Key Takeaways
- MADE Hoops raised its first outside capital from LRMR Ventures (LeBron James and Maverick Carter), SC Holdings, 35V (Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman), and Paolo Banchero, with the investment size undisclosed.
- The organization will launch MADE for All, a non-profit foundation focused on scholarships and training resources, alongside a multi-million-dollar player development center in New York City opening in early 2026.
- MADE Hoops currently hosts more than 125 boys’ and girls’ events annually, serving over 100,000 student-athletes ages 10-18 and drawing 120,000+ spectators each year.
- Chad Babel will remain CEO and a significant shareholder, with a new board including Maverick Carter and SC Holdings co-founder Jason Stein.
- The company plans to invest “well into seven figures” back into the basketball community through the new facility and foundation initiatives.
First Outside Capital After 12 Years of Bootstrapped Growth
MADE Hoops, founded by Chad Babel in 2014, has operated without outside investment for over a decade while building the largest independent grassroots basketball circuit in the United States. The strategic investment round, led by SC Holdings and LRMR Ventures, marks a significant shift in the organization’s growth strategy.
The investor group brings deep connections to basketball at the highest levels. LRMR Ventures serves as the family office for LeBron James and Maverick Carter, while 35V represents Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s investment vehicle. NBA All-Star Paolo Banchero also participated in the round. Investment terms were not disclosed.
“This investment allows us to take everything we’ve built and elevate it to new heights, which will benefit the most important part of our ecosystem: the player community,” Babel said in the announcement. He will continue leading the organization as CEO and retain a significant ownership stake.
The new board of directors will include Carter, Stein, and Babel. Carter emphasized the investment’s focus on addressing gaps in youth basketball infrastructure: “What Chad and his team at MADE are doing is what youth basketball has needed for a very long time.”
Dual Expansion: Non-Profit Foundation and Elite Development Facility
MADE Hoops outlined two major initiatives funded by the investment. The first, MADE for All, will operate as a non-profit foundation providing scholarships, training resources, and community programs for youth players and facilities nationwide.
The second initiative centers on a state-of-the-art player development center in New York City, scheduled to open in early 2026. The facility will focus exclusively on skill development, performance training, and strength and conditioning. According to the company, the center is modeled after European basketball academies and will serve as a prototype for future American player development infrastructure.
Combined, these two initiatives represent an investment “well into seven figures,” according to the announcement. The exact budget allocation between the foundation and facility was not specified.
Jason Stein, co-founder of SC Holdings, highlighted the organization’s player-first approach: “While they are incredible operators and have created a fantastic platform, at MADE, it always starts and ends with what’s best for the kid and the game of basketball.”
Platform Scale and Competitive Position
MADE Hoops operates at considerable scale within youth basketball. The organization hosts more than 125 boys’ and girls’ events annually across the United States, serving over 100,000 student-athletes ages 10-18. Annual spectator attendance exceeds 120,000.
The MADE Hoops Circuit (MHC) features teams from more than 25 states and Canada, positioning it as the largest independent grassroots basketball circuit in the country. The platform has become a launchpad for players who went on to collegiate and professional careers.
Beyond tournaments and leagues, MADE Hoops has established marquee events including the SLAM Summer Classic and Jordan Holiday Classic, which have become fixtures in the youth basketball calendar. The organization counts U.S. Army National Guard, Gatorade, and Wilson among its multi-year brand partners.
Youth basketball represents the largest participation youth sport in America by player count, with millions of boys and girls competing annually. MADE Hoops positions itself at the center of this ecosystem, connecting players, coaches, and communities through its event platform.
Strategic Direction: Media and National Training Infrastructure
The investment will support expansion into media initiatives and national training infrastructure, though specific plans were not detailed in the announcement. The New York City facility represents the first physical location in what could become a broader network of development centers.
The organization emphasized its commitment to “maximizing athlete development and exposure,” the meaning behind the MADE acronym. Babel, who began his career as a Nike talent scout before founding the organization, has built MADE Hoops without venture capital or private equity backing until this round.
The new board composition suggests a focus on brand building and athlete development. Carter brings experience scaling entertainment and athlete-focused businesses through LRMR and SpringHill Company. Stein’s SC Holdings has been active in sports investments, though the firm’s other portfolio companies were not specified in the announcement.
MADE Hoops indicated it will maintain its existing event schedule and sponsor relationships while adding new programming and infrastructure. The organization did not announce plans to expand into additional sports or age groups beyond its current focus on basketball players ages 10-18.
What This Investment Means for Youth Basketball
The MADE Hoops investment reflects growing institutional interest in youth sports infrastructure, particularly in basketball. The participation in the round by high-profile athletes and their investment vehicles signals recognition of grassroots basketball as both a community asset and a commercial opportunity.
The dual focus on a non-profit foundation and a for-profit development center creates a model that blends access initiatives with premium training infrastructure. How MADE for All will operate alongside the company’s existing commercial events remains to be seen, as the foundation’s governance structure and funding mechanisms were not disclosed.
The New York City facility opening in early 2026 will provide a test case for whether European-style development centers can be adapted to the American youth sports market. Success could accelerate similar investments by MADE Hoops or competitors in other markets.
For the broader youth basketball ecosystem, the investment may increase competition for talent, sponsorships, and facilities. It also raises questions about how grassroots operators balance growth capital with maintaining relationships built through community connections and player development focus.
via: PRNW / SBJ
Photo: Boardroom
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