll see you there!

Coming UP…|

Looking at What’s Ahead:

AB Elite aims to complete one service project/give-back event for the Thanksgiving holiday and another for the Christmas holiday. Dates and times TBA.

We are aiming to host an AB Elite Kickball Charity Event in the spring of 2025. Event details still to come.