HOOPWAVE was established in 2009 with the influence of two gangs who tormented each other in the streets of Hartford, CT. Dean Jones and a group of concerned men organized a safe place for the gangs to meet, at Shiloh Baptist Church. The meeting paved the way for the birth of a basketball movement called HOOPWAVE (HOPE, OPPORTUNITY, OBEDIENCE = Pride). This basketball movement created programming and activities to help gang members channel their differences into meaningful interactions with each other, while also providing recreational activities for boys and girls city-wide. Some of the activities held are; City Wide Summer Tournaments, Winter Rec Leagues, yearly basketball clinics, Mentorship and Advocacy for Youth, and a travel AAU TEAM name HOOPWAVE. HOOPWAVE for the last 5 years put on a VETERANS DAY SHOWCASE Classic honoring Past and Current Vets. The Showcase Classic highlights a 120 youth athletes and is played in the Hartford Community. Over 2,000 youths have been blessed to participate in the HOOPWAVE sports program. Student Athletes have gone on to graduate from High Schools to play for College Preparatory Schools in their Post Year, Juco, D3, D2, and D1 colleges and universities.

Everyday that we program and serve the community is a gift to acknowledge. HOOPWAVE is grateful to our community and to our supporters for making Hope, Opportunity, and Obedience the cornerstones for the work we do.