By: Zahra Bokhari

Making a difference on and off the court, Jayden Zsigo is one to watch when it comes to AAU Basketball. With a strong performance at the 2025 AAU Easter Classic this past weekend, we’re proud to highlight his efforts in both basketball and in philanthropy.

Currently in 7^th grade, Jayden is passionate about two things: basketball and shoes. Jayden plays for Vice City Basketball, a club team that participates in AAU events like this year’s Easter Classic. He also represents his school, Palmer Trinity Preparatory, as captain of their basketball team.

His love for basketball started when he was just 5 years old, playing at his local YMCA. As he grew older, Jayden began to be more and more passionate about the game and soon expanded to playing in AAU tournaments.

However, Jayden’s impact goes farther than the court.

After a mission trip to Guatemala with his family, Jayden came to the realization that many children walking around in Guatemala didn’t have shoes. For a basketball player, shoes are everything, they’re essential. This experience expanded his view on those without the same privileges as him and took him out of his comfort zone.

Heartbroken by this realization and unable to think about anything else, Jayden and his brother, Jeremiah, were eager to find ways to help. They researched what they could do and soon joined the Samaritan’s Feet Movement, a movement designed to provide shoes for those in need of them.

Now, Jayden and Jeremiah have taken their mission back home to Miami, Florida to their friends, family, schools, and neighborhoods. They have hosted plenty of community shoe drives around their community. The brothers have become synonymous with the shoe-drives to the point where shoes will be dropped off at the family’s home outside of the designated drives.

As parents, Jayden’s couldn’t be any prouder of him. They are so grateful to have two children who are aware of their own privilege, recognize that, and take it a step further to use their resources to help those who need it.

It’s this kind of hard work and heart that represents the Amateur Athletic Union’s goal to develop the total athlete by developing athletes on the court but also promoting good sportsmanship and good citizenship. Jayden Zsigo is the perfect example of a well-rounded athlete in action.