2023 in Review: The Biggest AU Pro Basketball Moments

Savanna Collins

Dec 29, 2023

Athletes Unlimited kicked off 2023 with Basketball as the first sport of the year. It’s been almost 365 days since the hoopers have taken the court, with Season 3 of AU Pro Basketball quickly approaching for its second season in Dallas, Texas.

Before going full steam ahead to the upcoming season, look back at the top three moments from AU Pro Basketball in 2023.

1. NaLyssa Smith’s 50-point game

NaLyssa Smith spent five weeks chasing first place on the leaderboard and in that final weekend, conquered the top spot. The 2023 Champion broke the record for the most rebounds in a season, double-doubles, and most leaderboard points in a single game. She finished with 6,811 points on the leaderboard.

Her uphill battle could not have ended on a more solid performance, recording a 50-piece in her final game of the season. It was the ultimate cap on her rookie year as a pro and now stands as the league’s single-game high.

2. AU x Special Olympics

AU Pro Basketball celebrated Special Olympics Texas as the players’ chosen community partner for the 2023 season.

This included the 24-Hour Nothing But Net marathon, led by analyst and former college basketball player Debbie Antonelli. Players, facilitators, and local community hoopers hit free throws all day to reach the goal and to raise awareness and support for Special Olympics Texas.

During halftime of the second game on March 11, there was a Special Olympics Texas scrimmage with AU athletes assisting as coaches and motivators.

Today we are partnering with Special Olympics for the @24HoursNBN Shoot-A-Thon 🏀

We caught up with @debbieantonelli to talk about why she started this event four years ago.@savannaecollins | #AUHoops pic.twitter.com/Km9qL5fuKl

— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) March 11, 2023

3. NBA players showing support

AU Pro Basketball had MVPs in the audience for the March 5 doubleheader when Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and T.J. Warren came out to watch. The three Phoenix Suns players were in town for their game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Durant is an advisory board member of the league and an investor. AU raised $30 million in new funding at the end of 2022 and Durant was part of the diverse investor groups through his and Rich Kleiman’s 35V.

supporting women’s sports.@CP3 x @KDTrey5 x @TonyWarrenJr pic.twitter.com/ql9cSLfvd7

— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) March 5, 2023

The upcoming season of AU Pro Basketball is right around the corner and will take place from Feb. 29 to March 23, 2024, at Fair Park Coliseum in Dallas, Texas.

Savanna Collins is the Digital Media Reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Twitter @savannaecollins.