our mission
The Basketball Embassy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that builds community, empowers emerging leaders and unites people from all geographical, political and religious backgrounds using the universal language of sport, specifically basketball.
“What you are as a person is far more important than what you are as a basketball player.”
a common court
Imagine traveling to a foreign land and finding yourself uncomfortably out of your element. The place that would feel most like home would be your country's embassy. The concept of "home" was in mind when we created The Basketball Embassy. We wanted to present the game of basketball as a safe haven, because that's what it has meant to us, regardless of our varying backgrounds. We're all equally home here, because a basketball court shows no preference to flags. No matter where we come from, a basketball court should be a place of mutual respect and enjoyment for all.
THE BIG PICTURE
We take great pride in providing basketball instruction and guidance to players, coaches and organizations alike. We preach substance over style and teamwork over individual acclaim. We believe full potential is only achieved through a balance of skills and knowledge, and we're thrilled for every kid we can help reach that potential on the court. But the real satisfaction comes when we see our players truly "get it" - the principles they learn through basketball extend to life in general. These lessons aren't just meant to make for better players; they make for better people. Every time we accomplish this, our mission has truly been achieved.
We’ve been told we are divided. We’re born into a world divided, literally, by lines on a map. We’re raised in societies claiming that the things that make us different from one another should divide us, and we hear it so often that we accept it as truth.
The reality is that we’re only as divided as we allow ourselves to be. Technology makes divisive language, both subtle and overt, more accessible than ever before. To counter this, The Basketball Embassy would like to encourage basketball fans from all corners of the globe to spread messages of unity with the hashtag #UnitedWeHoop on social media. Share pictures and videos of camaraderie between players of opposing backgrounds, tag friends you’ve made through the game, and showcase anything that inspires basketball fans across the world to come together.
The Basketball Embassy has seen firsthand the power of sport and its ability to bring together people of varying backgrounds. These interactions change people; not only are individual relationships created, but unfounded prejudices toward entire groups get called into question. New friends find themselves recognizing and reevaluating opposing viewpoints, and accepting them for what they are - merely differences, not divisions.
“United We Hoop” is a reminder - the three words we should tell ourselves every time we think about the game of basketball. We are united with our teammates and our opponents alike, sharing a common love of the game.
We are very different people, but we don’t have to be divided.
Every time you touch a basketball, you're part of something bigger than yourself.
Think about that. Every basketball player in the world - past, present, and future, has something in common. For all of your differences, whoever just passed you the ball has at least one shared love. There's something very powerful about that. This is the basis for what makes sports a singularly powerful weapon in battling hate.
WE ARE ALL AMBASSADORS
It is up to all of us to recognize that we are constantly an ambassador to something. Our actions and words not only effect how others view us as individuals, but how they view all of the things we are associated with as well. Like it or not, stereotypes exist in this world. We firmly believe that we all have an obligation to create a positive stereotype for what a "basketball player" represents. Playing basketball makes you an ambassador to the game, and we strive to create ambassadors who will be passionate students, operating with a genuine integrity, dependability, honesty, and compassion for all - both on and off the court.
The Basketball Embassy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation helps us improve our events across the globe and strengthens our outreach in the San Antonio community.