Hoops Elite Magazine - Issue 2 | Page 33

HOOPS ELITE MAGAZINE not know in the beginning is that we have a structure that is strong. Even a strong wind is not going to just blow us out of here. It is not so much where I see us in 5 years as where I have to take us. Our oldest player is in the 8th grade right now so I have to start figuring out how to keep them successful at the next level. For bitty ball I can confidently say we offer the best experience in youth basketball in Michigan. I need to be able to say at the start and the end of the next level that we are still offering this to our players as well as helping the rest of Michigan get better and back on the map. That is what establishing our relationship with the EBC has been about. What do you think makes the EBC standout from other youth leagues? From our first conversation with Mr. Kelly we knew he was the one. It is hard to find that combination of sincerity and drive, but when we heard the plan we wanted to align ourselves with it. Clearly The EBC set out to raise the bar and set a new standard in youth basketball, we wanted to be a part of that. It was in line with our mission in running Next Stop Basketball League. Take the best competition, from the best places and give them an opportunity to do even better. Make basketball be about the game and the players. It sounds so simple but it is rare. I believe all the success of the EBC is a reflection of the strong need in youth basketball for a new framework where we can organize together, respect each other, compete and grow. With the EBC inaugural season around the corner how do you feel about the competition and how you stack up against them? I think this will be as competitive as AAU and as our kids get older I think it will provide an excellent forum for their continued success. Our teams are going to have to 33 | Issue 2 - March 2015 bring it every game to be competitive. We will be contenders, as always we have to play the game. Lastly, for the people and potential sponsors that are new to the Express Basketball Club what can you tell them about your program? When my wife and I read this question we laughed. We didn’t think much about a sponsor. In the beginning we did but then we learned that sponsorships were not always about helping kids. So we took a different route; we try to create our own opportunities. We figure out how to get our teams and our organization to the next step, the next year and remain successful. When we got tired of playing in the leagues around here we started our own league. Our league is called Next Stop because we wanted the best teams to come here to prepare for their real season, where a good game meant more than winning a game. We met with a potential sponsor about a year ago and at the end of the meeting the person concluded that we had more to gain by keeping our autonomy than by what they could offer us. That was the best compliment ever. I think more and more our hard work is paying off. We want to be seen as leaders. If someone was to see the opportunities we are providing for our kids and wanted to help we would welcome the help, we are all working hard.