Asphalt Green Basketball Wraps Record-Breaking 2024–2025 Season
Asphalt Green Basketball ended their historic 2024-2025 season in style at a national tournament earlier this June, with over half of the program’s 26 teams competing against top teams from around the country!
Over the course of the 2024–2025 season, Asphalt Green fielded a record number of teams (20 boys, 6 girls) and competed in nearly 500 games—a major leap from the 401 games played during the 2023–2024 season. Most impressively, they earned 12 championships over the course of the season, taking the next step in the program’s rise to the top of NYC youth basketball.
“All championship teams, whether it’s at the youth, collegiate or professional levels have similar attributes. The most important thing is buying in and having one singular vision. This can be seen through the Lense of the coach and magnified through practice, preparation and stability. All championship teams come to practice focused on preparing for game action and working together as a unit.”
– Chris Cassels, Director of Basketball Operations
We spoke with AG Basketball’s expert coaches to reflect on what made this year’s historic season so successful, and what the program hopes to achieve in the season(s) ahead!
AG Basketball competed in a record number of almost 500 games this year. What do you attribute the program’s growth to?
Adrianne Bunbury, Director of Coaching:
From my perspective, one of the biggest reasons our program has been successful is the foundation and consistency we’ve built. For a long time, we were overlooked. But now that we’ve won and competed at a high level in serious tournaments this spring, people are finally starting to recognize the work that’s been happening behind the scenes.
This season featured the most girls’ teams in program history. Can you speak to the growth of the girls’ program and the rise of girls’ basketball more generally?
Shirod Ince, Director of Player Development:
The growth of the girls’ program has been centered around the foundation laid by the very first girls to join. They came in wanting equal opportunities, safe coaching environments, fundamental growth, and a chance to compete. That helped cultivate a real love for the game.
Girls who saw that blueprint wanted to be part of the program—even if they didn’t have prior experience. Representation matters, and as more girls see themselves in the game—whether it’s in the WNBA, college, or in their local gym—they’re inspired to play. These girls have game, and now they have support, too!
What do you think has led to the tremendous growth of your team specifically over the last year, which cultivated in a 6th grade spring championship and program high numbers of wins at nationals?
Yves Celestian- Head Coach, 6th grade Boy
For us, it starts with setting the culture and expectations. We don’t play for t-shirts and trophies; we play for growth, development and for the love of the game. When you have that mentality from the coaching staff to the last man on the roster, it makes it easier for each player to get better every day.
This mindset & culture we implemented as coaches on the team was the springboard for a family feel around the team and was the pathway for guys to get better throughout the season. It was very important that we created an atmosphere at practice in which each player feels valued, can make mistakes and can be their true selves.
Join AG Basketball and Pursue Your Hoop Dreams
Asphalt Green Basketball is always looking for talented and dedicated athletes committed to growth, teamwork, and community. Tryouts for our fall AAU team are coming up this September, and we’d love to see you there!
Still want to get in the game, but not ready for elite competition? Registration is also open for AG Basketball’s instructional classes, private lessons, and recreational leagues, offering young ballers of all experience levels grow and fuel their passion for the game.
No matter your child’s experience level on the court, or what they hope to achieve, there’s a spot for them at AG Basketball!
