How Did We Get Here?

Xavier, a coach in Africa, and HoopsHome’s founder, Megan, stayed connected through their shared love of the game and their passion for helping young athletes grow. One day, Xavier asked Megan a simple but life-changing question:

"One of my athletes, Lawrence, just moved to the U.S. for high school and basketball. Can I give him your number so he has someone trustworthy to call?"

Lawrence, a young athlete from Zimbabwe, had just arrived in the United States. When he first spoke with Megan, she could hear the relief in his voice. For the first time since arriving, he knew he had someone he could trust—someone he could call if he needed help. He no longer felt completely alone.

Soon, Lawrence introduced Megan to two more athletes navigating similar challenges. One connection became three. Three became five. And before long, a vision began to take shape.

HoopsHome grew organically—through WhatsApp messages, FaceTime calls, translation apps, and, eventually, in-person visits, community gatherings, home stays, and warm hugs of care and acceptance.

Imagine arriving in a new country with nothing but the clothes on your back, chasing a dream of education and basketball. The loneliness can be overwhelming.

NBA Hall-of-Fame Dikembe Mutombo—who came to the United States at age 21 speaking no English and knowing no one—captured this experience perfectly:

“Home is not a word I say lightly. When I first came to America as a student, I had nothing. Finding a home away from home was the most important thing to me—even more important than basketball. From the first day I arrived, so many people went out of their way to make me feel at home. At that moment, I felt like I was not lost in the middle of the forest. I will never forget them.”

At HoopsHome, we believe a sense of home is life-changing.

For these young athletes, connection creates opportunity—not only for themselves, but for their families and communities for generations to come. In today’s world, a single phone call or message can lead to a shared meal, a meaningful relationship, and trust built across languages, cultures, and continents.

In many ways, the future of these athletes began with one phone call—multiplied.

These young people are offered life-changing access to education in exchange for their athletic talent. But their needs go far beyond school, room, and board.

They need advocacy.
They need protection.
They need belonging.

Most of all, they need a home away from home.