KnowYourBaller, our primary brand, operates through two distinct channels. Presently, one of these channels operates within the for-profit sector, focusing on the creation and sale of video clips, utilizing AWS infrastructure, and the youth apprenticeships for filming and production. However, our objective is to transition this aspect of our business into a non-profit foundation. This transition involves restructuring the sale of video clips and the apprenticeship program under a non-profit framework. The purpose of this transition is to align with our mission of supporting youth athletes and academians while fostering community development.
We welcome funding from potential partners to facilitate this conversion to a non-profit model in support of the free clips and apprenticeship programs. Concurrently, the other side of our business will continue to operate within the for-profit sector, offering services such as intensive stats, program filming and production, individual hype/recruiting mixes, and services from our live stats production platform Live5. The profit side of the business will generate revenue from the delivery of these products and services to commercial clientele.
Our primary area of emphasis is basketball. We invite players from across the state to participate. Our selection process, unlike other similar events, is not focused on bringing in the highest tier of talent. In fact, we focus on younger athletes and those who play on the next tier of talent, and even a third-tier player for these events.
It is our belief that these are often the players with a chance to play at the next level on a smaller scale but do not have a forum custom-built to deliver exposure to their level of play, to promote their skills, or to build their awareness of the process. Further, we know these are frequently the players who have often been overlooked for next-level camps, educational and social-emotional seminars, soft skills development, etc. Finally, we know these are the athletes who have been provided with little, if any, film to celebrate their skills and accomplishments.
Our one-day tournaments are designed to foster athletic competition among similar-tiered athletes. We celebrate these student-athletes by crowning a champion, a runner-up, an all-tourney team, and an overall MVP. These awards serve to enhance feelings of achievement and self-worth.
Our tournaments foster growth by supplying educational, training, and cultural opportunities beyond the play on the court/field. Additionally, we provide free film footage from the event. This footage can be utilized to develop/enhance recruiting or potentially be used for social capital for the student-athlete and their family/friends.
As previously noted, this segment of student-athletes generally miss out on various enhancements that are abundantly available to their more highly courted peers. Vintage Hoops introduces these student-athletes to a series of informational platforms intended to enhance their opportunities at the next level.
Vintage Hoops tournaments include a post-secondary recruiting awareness program delivered by our partner, PrepSearch. PrepSearch provides college success education (seminars) to students in grades 8-12 and their families, focusing on the college sports recruiting process. CEO and Founder Dr. Enzley Mitchell IV will guide students and families through the entire college sports recruiting process and explain how to increase exposure to coaches at the NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, USCAA, NCCAA, and NJCAA levels.
In addition to seminars that help high schools, sports clubs, and organizations increase the pipeline of students using sports to attend college, PrepSearch also offers a subscription-based college list builder and advising software to assist high school students and counselors in creating college lists. Individualized consulting is available for prospective student-athletes and their families to assist them with the recruiting process, as well as developing an application and admissions strategy. For more information, please visit www.prepsearch.net.
Vintage Hoops also provides student-athletes and their families the opportunity to attend various educational seminars focused on life skills development. We partner with numerous organizations that focus on social-emotional growth, conflict resolution, mental health resources, and violence reduction, among other critical areas of personal development.
None of this is possible without the generous contributions from organizations focused on improving the quality of life for families in the area. Vintage Hoops uses these charitable contributions to invest in student-athletes in the following ways:
When?:
Our objective is to host an event in a different location, serving a more local community of student-athletes from across the state, every month during the months of April, May, June, and July.
Athletics / Athletic Education:
Live5
Prep Search
Elevate Hoops
Central Christian Academy
Sports Ventures International
Socio-Emotional Development
Elevate Indy
Stop the Violence Indy
Gabe Hilt Studios
Peace Learning Center
Dream Alive
Vendor Partners:
Gus Fugazi Records
Indys Finest Vintage
Db Retro
CirKul
Edens Lost
Indiana Vintage Market
General Community:
Dream Alive
Amp Harris Foundation
Employ Indy
Life Smart Youth
All Pro Dads