From day one, athletes are seen, cared for, and not alone
Welcome Home Boxes for International Basketball Players
International high school and college basketball players arriving in the United States without their parents often step into a new life with little more than a suitcase and uncertainty.
Welcome Home Boxes are care packages that provide practical essentials and an immediate sense of belonging — a tangible reminder that someone is in their corner from the very first day.
More Than a Care Package
Welcome Home Boxes are not just supplies. They are a lifeline — the first moment an athlete realizes they are known, supported, and connected to something bigger than themselves.
Each box includes essentials for transition, comfort items, and a clear pathway to mentorship, housing support, and advocacy when they need it most.
You just arrived. You're far from home. And someone already cares.
What’s in a Welcome Home Box
ESSENTIALS FOR ARRIVAL
Practical items athletes need immediately — snacks, toiletries, socks, a blanket, a stocking cap, lip balm, and food gift cards.
These basics help athletes settle in without scrambling for necessities in an unfamiliar place.
HOOPSHOME GEAR & CONNECTION
HoopsHome T-shirt or gear so athletes know they belong to a supportive network — and a welcome packet with key information, contact details, and how to reach HoopsHome anytime.
This isn't just swag. It's proof that they have backup.
A CLEAR SUPPORT PATHWAY
Every Welcome Home Box includes clear instructions on accessing HoopsHome housing, mentorship, emergency support, and athlete protection resources.
Athletes don't have to figure out who to call or where to turn — the information is right there from day one.
Who Receives a
Welcome Home Box
Athletes Arriving Far From Home
Welcome Home Boxes are provided to international high school and college basketball players (ages 14–22) arriving in the United States without their parents.
Athletes are typically referred by coaches, schools, or HoopsHome's existing network — and boxes are sent as soon as we're notified of an athlete's arrival.
Whether an athlete is starting their first semester at a new school, transferring mid-season, or arriving for a training program, a Welcome Home Box helps them feel supported from the moment they land.
Welcome Home
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Athletes are usually referred by coaches, school staff, or other athletes connected to HoopsHome. Once we're notified of an athlete's arrival, we coordinate delivery of the Welcome Home Box.
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Each box includes snacks, toiletries, socks, a blanket, a stocking cap, lip balm, food gift cards, HoopsHome gear, and a welcome packet with contact information and resources. Contents may vary based on availability and the athlete's specific needs.
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Welcome Home Boxes are made possible through donations and community support. You can contribute financially, donate specific items, or help sponsor boxes for arriving athletes. Learn how to support this program.
No athlete should arrive in a new country feeling invisible. From day one, HoopsHome is here — and every box is a reminder of that.
Help Us Keep the Door Open
HoopsHome Housing is only possible because of people like you — those who believe international athletes deserve safety, stability, and a true sense of home while living far from family.
Whether you're interested in becoming a host family, supporting our mission, or learning more about how you can help, there's a place for you in this protective network.