USF E-Hoops (Exceptional Hoops) is a USF partnered program with E-Hoops that focuses on building companionship between neurodivergent and neurotypical children through the sport of basketball. With the help of volunteer coaches, mentors and student-athletes, children learn to build relationships and friendships by working together and completing basic fundamental drills.
“That’s the inclusion part that we are deeply focused on and passionate about,” USF E-Hoops director Ray Kim said. “It’s helping neurotypical as well as neurodiverse kids grow together, build friendships together, and then that way later on in life, they build these lifelong, lasting friendships where they can actually help empower each other.”
E-Hoops is under the umbrella of the E-Sports organization, which offers locations around the Bay Area for children to participate in other sports, such as soccer, karate, dance and fitness. Their partnership with USF is in its 11th year.
According to Kim, who has been the USF E-Hoops director throughout its entirety, the age range of children spans from as young as three years old to highschoolers, with most from San Francisco and Daly City.
“The thing that makes this great is it’s not a program just about the neurodiverse, it’s actually equally as much about the neurotypical individuals,” Kim said. “That’s what makes real true inclusion when you have both [of them] together, whereas other programs you hear are primarily only neurodiverse.”
During a standard session, which is held in the War Memorial Gym, kids partake in performing basic fundamental drills, in an effort to develop their gross and fine motor skills. Drills include dribbling, shooting, passing, defensive slides and other games such as “red light green light.”
Throughout many sessions of the season, members of the men’s and women’s basketball teams have come to volunteer and help motivate and inspire the children.
“It was a great experience. […] It always just fills me with joy, seeing [the children] smile, having fun and all that stuff, learning new things. I think that’s what it’s all about,” junior forward of the men’s basketball team David Fuchs said, who attended a session earlier in the season. “I love that USF is doing this. It’s a great thing to do, to give back to the community, especially the community that has been giving us so much love. So I think it’s the right thing to do, and I’ll do it again for sure.”
In addition to group activities, E-Hoops also offers one-on-one mentorship to special needs children, who may need more time and attention.
First-year sports management grad student Yazmeen Ramirez, a one-on-one volunteer, said, “I love giving to people, especially kids, and just seeing their smiles at the end of the day, and then knowing that they did that with the effort they put in.”
Ramirez worked one-on-one with Sophie in the previous session, who was using a walking assistance device. Reflecting on her experience, Ramirez said, “I absolutely loved it. Sophie, she’s such a sweetheart. She’s so cute. […] I think not just coaching her, but I think getting to just know her as a person and as a friend too, and building that friendship was really special.”
This past Sunday, Oct. 26, SF E-Hoops held their fall season finale. Following the session, the kids were given little medals by volunteers.
“After the whole season you see how much these kids have advanced and grown and developed,” Kim said. “It’s a way to celebrate how much these kids can look back and see that they’ve made significant progress and development over the course of each of these E-Hoops clinics.”
According to Kim, E-Hoops is partnered with the Golden State Warriors and the Golden State Valkyries, and holds larger sessions at Chase Center every year. They held a session in April and are aiming to hold another one at the end of January.
