WHO WE ARE

The AYBO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Southern California, that specializes in the higher education of exceptional student athletes on the continent of Africa through the game of basketball. Our goal is to give these student athletes the opportunity to gain high school diplomas and college degrees as well as play the game of basketball at the highest levels.

The AYBO is dedicated to placing student athletes in the top schools throughout the United States with the emphasis on higher education on, and especially off the court in the classroom. The AYBO is also dedicated to building the knowledge and popularity of the game of basketball through grassroots programs, camps, and clinics in Africa, with our base in Accra, Ghana.

AYBO currently consist of 4 core members who volunteer their time and energy to bringing the goals of the organization to fruition. AYBO is deeply rooted in the love of basketball. Furthermore, we are passionately dedicated to showing the world how that love can change lives and bring hope to kids, their families, their communities, and their countries.
Picture of adult male, basketball coach, Ku

MEET COACH KU

I am a first-hand account of what the game of basketball can do. Basketball motivated me to stay on the right path. Even in the face of poverty and despair, growing up in highly adverse environments as a youth, teen and young adult, my love of basketball and belief that it could help my family and I to get out, kept me motivated and strong for my mother and 2 younger brothers. Now as an adult, my creator and the game of basketball have given me the call to give back to other young Africans, who have a dream to realize through the game.

Kwaku Amoaku

Coach & Founder of the AYBO

OUR EXTENDED FAMILY

The student athletes that we help to bring to the U.S., as well as their families back home, become a part of a larger family unit. We are very close to all of our students in the states as well as in West Africa. AYBO is consistently in close communication with our kids and the schools where they are furthering their education, making sure to make a presence felt. We also do as much as we can to take care of day-to-day needs, such as clothing, food, bedding, etc. Due to this personal hands on approach with each of our students, AYBO treats each kid as a loved family member and takes a personal investment and interest in each and every one of our students.

ABDUL RAZAK SHANUN BASKETBALL CAMPS & CLINICS

AYBO cares so deeply for all of our kids. So the loss of our little brother and one of our most promising young men in late August of 2014 at the age of 17, is an event that has still left our lives, his immediate family, his global family and the lives of the communities he touched, shattered.

This amazing young man had that “it” factor and was destined to be a star. A remarkable and once-in-a-lifetime athletic individual. Razak was preceded by his glowing and engaging personality that came thru when he flashed his million dollar smile. He worked equally as well in the classroom with a 3.0 GPA. At the time of Razak’s passing, his star was soaring. With scholarship offers and interest from high level college basketball and academic programs nationwide (San Diego State University, University of Portland, UC Santa Barbara, University of Wyoming, University of San Diego, San Jose State University, UC Riverside, Tulane University, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fresno State University, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Seton Hall University, etc.), Razak was destined to be a high school and college graduate with the hopes of playing basketball professionally and helping his family and community in Ghana. As well as being the face to a young generation of African basketball players that would have wanted to follow in his footsteps. With Razak’s passing, AYBO has begun steps to make sure every young student athlete that we help to bring to the states, knows the story of Abdul Razak Shanun, and the ultimate sacrifice and price that he and his family paid to follow his dreams. AYBO has named our recruiting camps and clinics after him, as well as begun to start the process of a possible scholarship program in his name for the next generation of AYBO alumni to benefit from. Below are some of the articles written about our little brother’s passing:

Fundamentals of the AYBO Education. The AYBO is dedicated to the higher education of student athletes in Africa. Our goal is to use the great game of basketball as a vehicle with which exceptional young student athletes can obtain high school diplomas and college degrees in a wide variety of areas. The AYBO also encourages its young people to return to their origins once their playing days have expired and better their neighborhoods and countries and to be role models to the next generation of students and student athletes. The AYBO fully understands that, although the discipline and competitiveness of sports never fade, the physical aspect must come to an end at some point. Some students will end their playing days once they graduate and earn a diploma. Others will get the opportunity to play professionally. The education that they have earned combined with their discipline and competitiveness nurtured though the game of basketball, will serve them for the rest of their lives in the workforce, their families, their home countries, and hopefully allow them to change the world for better. With the AYBO, education is the ultimate goal.

Discipline and Competition. The AYBO supports the importance of discipline and competition throughout the numerous coaching clinics, skills and recruiting camps, games and tournaments. The AYBO emphasizes discipline on and off the court, and competing with heart and passion. These elements in a student athlete are highly sought after by educators, coaches, and later in life by work-forces of the world. The AYBO strives to teach young people to rely on these elements and show- with action- the benefit and rewards.

Knowledge and Love of Game. The grassroots program that the AYBO creates is one based out of the love of the game of basketball. Basketball is a sport that has touched and saved the lives of many throughout the world. It’s an art form that is played everywhere from California to China. Whether playing professionally throughout the world or playing at your local outdoor court, the joy of basketball is alive and stronger than ever. The AYBO is dedicated to spreading the love and joy of basketball to as many people worldwide as it can. Whether for exercise, educational progression, or for a profession, we believe in the many wonderful pleasures and lessons that the game of basketball brings to the table. The AYBO will do its part to bring this to the world. Starting with youth as young as 7 years old, the AYBO promotes the game and strives to create a new generation of basketball lovers that will pass down their passion for the game and build a legacy.

The AYBO uses the game of basketball to give young student athletes exposure on and off the court. We push to have kids play basketball at the highest levels against the best competition worldwide. This exposure allows for many wonderful, and often life changing, experiences that will greatly shape the lives of young people. The game of basketball can expose student athletes to different cultures and environments that they would not otherwise have an opportunity to explore. The exposure also puts these student athletes in front of many educators and coaches that otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to see the talents, elements, and skills that makes these young people special.

We have many opportunities to expand our basketball camps in Ghana and other parts of Africa, particularly Nigeria where we can broaden the search base for more of the top athletes in these regions.

01 SEEK, REFINE, & GROW

Work with local coaches in Ghana and other parts of Africa to hold small camps that will identify the top athletes in a region and then invite those top athletes to the sponsored basketball camp in Accra. Here the kids will showcase their athletic talent, meet the AYBO coaches, and walk away with shoes, jerseys, and other athletic gear.

04 US TOURS

Bring a group of basketball players from Ghana to the U.S. during the summer to tour in a high-level basketball circuit.

02 EXPAND 

Expand the basketball camps and clinics to hold at least two large camps annually, as well as smaller clinics that focus on helping the students in Ghana and other parts of Africa hone their basketball skills.

05 SUPPORT 

Be able to expand our support system for each student while they are here in the U.S., including bringing them to California to visit and play in tournaments as well as help them with unexpected issues that arise.

03 ANNUAL COACHES CLINIC

Hold an annual coaches clinic to teach the newest coaching techniques and concepts.

06 BUILD

Building indoor basketball facilities in West Africa (specifically Ghana), that can be used to promote the love of other sports.

NEWS & EVENTS

Stay updated on our players, news about our organization, and recruitment and sponsorship opportunities.

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