π° Exploring the court from a different angle
π¦ Unpacking the game behind the game
π Life's work
@Hoopsfix
/
@HoopsfixFdn
π Building in public
You can be all for the culture but if your business no longer exists, you can't do anything for the culture.
Got to find a model that works to pay you and your bills.
Proud of what went down at Crystal Palace yday.
1500 people in the building to watch u19 UK basketball stars, co-signed by some of the biggest brands in the world.
I've got the best team in the game, all selflessly trying to grow the game. Thank you all so much. β₯οΈ
#HASC22
Wow, what to say...there is no doubt in my mind this weekend was the best of my career. Every year in the run up to the event I ask myself why I put myself through the stress and then the moment it happens I am reminded why. Thank you all so, so, SO much. β₯οΈπ¬π§π
#HASC19
Thursday gonna be a hard one to top.
5,200 people at the Copper Box, on BT Sport/ESPNU AND
@Hoopsfix
Elite get the dub over CBC?! Mad.
People queuing hours early...by FAR the best atmosphere I've ever seen at British basketball event.
Never experienced anything like it.
We did it. In the middle of a pandemic. In a little over 3 weeks.
I say it every year but it is so humbling the amount of people that are willing to come together and support the Classic - thank you all so much, from the deepest depths of my soul. β₯οΈ
#HASC21
The quality of bball & star power at
@EuroBasket
really does make you wonder what would happen if some of the big games were broadcast on TV in the UK.
I feel it would help not only create new bball fans but help current fans realise there's more out there than just the NBA.
Whoβd have ever thought our little event would get backing from one of the worldβs biggest brands π ! Itβs been crazy trying to this over the line...Weβre back and doinβ it bigger and better than ever before. Gonna be a MAD couple monthsπ±π¬π§π
#HASC19
Hoopsfix All-Star Classic 2019 Announced; two days of action for the first time, addition of an U19 Women's game, coaches clinic and 3-point shoot out ππ¬π§π
#HASC19
Every BBL club should do a park takeover at their local court and play against local hoopers...would be so dope - build connection with the grassroots/city, connect with/create new fans, create potentially viral content.
This is awesome.
Looking like we are going to sell 1000 tickets for Saturday and then with guest list, players, staff etc - gonna be 1300-1400 in the building! π
For junior basketball.
37 tickets left.
#HASC22
π₯πππ’π₯π ππ₯π’πͺπ
#HASC22
is set to welcome the event's biggest attendance on Saturday with limited tickets remaining at Crystal Palace ‡οΈ
π Β»
Something is happening in Milton Keynes...
- Won National Cup (as D2 team!) in second year of having Senior team
- 400+ travelling fans to Cup Final
- Grown from 40 to 1000+ kids in community programme since founding in 2017
- Coaching in over 40 schools across MK
Impressive.
Y'all know how f'in huge this is?!
BIG TIME.
And don't even try come in my mentions 'bout him being Polish - just means you really don't get it and you don't get who young British players look to as role models.
Good luck,
@SochanJeremy
- we all rooting for you!
Spent half the day on calls to various people from within basketball to discuss an upcoming documentary project...goosebumps multiple times; our gameβs history is SO rich, so many untold stories that need to be shared and documented. π₯π¬π§π
Took this photo in Manchester at the Academy finals because it struck me - 9 content creators on one baseline, with at least another 4 on the other end.
I remember the years the baselines used to be a lonely placeβ¦
The eco-system looking HEALTHY right now. Love to see it.
Finalising a pitch deck asking for Β£200,000 in sponsorship/partnership money.
Yeah, it sounds ridiculous to me as well, but I always say it - British basketball is plagued by small time thinking.
Iβm not gonna be part of that.
#Tweet100
Week 1 of
@Hoopsfix
Pro-Am done βοΈ
Standing room only as a number of the UKβs best players suited up - over 600 people have registered to watch since we opened up tickets on Weds! Mad.
Hearing 15 year olds say they aspire to play in it one day makes it all worth it π
#NBALondon
is such a great opportunity to tap into the British NBA fan base and showcase/get them interested in the domestic game. If all the fans in the UK who loved the NBA started following GB/domestic leagues, the market size would at *least* double (quadruple?) overnight.
Would love to see
@bballengland
implement a function on the website to find βgames close to youβ - input your postcode and get a list of all NBL games at all age groups in your area. Iβm prob a minority user-case for that, but could also see it encouraging more spectators. π€π
One thing I've learned this summer: as a country we need a dedicated and concerted, drive for female basketball in the UK.
Male basketball has its problems for sure, but they pale in comparison to the girls game - the disparity is huge.
Started the summer right.
S/O to all the people who made this happen - you know who you are - packed out the Palace once again while raising money for the
@Hoopsfix
Foundation. β€οΈ
Big love to
@Jumpman23
for helping us up the levels,
@moltensports
&
@Sportserve_Ltd
.
#HASC23
.
@Hoopsfix
Summer Jam - doneβ
10 teams in the 5-on-5 Clapham Common Cup, 24 players in the 1-on-1 King/Queen of the Trenches comp, and a few hundred spectators packing out the bleachers.
Perfect way to finish the summer, on the court that we built!
Summer 2022 has been epic.
Aaaand three years later, job done.
I think we've raised the bar for what an outdoor basketball court should/could be in the UK and I sincerely hope it inspires others to take on their own projects locally.
Birmingham up next...π
#Tweet100
Bleacher seating for 250 & team benches installed. βοΈ
The Clapham Common Basketball Courts renovation is complete! π¬π§π
Big shout out to
@FootLockerEU
,
@bballengland
,
@NBAEurope
&
@lambeth_council
for getting us over the line! π
People laughing/firing shots/seemingly taking pleasure in a BBL franchise being on the verge of folding is symptomatic of the toxic mindset that holds our sport back.
#BritishBasketball
A basketball court for residents only at a new luxury apartment block in Manchester -
@DeansgateSquare
I wonder how many other private courts there are around the country that are not common knowledge...
It will always be a basketball game and not a 'match' to me.
Referring to it as a match is always a signal someone is outside of the culture (and likely more into football).
I don't know who needs to hear this (well, a lot of you after the last 5 weeks lol) but it's pronounced Pro-Am like fam not Pro-A-M as if we out here in the morning...
Pro-Am stands for professional-amateur, and is a sporting event where pros play with and against amateurs.
Order just placed for all the stuff we need for a professional level podcast studio set-up, as weβre converting a room on the top floor of my building and adding video. Itβs going to take the
@Hoopsfix
podcast (& YouTube) to a new level. π₯ππ₯
Would love to have seen the BBL make more hype about the Cameron Hildreth signing and his debut.
League still has long way to go to make their marketing efforts more player-centred and narrative based.
Golden opportunity with Cam.
#BritishBasketball
One of my favourite things about basketball events in the UK? Seeing so many familiar faces and catching up with people - the
#Britishbasketball
community is small but tight-knit β€οΈπ¬π§π
Riders do the best job in the league of making Leicester a desirable place to play.
Touches like this make huge difference - ofc, it's a lot easier when you have own facility - but 100% what every team should be aspiring to.
It looks, dare I say it, professional?
#Tweet100
Honoured have been featured on
@SkySportsNBA
covering the Clapham Court renovation - getting this project done has defo been a career highlight so far!
Can confirm the seating (for 250!) is now installed - a literal game changer for us - next summer gonna be wild.
#Tweet100
What is there not to love about the
@LondonLions
performance tonight?!
Historic, and done with a core of British stars.
Shows what is possible.
Congrats
@clarkabbey
& squad π
#Tweet100
Pumped to get this one over the line with my brother
@daniel_arroniz
- massive thank you to
@NBAUK
for the opportunity!
Will be in Utah from tomorrow for the premiere - anyone at
#NBAAllStar
that wants to connect, DM!
π¬π§π₯ Weβre proud to announce that βGot Nextβ a Hoopsfix short documentary film will debut at an exclusive red-carpet event this Friday in Salt Lake City, Utah as part of
#NBAAllStar
2023.
It will be available exclusively on the NBA App beginning February 20th π²
@NBAUK
TikTok is making a push for a bigger British basketball presence - had an interesting call with their sports partnership manager recently who said theyβre surprised by how much basketball content is coming out of U.K. accounts.
Expect to see teams/federations doing more there.
Aiming to have the 2019 edition of the
@Hoopsfix
All-Star Classic locked in by end of January, with date/venue announced and tix on sale in Feb. Feel like if I can be a little more organised/advanced with it, can really take it to new levels this year. Lotta ideas. π¬π§π
#HASC19
This is what a British team heading into Europe should look like.
If teams have the budget, first port of call should be bringing British stars in.
Massive credit to
@clarkabbey
for his roster make up. π
Clapham Common seating installation has been completed & fencing removed (finally!)
7:30am visit tomorrow for some sunrise drone shots (we pray for clear and colourful skies!) and then consider the project signed, sealed & delivered in full! β
Document everything.
#Tweet100
Lower bowl of Copper Box pretty much full - approx 3k people - for
@LondonLions
' Wednesday night
@FIBAEuropeCup
game.
Digital boards across 3 sides of the court, impressive lighting for intros, announcers, DJ booth, entertainment, use of big screens.
Progress being made.
Always knew we had a shot w/
@lloydgar
,
@JacksonGibbons9
,
@Guymon9
&
@p_analystsewell
as staff; cannot say enough good things about their professionalism & approach.
Saw all the comments after defeat to MSU on Mon...trusted the process & got it done.
One for the history books.
Would like to see the BBL prevent any scheduling of games during the international window.
All focus should be on GB through this week - take a collective approach, get all eyeballs and resource in the same place and back the national teams.
#Tweet100
It gives me goosebumps to truly reflect on it, but I am so humbled by the outpouring of support every single year. It is why, despite all of our frustrations with it, I love British basketball. And have got no intention to stop with
@Hoopsfix
any time soon. I love you all β₯οΈ
@LondonLions
Not enough characters for this lol...look at investing a proportionate amount of your playing budget on marketing for a start. Attendance at the Copper Box today was not a good look.
And stop treating the WBBL squad as an afterthought - they are contextually better than the men.
Looking forward to welcoming 1500+ people to the Palace on Sunday!
I do question every year if it's worth it, but it's the support from the entire community getting behind the event that reminds me of why we do it.
Roll on another year πΌ
Finally received my French passport yesterday, so now officially a dual passport holder - Brexit-proofing my ass to retain freedom of movement...weird to be on the other side of the coin on passport chasing issues (where it normally relates to British basketball) lol π«π·π¬π§π₯³
When dressing a venue, I think about it in terms of how can I ensure that any photo/video taken in there - whether by our content team or attendees - makes it clear what event they are at.
No angle left untouched.
#HASC21
venue before & after π
#Tweet100
Every year, without fail, the Classic would come around & I would get a message from Andrea asking what can she do to help.
She was as selfless of a person as I've ever met - EVERY single event in London, she'd be there, offering up her services for the good of the game.
β₯οΈ
It is hard to to put into words just what an impact Coach Andrea has had on British basketball.
Gone, but never, ever, forgotten.
RIP
@andrea23baller
πβ€οΈπ
The BBF axing the U20s next summer - and how it has been done - is symptomatic of the wider problem of a complete disconnect between the federations & bball community on the ground.
There are plenty of ways to have raised the money - if the federations had engaged.
#Tweet100
Still have to pinch myself a bit that this is actually happening!
Been a long old slog to get it across the line, including 9 months waiting for Secretary of State approval!
Really think it's gonna be a huge addition for London hoops - bleacher seating is a major π
#Tweet100
π It has taken 3 years to get to this point, but our renovation of Clapham Common basketball courts has officially begun!
Big S/O to our partners
@footlockereu
,
@nbaeurope
&
@bballengland
for helping make it happen! π¬π§π
Follow on IG β‘οΈ
IMO this is one of the types of content
#BritishBasketball
needs more of - funny/meme stuff - but I suspect people are too sensitive...weβll see how it goes.
British basketball could benefit SO much from a show like 'Inside the NBA'. Issues would be finding personalities like Chuck/Ernie etc that know the game well enough, & dealing with players getting butthurt about opinions. Would be freakin' awesome though. π¬π§ππΊ
Been wanting to get this one off the ground for years!
Standing on the shoulders of giants - s/o to all those who have inspired; Hosana, Rough & Ready, Midnight Madness, London Pro-Am, London Summer League & The Pro Classic π
Absolutely convinced that if
#BritishBasketball
actually got the level of media coverage everyone says they want, people would fully lose their shit. Players, teams, organisations etc would not be able to handle that level of scrutiny. Can you imagine? Lol.
First ever intern from the US (University of North Carolina) joining us at
@Hoopsfix
for next few months, looking forward to moving the needle on a few big projects. Welcome to the team, Matt! π¬π§ π
.
@Tosan_Evb
makes his official NBA debut with 16 minutes last night, scoring his first points in the big league! ππ¬π§π
16 minutes
3 points
1/2 FG
1 rebound
1 assist
To sell tickets to a basketball game in the UK, you actually have to actively try to sell tickets.
Not a situation where you can just announce tickets are on sale and expect people to buy.
Hand-to-hand combat required - at this point, doing things that don't scale.
#Tweet100
I am regularly surprised by how many well-positioned people there are in various companies across the UK that have some type of connection to basketball and are now completely disconnected from the game but would love to help.
Itβs been a mad journey over the last decade involved with
@RidersBball
.
Thankful & proud of the hours put in alongside some awesome people to move things forwards.
Next up...
@chicagobulls
! Hyped & grateful for the opportunity to now join some crazy talented people!
#smsports
Hard to understate just how huge this is for the game here, compounded by how much of an advocate for the British game Jeremy is.
The NBA has pull like nothing else - hopefully this can be a huge driver of future growth/change in the sport!
Massive, massive congrats to him.
The
@Hoopsfix
account officially joined Twitter 12 years ago today...what a madness, how far things have come.
I remember writing an article for Fadeaway magazine on the must follow British basketball accounts and struggling to find 10 that even existed.
This is big time - in large part because UK Sport are moving away from 'no compromise', medal-hopes only approach. Now let's hope GB/home nations can get acts together; sort out political differences, move towards self sustainability and whatever is in best interest of THE SPORT.
I maintain the EABL & WEABL are the most (potentially) valuable assets BE have.
I will also say - from the outside looking in - it makes me incredibly sad what they have become.
Years ago, it wasn't perfect, but it really felt we were going somewhere with it.
Turning daydreams into reality. Step by step, brick by brick, we're building.
It took 3 years and has been a whole lot of work, but zero regrets looking at the outcome - and it's not done yet, seating still to be installed!
Everything starts as just a thought...
#Tweet100
Had my first full
@BristolFlyers
Flyers TV experience last night - super impressed.
It should be the standard for all BBL streams - pro production, multi-cam, interviews, replays, comms, halftime video packages (loved the player β5 essentialsβ features), & sponsor integration
While 1000+ raving Hapoel fans were going nuts, we had a Lions rules of the game video being played on the jumbotron, informing people such things as no more than 5 players allowed on the floor at once.
Not sure it helps the external perception of British basketball too much.
The BBL's Instagram account is the most glaring example of how out of touch the league is - zero hope of building any type of fan engagement, especially with a younger audience.
An entire overhaul of digital strategy is needed.
#Tweet100
The best bang for your buck advertising you can get in British basketball: hire a venue for an event, and put stickers on the backboards. They will never be removed, appearing on every photo/video from that venue for the rest of eternity π
πAkatlar Spor Kompleksi, Istanbul, Turkey.
3200 capacity, beautiful set up.
Complete with hospitality boxes, media/press conference room, courtside VIP, control room, broadcast platform, cafe/bar, museum of Besiktasβ history & more.
Could do with a few of these in the U.K.!
We're exploring the idea of running some type of business of basketball conference w/ intention of growing the game, skill sharing, & connecting people.
Any particular topics/speakers or things that you would want to see that would make you want to attend?
Me and
@BradHoopsfix
taking a day trip to Turkey next week to document history - land at midday in Istanbul, return to London 5am - strictly business, lfg π» βοΈ
THE EUROCUP FINALS SCHEDULE ππ
This is a historic moment for British Basketball, and tickets for the second leg at
@CopperBoxArena
are on sale now! ‡οΈ
βοΈπΉπ· Game 1: Wednesday 3rd April - BeΕiktaΕ
π‘π¦ Game 2: Wednesday 10th April -
@CopperBoxArena
#WeAreLondon
Game day presentation turned up a notch for London Lionsβ games today; they have just hired a game night co-ordinator/floor manager.
New wood floor they purchased in recent weeks laid, spotlights, DJ/sound system, crowd on one side etc.
Makes all the difference.
#Tweet100
If only there was a sport that:
1) Has the highest percentage of participants from low socio-economic backgrounds
2) Has the highest percentage of participants from ethnic minorities
3) Is drastically underfunded
There's an easy win here...
#Tweet100
There is no-one in the country that brings more energy every single game than
@sean_nealon15
- absolute asset to any team heβs a part of, regardless if heβs on the bench or on the floor. Joy to watch.
#BritishBasketball
This is a huge move.
When have we ever had a high major D1 prospect/generational talent opt to play in the UK as opposed to the US?
Massive opportunity for the game here.