For those of us who truly appreciate and understand hoops- we realize this is more than just a game. Basketball has evolved into a passion, culture, and for some, even an opportunity to give back to the community. Basketball helps individuals develop their physical and mental drive, and through teamwork, opens up a universal communication understood among all people, regardless of age or ethnicity.

One organization going above and beyond the call of hoops and incorporating basketball as a dialogue for mankind is JD BASKETBALL. JD BASKETBALL is a social movement that began as a training philosophy and regime, but has developed in to a game changing way to educate kids. Their primary mission is to make the world a better place through basketball. Today, we get an in-depth look from the man behind the scenes, JD Walsh, founder of JD BASKETBALL in an exclusive interview about how JD BASKETBALL has positively inspired the youth community – in fact, over 15,000 participants in eight different countries!

Hoopiquity: What inspired you to head up this influential program?

JD: I had just finished my own playing career and started working with a group of young group of guys in Queens, NY, some of which went on to do big things, guys like Smush Parker ended up in the NBA, and Talik Brown had a nice career at UConn and Shayne Gattison, OK State, is still playing somewhere. I had so much fun, I quit my job and followed my real calling. In 1998, I was hired as head coach at Rosyln HS on Long Island. Soon after, I realized the lack of good fundamental training for kids and started ‘The JD Walsh Basketball School’ as a way to improve the quality of the game and teach life values derived from sport. As I grew and took a bigger job at St. John the Baptist, West Islip, so did the program.

In 2000, I was approached by some folks from China working with the central government in China and the Chinese Basketball Association. Together we founded Sino American International Sports and operated basketball events with the CBA throughout China. As part of our agreement we ran basketball camps and friendship matches between our US Elite All-Star HS team the future Olympic team.

It was around this time, I began to realize the power of sports to connect people around the world.

While traveling abroad, I began to notice that post the start of the Iraq war, Americans were not as loved or admired as we once were. I decided to do what I could to change local perceptions. I knew the game was a simple, apolitical way to connect people and to prove that point I expanded my program in this effort. What started small, began to grow when Richard Armitage former under secretary of state mentioned on senate record to Joe Biden at a meeting on National Security Foreign policy that my program was a great example of foreign diplomacy and was having more effect than some other foriegn policy tactics.

I took these sensibilities to my program and decided to integrate a social education component. It has sort of become a hooper’s paradise goes way of magic carpet ride as I’ve now been fortunate to travel all over the world and support the things I love.

Hoopiquity: As founder of such a distinct basketball-focused program, mind sharing with us, how you got into the game yourself?

JD: You can sort of say I grew up in the game. My godfather and first basketball mentor, Frank Tirico was a starter in the backcourt with Lenny Wilkens at Providence in the 50’s , and my uncle Dennis Walsh was also a stand out guard for the Friars in the 70’s. My father was a great coach in Babylon HS on Long Island where he coached All-Americans Chris Brust (who won national championship at UNC with Michael Jordan in ‘82 ) Matt Brust (St. John’s) and Glenn Vickers (Iona College) I can still remember when Dean Smith, Mike Deane and Roy Williams came to the house to recruit my dad’s players and eating my mom’s lasagna. Rick Pitino had a car with a Providence Friar painted on it. I was a hoops junkie from about the time I was 8 or 9, playing games all over NY metro area with local AAU teams. As I got older and improved I’d jump on a LIRR train into the city and then get off random subway stops in Brooklyn looking for games. By the time I was a junior in HS my size and skill caught up with my passion. It did not hurt that I always played point guard and then grew to 6’ 7”. After graduating from St. Thomas More School (CT), I was recruited and accepted a full scholarship to play for the University of Maryland. I had some good game at MD, but basically my career was up and down- the lowest point being a back surgery after my freshman year. I was lucky to play for two excellent coaches, Jere Quinn (STM), and Gary Williams (UMD).

Hoopiquity: How has JD BASKETBALL impacted the youth community?

JD: Positively — the fact over 15,000 participants in eight countries on three continents shows we can deliver in diverse communities. The high end skill development of many of the youth to college and professional players has been thrilling but some my favorite success stories are of the participants in the social programs.

For example, in the spring of ’08 as part of US Department of State and American Consualate mission in Chennai English Asscess program, I worked with a group of young Muslim women at TNBA stadium for three days. They showed up in full duppitta and some with no shoes. Their experience with an American was very new and their experience with sport even newer. We started slow, but had fun and by the end of the three days they learned the basic rules of the game, and how to dribble and shoot. By the end of program the girls sad to see sports be shelved for them once again, came to rally when the school decided to build them a court and “ring” – hoop.

Hoopiquity: What is your biggest accomplishment up until now?

JD: I’m not sure what would be my biggest accomplishment so far but clearly watching the kids improve and learn in our camps has been really inspiring. The ability to stay in the game is such a blessing in itself. I am proud that I had a chance to serve our country for the US Department of State as part of diplomatic mission in SE Asia and Gulf Regions.

And, winning Nike Changemaker award in 2007 for ‘Hoops for Health’ in Kashmir was really exciting because I knew how much it would benefit the kids to keep the program going.

In addition, the Sulha and Kashmir programs each hold special places in my heart. Watching the Palestine and Israeli kids laugh and smile while playing ball after a really emotional and gut wretching bereavement session provided me an indescribable feeling.

I should mention, beating the Chinese National Jr. team in front of 20,000 people on CCTV to an estimated 300 million, after getting totally manhandled by the officials was also quite gratifying.

Hoopiquity: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve encountered?

JD: There have been a few. Some of the regions I have traveled have been conflict areas so the travel and visa and safety issues always present a challenge. When I first started the business, I lost the main destination camp space twice —and that really cost me! Some unethical Chinese and SARS virus really cost me as well!

Hoopiquity: What’s in store for the future of JD Basketball?

JD: I am excited about taking my own and talented others’ ideas to reality and expand on JDBASKETBALL to educate kids’ innovative fashion around the world. Ultimately, I’d like to continue the program legacy, and grow the game in India, my adopted second homeland!

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JD Walsh continues to pave the way for the youth with JDBASKETBALL. Constant travel back and forth to India for the past three years has kept JD on his toes, learning the culture and promoting the game. JDBASKETBALL’s five city Fall 2009 tour is almost complete and will be announced shortly. One project in development is a ‘hoops for health’ initiative to build courts in the dhavari slums in Mumbai with Jockin Arputhan, 2000 Ramon Magasaysay Award winner under the Peace and International Understanding category, commonly equivalent to Asia’s ‘nobel prize’. Another recent program focuses on promoting awareness of teen depression, as JDBASKETBALL hopes to show how sports can be a deterrent for teen depression and suicide.

JD is interested in connecting with some of the top minds in social education and the new wave of For-Profit Social Entrepreneurism. Everyone has a skill they can apply to service for US President Obama, learn more about what you can do to serve your own community.

To learn more about JDBASKETBALL:
Website: www.jdbasketball.com
Twitter: @JDBASKETBALL