Kingdom Hoops: Baller & Total Person Commandment

<img class="alignnone wp-image-212285" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/10/108-Makenna-Clark-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="336" /> This is the feature on the sixth, in a series of many, AAU programs in the state of Iowa. This AAU grassroots program spreads its wings to a serious extent and puts themselves out there in ways that are unimaginable. It is uncommon to see an AAU basketball organization that makes a total difference in virtually every dimension of our youth’s daily life like this one does. This program brings out the very best in every athlete in the program, and strives for greatness in terms of the player’s integrity, ethics, morals, character, etc. Their beliefs go far beyond the court, and they make it a priority to make sure the “game of life” is first on their list of emphasis and instruction. The AAU program I am referring to is the elite Kingdom Hoops organization. They not only provide endless opportunities for our youth to become tremendous basketball players, but also tremendous people and individuals on the inside. They start at a young age, and have teams of both boys and girls from kindergarten all the way through 11th grade (pre-senior year). This season, on the girls side, they have teams that start at 2nd grade and go through 10th grade (current sophomores in HS). They are based in Des Moines, Iowa; and have an awesome facility that is used for practices, tournaments, summer camps, skills sessions, etc. The overall structure of this AAU program is simply amazing. They truly want what is best out of each player as a complete athlete and person. They are very balanced in terms of what they have to offer. Their beliefs of making sure the athlete is enhancing necessary traits of life definitely pays dividends to their whole organization and what kind of people the staff members are. Kingdom Hoops is a non-profit 501C3 youth organization doing business under the umbrella of Kingdom Cares. The mission statement of the Kingdom Hoops program is, “Our desire is to be recognized as the premiere youth development organization in the state of Iowa rather than a premiere basketball program. We believe that basketball can provide a platform for youth to work on leadership, teamwork, failure, success, commitment, loyalty, goal-setting, and delayed gratification; all of which helps win the most important game, which is the game of life. The goal for us is to watch your son or daughter turn in to the leader at their high school. Our goal is to watch introverted kids become leaders. Our goal is to see passionate kids learn how to channel that into positive leadership. Our goal is to see your young people head off to college as successful adults, not just basketball players.” They are surely having a definite impact on the total person. Our youth are blossoming into incredible overall people that thrive out in society thanks to an AAU organization like this one. This is how we create productive stewards in the community, who bring out the best in others and establish a sense of belonging and comradery. There are a variety of staff members within the Kingdom Hoops AAU program that are the floor generals of the achievements and success they have brought into the organization. Todd Miller is the CEO of the program. He has been the main reason in the growth of the organization, and is the forefront of why this AAU program has a wide range of opportunities for the youth individual to evolve and develop in every dimension of basketball, as well as for his/her future as a functional member of society. Todd shares roles with Brant Miller, who is the Executive Director of the program. Brant also has been a pivotal movement in the advancement of the program, and has been a great leader in all facets of the organization. Vance Mosley is the Boys and Girls Program Director for the 4th-11th teams. He has extensive experience and background in the game, and has been coaching and developing players since 2005. He also has a true passion for the game and wants to make a difference for these youth players both on and off the floor. Tyler Headlee is the Boys and Girls Program Director for the kindergarten through 3rd grade teams. He has been with the program for six years, so he is very comfortable and familiar on how to grow and lead these young players. To take that leadership role of coaching some kids that are in the range of five to six years old takes a person that wants to see our young youth begin this game at an early age, and wants each of them to learn the skills that can make them really good players by the time they get to middle school. This speaks volume of his motivation to grow the game and get these young tots acclimated to the essential elements of basketball. This AAU program also has several coaches that lead each team, and a few of them are also skills trainers within the organization. Each coach is definitely making a positive impact on each player, and is surely making a true difference in their lives. They are also producing some significant ballers that have gone on to be outstanding players at all college levels, particularly the NCAA DI and DII level. The girls teams travel to some prestigious tournaments throughout the spring/summer months and play against other top notch competition. Their 2021 16U team (current sophomores) are stacked with high-level talent that will be making some loud noise this spring/summer. This past weekend, they played in Milwaukee at the USJN Windy City Classic. In upcoming weeks and months, they are heading out to Ames, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Chicago, and will conclude their season in Des Moines for the Nike Summer Finale. Some players to keep note of and watch play this 2021 AAU season on this Kingdom Hoops U16 Elite team are [player_tooltip player_id="63055" first="Jenna" last="Pitz"] (G, 2023), [player_tooltip player_id="63027" first="Emma" last="Hampton"] (F, 2023), [player_tooltip player_id="63017" first="Makenna" last="Clark"] (G, 2023), [player_tooltip player_id="63067" first="Addison" last="Steffy"] (F, 2023), and [player_tooltip player_id="63056" first="Averi" last="Porter"] (G, 2023). These are some skilled players on this team that play both the guard and forward position. They bring a lot of versatility to the table and will be tremendous college players in years to come. There is a firm belief here that the Kingdom Hoops AAU program will keep turning heads and continue to make people realize the importance of playing team sports, as well as the critical aspect of what being a good person is. Families out in the community will see the neat tradition and history of this AAU program, what goals they are accomplishing on and off the court; and will want to put their kids in this program. Each of their teams have brought home a lot of hardware, and there is no question this will continue as years go on. Please follow and keep up to date on games and tournaments of the AAU organization, as they produce some high-level players with a lot of natural talent, skill, basketball IQ, and athleticism. Their website can be found at <a href="https://www.kingdomhoops.com/">https://www.kingdomhoops.com/</a>. You can also follow the program on social media at: @hoops_kingdom, @KHoopsGirls, @kingdomhoopsbasketball, and Kingdom Hoops Basketball.