The Future - Detroit AAU Basketball Team

Coaches pictured from left to right. Coach Derrick, Head Coach Ju, Coach Pat.
Not pictured; Coach Tyler, Coach Jeff

The Future, led by head coach Julius Hope II, is a Detroit based AAU basketball team who’s makin’ waves. With a talented group of young players, they’re showing off impressive skills for their age and are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with.

This boys 3rd-grade team has been playing together for over a year, and their chemistry on the court is already somethin’ special! Quick note; two of their players are in 2nd grade, but you wouldn’t know it by watching them ball out; they even have a 1st grade player. The team competes confidently against older opponents, displaying skills that are well beyond what you’d expect for their age!

Focusing on the fundamentals of the game, the players are becoming more confident on the court with each practice and game. They pass the ball well, move their feet on defense and all the kids can score; including off-hand lay’s.

The Future is about much more than basketball. The head coach, along with the help of the dedicated coaching staff, are focused on developing skilled players while also shaping the young athletes into well-rounded individuals, equipping them for success both on and off the court. Some of the things that the players are taught are, how to control their emotions, being confident on and off the court, and how to take accountability, while also holding each other accountable.

Q&A with the head coach

1. Why did you start your basketball team?

The team started out of a group of kids training together and in need of a team. All the kids were just starting and needed to be in a place focused on developing their skills and allowing them to be in a competitive environment while doing so. I knew that a lot of the other local programs were not really interested in development, and more so interested in winning. Kids just starting do not always get a chance to compete when the program is just focused on winning and those programs usually go out looking for already established kids. I also thought about many of the guys that helped me along the way on my own basketball journey and wanted to do my part.

2. What has been your most rewarding experience coaching at this level?

The most rewarding experience has been the relationships developed from starting this team. I am not only involved in the kids’ lives on the court, but off the court as well. I get to assist parents with issues outside of basketball and help in any way possible. Because of this, my relationship with every kid is developed organically and I get to learn each kid individually. I also get help with my own kid, the parents have become part of my village. I love that you can always feel all of the genuine love around us.

3. What kind of impact do you hope to have on these young athletes beyond basketball?

My biggest hope is that not only do we help to build a strong foundation to achieve their basketball goals, but also help them achieve their goals in life. It is my wish that the lessons they learn [now will] allow them to navigate the challenges of life and know how to deal with tough situations. It is our hope as a program that the kids that leave our program [are] prepared. We put a strong emphasis on playing the game the right way; being unselfish, being a strong defender, common knowledge about defensive concept, react and play off what is given, and confidence. We are really hoping to give them the tools to excel in any basketball environment.

4. What personal qualities or values do you hope to instill in the players, and how did that influence your decision to start the team?

The personal qualities or values that I wish to instill are: Trust in God, hard work, commitment, perseverance, emotional control, selflessness, love, and toughness. I feel as if a lot of these things are missing from the world. Young boys in general are definitely missing the opportunity to access all of these qualities. The organization for me has become a form of ministry and is turning into something that could really impact and change not only those within the groups lives, but also the people we come in contact with along the journey.

5. What’s the most memorable moment from your time coaching this team so far?

The most memorable moment for me was us losing the championship in our first league and coming in second place. Looking back over how the kids started off the league and seeing how many strides that they made at the end was amazing. The league put the battery in my back to keep going, it motivated me. I also have great memories of us just being silly. Having fun in practice or on the sidelines at games. The memories thus far have been great and I look forward to building more in the future.

6. What goals did you have in mind when you first started the team, both for the players and for the program as a whole?

My goal was to give athletes the opportunity to start off with a strong foundation and a good grasp on the basics of basketball. I saw a lot of kids that could do all these grand things, but had never mastered the basics. I wanted to build a program known for the type of players produced, and when our kids walked in the gym they could be proud of where they started.

7. What kind of culture or environment were you hoping to create for the players on this team?

The environment that we are hoping to create is an environment composed of : toughness, hard work, attention to detail, respect, and a love for the game. I hope the environment created is one in which the kids are able to fail and learn from their mistakes. An environment in which the kids feel loved, but challenged. An environment that encourages self love and love for others. I am hoping to create an environment where the kids can thrive and become the best version of themselves and tap into their full potential.

8. Have there been any challenges you’ve faced while coaching, and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge for me has been learning that not every kid can be coached the same. Not all kids come from the same background, or face the same issues. Coaching one way could be great for one kid and run another off. Another challenge has been learning that sometimes not every situation requires tough love. Sometimes the situation requires nurturing and building trust. I have learned to learn each player individually and the skill of coaching is how can all of the individuals become one unit or team.

9. What do you hope the legacy of this team will be in the years to come?

My hope for the legacy of the team stems in the name “ The Future”. My hope is that we help to build the future of not only basketball, but the world as a whole. We are doing our best to try to give kids the skills needed to achieve their goals on and off the basketball court. Skills to be great contributors to society. Our goal is for kids to come in one way and leave out better, regardless of the amount of time they have been with us. When kids leave our program and walk into their high school or college, we want it to be obvious that they have a kid that played for “The Future.”