The Kentucky travel AAU basketball team has been sued by many parents for the missing of their are children who are their players.

The Kentucky travel AAU basketball team has been sued by many parents for the missing of their are children who are their players.

Louisville, KY – April 14, 2025

A prominent Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball team based in Kentucky is under fire after multiple players reportedly went missing while traveling for an out-of-state tournament. The situation has sparked outrage among parents and community members, leading to a series of lawsuits against the team’s organizers and coaching staff.

According to court documents and local authorities, at least eight parents have filed lawsuits against the Kentucky Wildcats Elite, an AAU travel basketball team composed of teenagers ranging in age from 13 to 17. The allegations claim that the team failed to adequately supervise their players, leading to the disappearance of several children during a recent trip to Atlanta, Georgia, for a regional AAU basketball showcase.

A Trip That Went Terribly Wrong

The team departed Louisville on April 5th, traveling by chartered van to participate in the Southern Slam Invitational, a multi-day basketball tournament that attracts hundreds of teams from across the Southeast. Parents said they paid substantial fees—some as high as $1,500 per child—for the travel, lodging, and tournament entry.

However, what began as a promising opportunity for youth athletes to showcase their talents quickly turned into a nightmare. By the morning of April 7th, several parents reported that they had been unable to reach their children. When attempts to contact the coaching staff failed, panic began to set in.

“I hadn’t heard from my son in over 24 hours,” said Carla Johnson, the mother of 14-year-old Isaiah Johnson. “His phone was off, and the coach wouldn’t answer. I felt helpless.”

Authorities say that five players were unaccounted for as of April 8th. Two more parents reported their children missing later that day. The parents, acting independently at first, filed missing persons reports with the Atlanta Police Department, prompting a broader investigation.

Lawsuits Filed in Kentucky Circuit Court

Within days, the families of the missing children took legal action. Represented by Louisville-based attorney Marcus Ellison, eight families have jointly filed civil lawsuits accusing the AAU team of gross negligence, breach of duty of care, and endangering the welfare of minors.

“This is an unconscionable failure of responsibility,” said Ellison during a press conference. “The adults entrusted with the care of these children abandoned their duties. We will pursue every legal avenue to hold them accountable.”

The lawsuits allege that team organizers did not properly plan or monitor the trip. Key accusations include:

• Failing to maintain proper adult-to-minor supervision ratios.
• Allowing players to leave the team hotel unsupervised at night.
• Not securing emergency contact protocols or medical information.
• Inconsistent lodging arrangements, with reports of players being moved to different hotels without parental knowledge.

One family even alleges that their son was “last seen walking alone late at night near a gas station in a high-crime area.”

Where Are the Missing Players Now?

As of April 14th, two of the missing players have been located. Police say they were found in a Greyhound bus terminal in downtown Atlanta and appeared disoriented but physically unharmed. The circumstances surrounding their separation from the team are still under investigation.

“We are thankful that these two boys are safe, but our work is far from over,” said Atlanta Police Detective Lisa Raymond. “There are still multiple minors unaccounted for, and we’re treating this with the utmost urgency.”

The remaining players are still being sought, with the help of the FBI and local authorities across state lines. No evidence of foul play has yet been confirmed, but officials are not ruling out the possibility.

The Role of the Team’s Coaching Staff

Adding to the controversy is the role of the team’s head coach, Derrick “Coach D” Martin, a former semi-professional basketball player who founded the Kentucky Wildcats Elite program in 2019. Coach Martin has not spoken publicly since the incident and has reportedly left the state.

Parents claim that Martin and his assistant coaches have been uncooperative with investigators. In the lawsuits, families say they were misled about the level of experience and credentials held by the coaching staff.

“The coach promised us safety and structure. What we got was chaos and abandonment,” said Renee Alvarez, whose 15-year-old son is still missing.

The AAU national office released a statement saying they are “deeply concerned” and are conducting their own internal review. “The Amateur Athletic Union places the safety of all athletes as our highest priority. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and urge anyone with information to come forward.”

Community Response and Calls for Oversight

The incident has sparked widespread outrage across Kentucky and the broader youth sports community. Several parents have organized protests outside the AAU’s regional headquarters, demanding greater accountability and oversight of travel teams.

Youth sports experts say this case highlights systemic issues in the AAU system.

“There are hundreds of independent teams operating with little oversight,” said Dr. Lisa Brenner, a youth sports safety advocate. “It’s a wake-up call for parents and policymakers. We need stronger vetting, mandatory training, and regulatory standards for those working with minors in competitive sports.”

State lawmakers are reportedly drafting a bill that would require all travel sports teams operating in Kentucky to register with the state and meet minimum safety standards, including background checks for coaches and emergency preparedness training.

Looking Ahead

For the families involved, the lawsuits are about more than compensation—they are about justice and change.

“We just want our kids home, and we want to make sure this never happens again,” said Carla Johnson through tears. “This was supposed to be a dream opportunity, not a nightmare.”

Investigations remain ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with information about the missing players or the Kentucky Wildcats Elite program to contact the Atlanta Police Department or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Meanwhile, the AAU tournament circuit continues—though now under the shadow of a disturbing case that has shaken the foundation of youth travel basketball.