Key Takeaways
- MADE Hoops and FIBA are launching the MADE Hoops Global Games, the first international middle school basketball championship for athletes ages U10 through U14.
- The inaugural event takes place June 12-14, 2026, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass., in association with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
- Games will be played under FIBA rules with official FIBA basketballs, introducing American youth players to international competition standards early.
- MADE Hoops serves over 100,000 youth athletes annually and hosts more than 125 events per year across the U.S.
- Additional qualifying events and international competitions are planned throughout the year, including games featuring European teams.
A First for Youth Basketball at the International Level
MADE Hoops and FIBA have announced a strategic partnership to create the MADE Hoops Global Games, a first-of-its-kind global competition for middle school basketball players. The event pairs MADE’s grassroots infrastructure with FIBA’s international governance and reach to build a competitive platform at the U10 through U14 level.
The inaugural tournament will be held June 12-14 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. The event is produced in association with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, located in the city where basketball was invented.
“Partnering with FIBA to create the MADE Hoops Global Games is about giving the next generation of players a world-class moment to compete at a pivotal time in their development as athletes,” said Chad Babel, Founder and CEO of MADE Hoops.
International Rules, Domestic Infrastructure
A defining feature of the event is its use of FIBA rules and official FIBA basketballs, a departure from the standard AAU or grassroots format most American youth players experience. Domestic teams will be selected from the MADE Hoops Circuit, while FIBA will provide the groundwork for international team participation, including multiple European squads.
Beyond the June event, games are planned throughout the year in locations around the world, with qualifying events feeding into future editions of the Global Games. The structure is designed to build a recurring pipeline of cross-border youth competition.
Carlos Alves, CEO of FIBA in the Americas, called the partnership “a transformative opportunity for aspiring young athletes,” citing the combination of MADE’s U.S. youth basketball expertise with FIBA’s global footprint.
Investor Backing and Brand Momentum
MADE Hoops announced its first outside investment round in November 2025, led by SC Holdings and LRMR Ventures, with participation from Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s 35V and Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero. The FIBA partnership follows that capital raise and a new training facility in Brooklyn dedicated to year-round player development.
“SC Holdings invested in MADE to build the platform youth basketball deserves, one that operates at a global standard,” said Jason Stein, Co-Founder of SC Holdings.
MADE has built significant brand equity among young athletes and their families through social media and a performance apparel line. The FIBA partnership provides a natural entry point into international markets while reinforcing MADE’s position in the domestic grassroots space.
What This Means for the Youth Basketball Ecosystem
The MADE Hoops Global Games adds a new layer to the youth basketball calendar at an age group that has historically lacked structured international competition. For the 2026 event, participation is invite-only, with teams able to apply through MADE’s website. The format includes pool play followed by single-bracket elimination.
Springfield’s role as host also ties into broader economic impact efforts around the Hall of Fame campus. John Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, said the event “represents exactly the kind of event that honors Dr. Naismith’s original vision” and will drive economic activity in the region.
With qualifying events planned beyond June and international expansion built into the model, the partnership establishes a framework that could become a recurring fixture in youth basketball development worldwide.
Source: MADE Hoops Press Release, April 2026
Image: MADE Hoops IG
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