Above The Rim’s A.T.R. Project Takes Kids To College Hoops Games


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From our friends at Above The Rim, who are doing great work providing NYC-based youth basketball players with some awesome experiences:

Above the Rim’s A.T.R. Project was in full swing the past couple of weeks. The brand hooked up its three A.T.R. Project ambassadors and their young basketball players with a college hoops game experience in their respective cities as a reward for good academic performance. Will Kelly and his NYC-based Hoops By The River team traveled to Queens to watch St. Johns take on South Carolina on Nov. 29. Tavio Hobson’s A+Plus group in Seattle checked out University of Washington matchup again Cal St. Fullerton on Dec. 2. And LA-based Chuck Torres and Better Through Basketball kids hit up the USC game against Minnesota last week. All participants were treated to a group meal, free ATR gear and prime seats for the Division 1 games. For many kids, the A.T.R. Project visit marked their first college game day experience.

ATR’s brand manager Cesar Vizcarrondo recalls young Ramon Puentes of the Better Through Basketball program being in awe of the USC team. “He was in disbelief of how big and fast the players were,” Vizcarrondo said. “Ramon turned to me and said, ‘I know now that I gotta work really hard now to play in college.’ It’s moments like that define the A.T.R. Project.”

Founded in 2010, the A.T.R. Project is a youth leadership and development program. The Project supports local leaders who help show young players how to take their passion, drive and dedication for the game and apply those skills to other areas of their lives – including education and community service. Read more about the Project and the three ambassadors here.