A teenage basketball player from Knoxville AAU who has been mistreated by their coach declared, “I will never play again.”

A teenage basketball player from Knoxville AAU who has been mistreated by their coach declared, “I will never play again.”

Knoxville, TN — In a disturbing revelation that has sparked outrage within the local sports community, a teenage basketball player from a Knoxville-based AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) team has come forward with allegations of verbal abuse and mistreatment by their coach, leading the young athlete to declare they will never play basketball again.

“I loved the game. It used to be everything to me,” the 15-year-old player said in an emotional statement shared with local media. “But after the way I was treated, I don’t think I’ll ever step on the court again. I’m done.”

Allegations of Abuse

According to the family and their attorney, the teen—whose identity is being withheld for privacy and safety—claims the coach engaged in a consistent pattern of verbal humiliation, mental manipulation, and targeted punishment throughout the season.

Some of the allegations include:

• Publicly shaming players during practices and games
• Forcing excessive drills as punishment, including after injuries
• Making derogatory comments about players’ bodies and appearances
• Threatening to bench or cut players who spoke up or didn’t obey

The player says the behavior left them feeling “worthless” and “afraid to go to practice.”

Parental Concerns and Legal Action

The teen’s parents have filed a formal complaint with both the AAU’s regional board and local authorities. They are also exploring legal action against the coach and the organization for emotional distress and neglect of duty of care.

“We entrusted this program with our child’s well-being,” said the player’s mother. “Instead, they were bullied and broken down.”

AAU Team Under Scrutiny

The coach in question, who has not been publicly named pending investigation, has been placed on administrative leave while AAU authorities and school district officials review the allegations. The AAU organization has not issued a formal comment but confirmed an internal review is underway.

“This kind of behavior has no place in youth sports,” said a statement from Safe Play Tennessee, a nonprofit advocating for athlete safety. “We commend the bravery of this young player and call for full transparency in the investigation.”

Emotional and Mental Toll

Mental health experts say stories like this are becoming all too common in competitive youth sports.

“When young athletes experience abuse from trusted adults, the damage goes far beyond the game,” said Dr. Lena Graham, a Knoxville-based psychologist. “It impacts self-worth, identity, and long-term mental health.”

The player is now undergoing therapy and has stepped away from not only the team but also their school’s basketball program, stating that the trauma runs too deep to return.

A Call for Change

This incident has reignited conversations about coach accountability and the need for better oversight and protections in youth sports, particularly in non-school, privately operated programs like AAU.

Advocates are calling for:

• Mandatory abuse prevention training for all coaches
• Anonymous reporting systems for athletes and families
• Mental health support embedded into athletic programs
• Greater parental transparency and participation

Final Thoughts

As of now, the young player is focused on healing. Though their statement, “I will never play again,” has struck a chord across Tennessee and beyond, their courage in speaking up may inspire broader change.

“You should never have to choose between your passion and your safety,” said the teen’s attorney. “That’s the message we want to send.”