Good morning!

It's been a while - a whole 7 weeks since the last newsletter - because we been DEEP in the grind! Pro-Am, NBA 3X, coaching sessions, plus planning stuff for August - this is the first weekend in 6 weeks we're not running an event (we have 3 weeks of skill sessions at Clapham that started yesterday, which, thank god, we ended up moving to a Friday!) so figured I would check in with an update of what has been going on...

This week's 3-pointer (with a +1):

🇺🇸 Hoopsfix Elite to take on California Basketball Club

It's been a big summer for Hoopsfix but this might be the biggest announcement of them all - we're set to play CBC (aka Sierra Canyon High School - something to do with high school rules in California means they must use a club name) on Thursday August 11th at the Copper Box - on ESPNU! We're putting together a selection of the best British basketball prospects to give ourselves the best chance of pulling off something special and holding a 4 day training camp from Mon-Thurs in East London (prep game Monday night against Montana State University). The tickets should go on sale this week, and we will announce our roster once it's all locked in - the interest has been NUTS; I can't see them not selling out the Copper Box for it, even with tickets going on sale so late!

🔥 First Hoopsfix Pro-Am in the bag!

In the time since I was last in your inbox, we completed five weeks of the first ever Hoopsfix Pro-Am, sponsored by Jordan Brand. Glacier Boys took the title on the men's side, while it was Team Sapphire on the women's side. I'm proud of the level of player we had suiting up - countless senior internationals, pros, college players and prospects from home and abroad; I'm hoping we can make it a regular feature every summer - it was clear it is needed and there is a hunger to watch it - we were at capacity every week with the crowd. Massive shout out to Jordan, plus CoLA for their hospitality over the 5 weeks, and the crew of staff and volunteers that helped make it happen.

🌳 NBA 3X done with a special visit from Jeremy Sochan

Part of our efforts this summer are around activating Clapham Common basketball courts which we renovated last year with Foot Locker, the NBA and Basketball England - we were lucky enough to get the chance to deliver the NBA 3X London presented by Foot Locker last weekend, where we were blessed with Jeremy Sochan's presence. It was a joy to see just how much the kids looked up to him and how willing he was to sign autographs, take photos and talk. It gives me real hope that his presence in the NBA this coming season and for the years to come could really have a positive impact on the game here. See everything that is going on at the courts @claphamcommoncourt.

🇬🇧/🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 International duty

A bunch of stuff going on at the moment for every British basketball fan to get their teeth into - the Commonwealth Games is underway - check the full schedule here; can be watched on the BBC, meanwhile the GB Under-18s begin their European Championships campaign at 11:45am - check the men's streams and schedule here, and the women's here.

As always, hit reply with any thoughts, questions or anything else (except for about tickets to the Hoopsfix Elite vs Sierra Canyon game!).

With gratitude,

Sam

P.S. The BBL has been a madness over the last 6 weeks - salary cap was removed, competition format changes, and there has been signings galore! Just visit Hoopsfix.com for all the latest!