Flawless Hoops founder using basketball to ‘pave the way for kids who don’t have opportunities’

SHEBOYGAN Avid basketball enthusiast Adrian Hines, 10, dreams of playing in the NBA.He engages in the sport daily, either watching the Milwaukee Bucks, especially his favorite player Giannis Antetokounmpo, or playing on the court with the Sheboygan South High School Junior Redwings or Flawless Hoops, a nonprofit organization offering mentoring, training and athletic development opportunities.

Adrian began training with Cedric Foster, founder and executive director of Flawless Hoops, two years ago.

Foster helped him improve his dribbling and learn how to do a step back shot.Through Foster's mentorship, Veronica Hines said she saw her son develop confidence and manage difficult emotions during moments in the game, like missing a basket.

We, as parents, sometimes try to say things, and they (kids) don't really understand it, or get it from our point of view, Veronica said.

But sometimes having someone like Cedric, who is there to teach them and guide them, they understand it and listen to him.

They feel hes supportive of them.

Foster founded Flawless Hoops in 2020.

The nonprofit began with 60 members in its first men's basketball league but has since ballooned to nearly 820 members.

It hosts mens and coed youth leagues, three-on-three tournaments, and offers personal training and open gyms.

The organization also emphasizes youth mentorship, personal growth and leadership.

Finding a passion and positive motivator in basketball growing up in Chicago, Foster wanted to provide youth and young people with similar opportunities to play basketball, improve skills and pursue personal growth.

And keep programming affordable.

The open gym fees range from $2 to $5, and one-hour training sessions range from $20 to $30 depending on the age group.

With 10 players per team, fees were recently $350 for youth league teams and $850 for mens league teams.

The fees cover the costs of uniforms, trophies and championship rings.

I want to pave the way for kids who don't have opportunities, Foster said.

Foster began playing basketball in sixth grade, but he remembers asking people if he could shovel snow and push carts to their cars even to get $1 as early as 8 years old to help his mom support him and his three siblings.

She worked minimum wage and put in long hours as a certified nursing assistant.

Having a sense of responsibility at a young age drove his mission to start Flawless Hoops.

This meant showing up for youth in the area and creating a space where young adults could continue to play basketball after graduating high school, even if they may not attend college or play at the collegiate level.

Equally important is providing support and preparation for college or careers through internships, tutoring and mentorship.

Foster studied business administration at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus, worked at Rockline and now is employed at Johnsonville, which has been a chief sponsor of Flawless Hoops.

"Where I come from, you get no opportunities, Foster said.

I never thought I'd be where I'm at today.

Ian Lund, a parent of two sons who participated in youth training and a new board member, said he didnt hesitate when Foster asked him to be a coach for one of the youth teams.

Hes coached for various sports with the countys recreation department and likes to guide youth learning how to play the sport but also learning to be respectful and play as a team.

Flawless Hoops hopes to grow programs and build a permanent homeFlawless Hoops utilizes the St.

Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School gym, 814 Superior Ave., but Foster is determined to build Flawless Hoops a permanent home.

The organization was pursuing plans for a facility in the town of Sheboygan, at the corner of Vanguard Drive and County J on a piece of land donated by Johnsonville, but a partnership with the town was fleeting.

Foster said Flawless Hoops is exploring opportunities with the city of Sheboygan.

Sheboygan named in new insurance ad: To what trivia question did Caitlin Clark correctly answer 'Sheboygan' in State Farm ad?A larger space could accommodate more programming and larger tournaments.

Recently, Flawless Hoops welcomed WNBA player Natisha Hiedeman at a youth game, hosted an inaugural Sheboygan County High School All-Star Game for the top 16 senior boys' basketball players, and youth players participated in a scrimmage at a Wisconsin Herd game at the end of March.

The organization has also hosted and participated in community events, like the citys Fourth of July parade, the Juneteenth celebration and a carnival fundraiser.

Its also supported students in need with bookbags filled with school supplies.

Upcoming events include a brat fry, 3-on-3 tournamentsFlawless Hoops will host a brat fry for veterans and other individuals in need from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

May 31 at the City Green, 710 New York Ave.

Flawless Hoops will host its first three-on-three coed tournaments for age groups 10-11 and 12-13 as well as three-on-three tournaments for age groups 14-17 and 18 and older.

Entry costs range from $100 to $150 per team.The coed youth three-on-three tournament will be July 26-27, and the teen and adult three-on-three tournaments will be Aug.

2-3.Contact Flawless Hoops at [email protected] and learn more at flawlesshoops.org.

Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or [email protected] article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan Flawless Hoops offers basketball leagues, youth mentorship.

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