Arbaz Singh’s initiative to create an affordable AAU basketball team highlights the rising costs of youth sports and the importance of accessibility in athletics.
The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) was originally established to help youth athletes gain exposure for college recruitment and scholarship opportunities. However, the landscape of youth sports has changed dramatically, with many AAU basketball teams now charging nearly $1,000 per player for a single season. A significant portion of these fees is allocated to indoor training facilities, jerseys, and uniforms.
In Fremont, one gym estimates that participation in an AAU league can cost between $300 to $450 per month, in addition to a $150 fee for gear and uniform packages. These rising costs have left many young athletes feeling excluded from the sport they love.
Frustrated by the financial barriers, 17-year-old Arbaz Singh decided to take action by founding his own AAU basketball team. Singh’s team, Jatt Da Maqabla (JDM), requires only a commitment to the game and a nominal fee of $20 to cover tournament entrance costs.
Singh created JDM to provide a platform for players like himself to showcase their skills without the burden of exorbitant fees that often prevent talented athletes from participating.
Nishant Mundian, a 16-year-old player on the JDM team, previously played for a rival AAU team that charged higher fees due to its reputation for producing college-bound players. “It felt like I was paying more for the name and past accomplishments of the team rather than playing the game,” Mundian explained.
Many AAU teams invest heavily in recruiting and advertising, often spending thousands on the latest equipment. In contrast, JDM prioritizes essential expenses, allowing them to keep costs low.
To further reduce expenses, JDM players often carpool or use public transportation to attend tournaments. The team has also opted for practical solutions over costly uniforms. “The duct-taped numbers on the back of our shirts help us play just as well as any jersey would,” Singh stated.
JDM employs creative training methods to enhance their basketball skills without incurring high costs. Singh noted that the team utilizes drills practiced by NBA players and watches instructional videos on YouTube to refine their techniques. “All we use is a few basketballs, some cones, and tape,” he said. “With that setup, you can pretty much practice and do any drill you want.”
Practices are held in parks and on outdoor basketball courts, allowing the team to scrimmage against older, more experienced players while avoiding the fees associated with indoor facilities. “The indoor basketball courts are the same size as the outdoor ones,” said Amrit Gill, a JDM player. Gill added that if he hadn’t found JDM, he likely would have quit playing AAU basketball altogether.
At 17, Gill expressed that he often received only 5 to 10 minutes of playing time per game on other competitive AAU teams. In contrast, JDM ensures that every player gets ample time on the court to demonstrate their skills, which can be crucial for attracting the attention of college recruiters. “In JDM, everyone gets time on the court to show their skill and can choose to sub out if they are tired,” Gill explained.
Despite the challenges, Singh acknowledged that some other AAU teams are not very welcoming to JDM. “The other teams pick on us because of our uniforms, and before the match starts, refs and coaches ask us if it’s our first game,” he said. “Just because our uniforms may not look the best, the other teams think we aren’t at their level.”
Nevertheless, Singh remains hopeful that other AAU teams will adopt JDM’s model, eliminating financial barriers that prevent young athletes from engaging in the sport they love. While JDM players may not sport coordinated uniforms, Singh emphasized that they have developed strong teamwork on the court.
“We all know each other’s strengths and weaknesses on the court; we know when to pass the ball,” he said, highlighting the camaraderie and skill that define the team.
Sami Khan, a member of the class of 2026 at James Logan High School in Union City, recognizes the importance of Singh’s initiative in making basketball accessible to all.
This content originally appeared in the Mercury News. Mosaic is a partner of the Knight Collaborative in which India Currents participates.