Mitchell Mortaza’s Post

🧿 Why the USBC falls under the USBN’s mission 💫 The United States Basketball Network (USBN) primarily aims to promote and enhance the visibility of professional basketball in the United States that is not part of the NBA. Our mission typically revolves around these key objectives: 1. **Promotion of Basketball**: USBN seeks to promote basketball past the collegiate level and outside the NBA level or overseas clubs. The biggest example of this is the United States Basketball Championship (USBC), a way to showcase the top teams and players. 2. **Development of Talent**: The network supports initiatives aimed at developing basketball talent across the country, fostering grassroots programs, and providing exposure to future pros while continuing to develop players past the collegiate level. 3. **Media Coverage and Broadcasting**: USBN focuses on broadcasting basketball games, providing extensive coverage of games, tournaments, and events related to professional basketball in the United States. 4. **Fan Engagement**: USBN strives to engage basketball fans through various platforms, offering news, analysis, interviews, and interactive content related to the sport. 5. **Support for Basketball Culture**: USBN supports and celebrates the culture surrounding basketball in the United States, including its impact on communities, education, and lifestyle. Overall, USBN plays a crucial role in promoting, developing, and celebrating basketball within the United States through comprehensive media coverage and engagement initiatives. Set your TVs, dates, and be ready for the 2024 USBC! #USBN #2024USBC #usabasketball #champion #championship

Title: "The Thrilling Dynamics of Basketball: A Game Beyond the Court" Basketball, a sport that transcends boundaries and captures the hearts of millions, is more than just a game played on a rectangular court. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global phenomenon, basketball has evolved into a cultural and social force that extends far beyond the confines of the hardwood. ### The Origins: Basketball's inception in December 1891 by Dr. James Naismith marked the birth of a sport that would soon captivate the world. Originally designed as a winter activity to keep his students active, Naismith's creation quickly gained popularity due to its fast-paced nature and simplicity. ### The Essence of the Game: At its core, basketball is a game of strategy, teamwork, and skill. The sound of sneakers squeaking on the court, the rhythmic bounce of the ball, and the swish of the net are all integral elements that contribute to the unique and immersive experience of the sport. ### Global Impact: Basketball has transcended geographical and cultural boundaries, becoming a global spectacle with the NBA (National Basketball Association) serving as its flagship. The league's international appeal has turned basketball into a universal language, uniting fans from diverse backgrounds. ### The Cultural Phenomenon: Beyond the court, basketball has seeped into popular culture, influencing music, fashion, and lifestyle. Iconic players like Michael Jordan and LeBron James have become cultural icons, showcasing the sport's ability to inspire and shape trends beyond athletic arenas. ### Team Dynamics: The essence of basketball lies in the synergy between teammates. The teamwork required to execute flawless plays, the strategic maneuvers to outsmart opponents, and the unspoken understanding among players create a dynamic that goes beyond the scoreboard. ### Evolution of Playing Styles: Basketball has witnessed an evolution in playing styles over the decades. From the dominant big men of the past to the rise of three-point shooters in the modern era, the sport's adaptability and constant innovation keep fans on the edge of their seats. ### Impact on Youth and Community: Basketball's accessibility makes it a catalyst for positive change in communities worldwide. Youth programs and community leagues provide a platform for personal growth, fostering discipline, leadership, and camaraderie among participants. In conclusion, basketball is more than just a game; it's a cultural phenomenon that weaves its way into the fabric of society. From the community courts to the grand stages of international leagues, basketball's impact resonates far beyond the final buzzer, leaving an indelible mark on the world. #snsinstitutions #snsdesignthinking #designthinkers

Great article on the promise of a more accessible and level basketball playing field in the GTA and beyond. Good works Chris (and thanks for the share Marika)!

Women's basketball is gaining popularity and appeal in the UK for several reasons during the 2023/24 season: 👉 Rising Competitiveness The WBBL (Women's British Basketball League) standings for 2023/24 show a tight race among top teams like London Lions, Leicester Riders, Caledonia Gladiators, and Sheffield Hatters, indicating a highly competitive league. A closely contested league with multiple title contenders generates more excitement and interest. 👉 Increased Media Coverage Major basketball competitions like the WBBL are receiving more media attention and coverage from broadcasters and sports networks, helping raise the profile of women's basketball in the UK. Greater visibility attracts more fans and sponsors. 👉 Successful National Team Performances The success of the UK national women's basketball team in international competitions can inspire more interest in the domestic league. Strong performances by the national team elevate the sport's popularity. 👉 Growth of Grassroots Programs Basketball England and other organizations are investing in grassroots development programs to nurture young talent and grow participation at the youth level. This lays the foundation for a stronger pipeline of players into the professional ranks. 👉 Increasing Corporate Support As the WBBL gains traction, more corporate sponsors and partners are getting involved, providing financial support and resources to promote the league and its teams. This increased investment enhances the overall product and fan experience. With a competitive league, rising media attention, successful national team showings, grassroots development initiatives, and growing corporate backing, women's basketball in the UK is becoming more appealing and gaining momentum during the 2023/24 season. #WBBL #basketball #womensbasketball

A 14 yr old tells us the problems in US Soccer 👇 What can we learn from a child that wants to ‘play freely’ that is told they can’t and must listen to their coaches idea of the game? Like most things in life it is all about finding balance. However, a common thing I see is that the game has became more about the coaches ego than it has about the players at youth level. Street soccer is not only acknowledged by a large majority of the greatest players of all time as the best way to learn but it is also the most fun. The great players are telling us it is the absence of the coach that is the secret ingredient to becoming great. The young players tell us it’s not fun when they hit 14 (75%). There is a new “cookie cutter cone drill culture” that is emerging in the US and we know it can make players better in a certain way but it is coaching everything that is unique out of them and will be one of the main reasons the US will continue to not develop creative players. Christian Pulisic is building street soccer fields around the US “to give players the opportunity to play without a coach.” Pulisic references his years spent in England when he was 7 years old as the reason he is the player he is. He describes his exposure to street football and how it changed him. Interesting? Modern street soccer needs to be based on the three tenets of: • Individuality • Flexibilty • Digitization How can we can change culture? I believe by bringing digital content of great players and deploying a street soccer approach into the coaching environment at scale would create a generation of magical individualistic players in the US. What do you think? Written and produced by myself as part of Global Street Soccer. #YouthSoccer ❤️⚽️🇺🇸

Check out the new blog post. Chapter 5: The Impact of Collaboration in Sports: Who Loses When Select and High School Teams Collide. https://wp.me/pfKs7X-O

March Madness was at a crossroads Why it matters: To expand or not to expand the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments past 68 teams is the big question facing the organization. The answers revolve around not only student-athlete experience and money, but also accessibility. The NCAA's Division I transformation committee is taking aim at eventually including 25% of eligible teams in sanctioned tournaments, but when -- or if -- that will be implemented remains to be seen. Currently, less than 20% of basketball programs end up being invited to participate. Not only that, but which teams would get into an expanded tournament field? Would it be squads from smaller schools, or middling programs in larger conferences? Right now, there are more questions than answers, and it seems to be about as complicated as picking a perfect bracket. 

Flag Football Expanding Nationwide as Next Emerging High School Sport for Girls - By Dr. Karissa Niehoff on April 10, 2024 https://lnkd.in/eeqFMcjh This article discusses the rapid growth and increasing popularity of flag football as an emerging high school sport for girls in the United States. Here's a summary of the key points: 1. Following the 50th anniversary of Title IX, which greatly expanded girls' participation in sports, flag football is now seen as the next major opportunity for growth. 2. Currently, nine states have sanctioned flag football for girls, with two more expected to do so soon, and 17 others running pilot programs. 3. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is considering publishing national playing rules for flag football due to its growing popularity. 4. Flag football is praised for its inclusivity, low cost, reduced injury risk compared to tackle football, and flexibility in terms of when it can be played. 5. Several states, including Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Alabama, Arizona, New York, Illinois, and California, have either established championships or are in the process of sanctioning the sport. 6. The sport is gaining support from professional NFL teams and organizations like USA Football. 7. Participation in girls' flag football has increased significantly at the youth level, with a 63% increase since 2019 for girls aged 6-17. 8. The inclusion of flag football as an Olympic sport for the 2028 Los Angeles Games is expected to further boost its popularity. 9. The NFHS is looking forward to being involved in the continued growth of flag football nationwide, particularly in formulating playing rules as the sport expands to all 50 states.

Here is a fantastic article by Christopher Penrose on basketball accessibility, published this week by Sport Information Resource Centre - Le Centre de documentation pour le sport (SIRC). He covers all the angles: why basketball matters, the national context, the issues, what needs to change, and Lay-Up's inspiring programming model. Big up yourselves Lay-Up!

LETS TALK FOOTBALL: 🔄⚽ The Case for Promotion and Relegation in U.S. Soccer These points are nothing new, but to continue to improve our system in America we need more conversations to get the ball rolling. If we want to compete with the best we need a pro-rel system! Here’s why! 🌐 Competition: Introducing a promotion and relegation system injects a new dimension of diversity into American soccer, offering teams at all levels the chance to climb the ladder based on skill. 🚀 Club Development: Lower-tier clubs stand to benefit significantly, as the ability to gain promotion fuels ambition, attracting investment, and creating sustainable growth within local communities. 🏆 Meritocracy: Shifting away from a closed system towards one that rewards performance creates a true sporting meritocracy. This approach ensures that success on the field translates directly to advancement. 🌱 Youth Development: A tiered structure encourages investment in youth academies as clubs aim to improve talent from within. This not only strengthens the players but also contributes to the overall development of soccer at grassroots levels. 🌍 Global Integration: Aligning with the global norm of promotion and relegation aligns the U.S. with international soccer standards. This integration can elevate the reputation of American soccer on the global stage, attracting talent and interest from around the world. 🔍 Fan Engagement: The unpredictability introduced by promotion and relegation adds an element of excitement for fans. Every match matters, creating a narrative that captivates audiences and strengthens the emotional connection between fans and their clubs. ⚖️ Economic Sustainability: A tiered system offers a safety net for struggling clubs, preventing financial distress. Relegation becomes a temporary setback rather than a catastrophic event, fostering long-term economic sustainability. 🌟 Overall Growth: The adoption of promotion and relegation isn't just a shift in structure; it's a strategic move towards a more competitive, vibrant, and sustainable soccer system. It's time to spark a new era of growth in U.S. soccer. ⚽📈 #SoccerTransformation #PromotionRelegationRevolution #USFootballFuture