Hoops After Dark League returns for third year

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Hoops After Dark League, a partnership between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the City of Cleveland, is back for a third year, with the championship game taking place on Aug. 16 at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

A press release from the Cavs said the program is meant to “advance Mayor (Justin) Bibb’s comprehensive violence prevention strategy by connecting young men aged 18-26 to sport and personal development resources.”

It claims that the program has featured 200 players and more than 1,000 spectators.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with the Cavaliers to reintroduce Hoops After Dark for the third consecutive summer,” Bibb said in the release. “Initiatives like this play a crucial role in spearheading efforts for a safer city by addressing the underlying causes of violence and offering a constructive avenue through the universal language of sports, which has the power to bridge diverse backgrounds and bring communities together. Through Hoops After Dark, we have the opportunity to effect tangible change within our community, and we are eager to build on the momentum and achievements of this program.” 

The eight-week-long program begins with tryouts from June 10 through 13; league play from June 24 to 31; playoffs from Aug. 7 through 14 and the championship game on Aug. 16.

Tryouts will be held from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Centers in Cudell (June 12), Glenville (June 11) and Zelma George (June 10).

Registration is available here.

The release states that the league’s players must participate in personal development workshops before the games on subjects ranging from financial literacy to gun violence prevention.

They are also connected to community resources and, this year, will be able to attend a job fair “with organizations dedicated to hiring players.”

“We are looking forward to bringing Hoops After Dark back for a third year in partnership with the City of Cleveland following two extremely successful initial seasons. The program’s unique ability to use basketball to impact our community, provide safe spaces and support individuals in their efforts to become the best version of themselves is something we are deeply passionate about,” said Nic Barlage, Cleveland Cavaliers, Rock Entertainment Group and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse CEO in the release. “We’re committed to using our platform for driving greater outcomes and are excited to see the positive and lasting impact Hoops After Dark will continue to have on the young people who participate across the greater Northeast Ohio community.”