WHAT DOES HOOPLOVE MEAN TO YOU?

KARLTON GRANT

Founder | The Werk Club

The game means life…life’s ups and downs, it’s what helps me live, it’s what makes me happy, it’s what excites me, it’s what feeds me. It makes me sad and makes me cry, it makes me take risks.

The game is a second life that completes me and gives me balance through ups and downs.

WILL MAYNARD

Head Coach | Southern Senior High, Harwood MD

I will forever be grateful for the relationships I’ve developed because of the age of basketball. The life lessons I learned from basketball are valuable tools that I will continue to use for the rest of my life.

“Basketball is a tool”

MONTOYO WOOTEN

Head Coach | Carver Vo-Tech, Baltimore MD

The game of basketball has provided me joy and a place where I can lose myself and everything negative that has effected me in times of grief. It’s provided bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime and I am thankful for that. Some of my closest friends were made playing the game.

“Basketball is my peaceful place”

ARIZE

Founder | More Than Basketball

The game of basketball at its core has always been a passion, a hobby, a means of social interaction to and for me. However as I began to get older and entrench myself in the business of basketball I realized how it changes lives from a socioeconomic standpoint. It’s become a salvation for not only those on the court, but off it as well. Representatives, front office execs, media members and more all financially empowered by the game…and at a lower level it helps you earn a free education, enter the world debt free and teach you at a very young age the influence and culture that’s based around the spirit of competition in such a beautiful game.

TOMMY MITCHELL

President/Owner | King of D Court

Started as a game that introduced me to people outside of my neighborhood and they accepted me.

It helped me fit in at new schools because I could play.

It gave me an escape from hardships in my personal life because I could use it to ignore.

It was a pass that the neighborhood accepted when most teens around me were being introduced to drugs and other things teens become distracted with. Because the neighborhood  wanted me to “make it.”

It made institutions of higher learning think I was important enough to pursue me and take my ability to play a sport as the means of payment to attend their school. Which I would use to obtain a degree. 

I am paid to travel the world to share my ability to play the game. 

It gave me a dream as a young man to reach the game’s  highest stage, and because I did. I am on a first name basis with some which society would deem as important, from politicians, entertainers to executives. 

“Basketball is my currency”

DAVONE CHANDLER

Youth Coach | Arnold MD

Basketball meant hardworking. Basketball meant all day at the parks. Basketball meant great accomplishments and greater heartbreaks. Basketball meant my gateway into places and people.

Basketball means peace, basketball means camaraderie, basketball means evolution, basketball means time with my kids. Basketball means opportunities. Basketball is a lifetime of memories.

“Basketball is memories”

CAPITOL HOOPS

Capitol Hoops

Basketball impacts my life on so many levels. A passion, a love, a business and most importantly a way to make a difference and give back.

“Basketball makes a difference”