During his childhood, Rocky Rodriguez said he had fewer opportunities than others.
“I have just seen a lot of bad negativity. As I have grown up, knowing it is not changing, it one day clicked in my head to make a change not only for the kids but the community around,” said Rodriguez, founder of Visionaries Basketball.
He started Visionaries Basketball, an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team that is also a nonprofit organization dedicated to “educate, develop and empower today’s youth,” according to the contract players sign when they join the team.
This contract upholds players to high standards they must commit to, including community service, maintaining their grades and staying out of trouble.
If they do not adhere to the contract, they lose the opportunity to play until they do, said Rodriguez.
“It is just helping the kids out. It is getting our youth community to develop themselves as men instead of boys,” said Rodriguez.
“They know what we are looking for. They’ve agreed to it, so they are willing to let us hold them to those standards,” said Marshall Thornhill, head coach of Visionaries Basketball.
Off the court, the team volunteers in the community and does fundraisers to keep the program free.
“We do a lot of fun stuff that will help us bond as a team,” said Christian Canto, a shooting guard for Visionaries Basketball.
“Last weekend we went bowling. We will do some community service, help the homeless,” said T-Andre Scott, a center for Visionaries Basketball.
The program is free for the players, enabling underprivileged youth more opportunity.
“We are looking for players that may not otherwise get an opportunity to play because they cannot afford it or do not have a ride to practice or just do not have a pair of shoes,” said Thornhill.
Visionaries Basketball also intends to provide all its players with scholarships for their futures. They contribute portions of their fundraisers and donations to these efforts.
If you would like to learn more about the program or make a donation, go to www.visionariesbasketball.org.
