Grassroots preview: Ball 4 Life
The Ball 4 Life organization out of Tulsa, Oklahoma is making waves with their success on the court. This year Ball 4 Life has expanded to five teams across the high school ranks. They pride themselves on developing players on and off the court.
“Our team goals are to develop better basketball players by preparing them on and off the court,” said Director Jody Huffman. “Work hard now to peak in the July evaluation period.”
Lots of players throughout the program have something to prove. What makes Ball 4 Life so hard to beat is the chip that many players carry on their shoulders. They are out to prove everyone wrong and show they belong and can ball.
“This makes this group, these teams, very exciting to coach,” said Coach Huffman when referring to his players having a chip on their shoulders. “We don’t have to beg them to bring their best, they do that. We just have to be ready give them our best.”
The 2020 group has a chance to be pretty solid. 6’2 Guard Nehemiah Boykins and 6’3 Forward Sean Carter lead the way for the Ball 4 Life 2020 team. They both have a chance to burst onto the high school scene and garner minutes at the varsity level early in their high school careers.
The 2019 teams have a few players that contributed to their varsity teams this year and look to come back better to shoulder a heavier load. Ball 4 Life has two 2019 teams led by two point guards that may be small in stature, but huge in leadership and heart. 5’7 Point Guard Jordan McAlester plays with such a high motor. He really wants to get better, which is very evident by his hustle and heart he displays at all times on the court. 5’6 Tylan Barns is a coach on the court at the Point Guard spot. He is the engine to a team that can make some noise this summer.
The 2018 team is led by three varsity starting guards 5’11 Derek Hill, 6’0 Damian Everett, and 6’1 Corbin Daniels. They are tough playmaking guards that love to play defense, which is rare in this day and age. They are a team who has tough experienced guard play on an undersized team with active and versatile forwards. 6’3 Forward Garrett Eaton is playing with the 2018 team as a 2020 prospect.
Ball 4 Life has a great organization that does things the right way from top to bottom. The development of their players shines through there programs history. Look for several small college basketball players to come from each team this summer.
For more information email Matt@prephoopsoklahoma.com