UPrep Equitable Access to Basketball Program
Removing Barriers. Creating Opportunity. Developing Potential.
The UPrep Equitable Access to Basketball (EAB) Program is designed to ensure that financial or other barriers do not prevent young people from accessing meaningful basketball development and the opportunities that can come with it.
Through basketball, participants gain access to more than practices and games. EAB connects youth with development, mentorship, education, competition, leadership and community.
The program provides individualized support based on each participant's circumstances and needs. Support may include financial assistance for UPrep programming, training, while also connecting participants to the broader UPrep development environment.
The goal is not simply to help a young person participate in basketball.
The goal is to use basketball as a pathway to help young people develop, connect, lead and pursue their next opportunity.
Removing Barriers to Opportunity
Every young person should have the opportunity to participate, develop and experience what basketball can offer, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Through the EAB Program, UPrep works to reduce barriers that may prevent youth from accessing our programs and development opportunities.
Support may include assistance with:
UPrep program fees
Basketball training and development
Camps and clinics
Equipment
Workshops and professional development
Mentorship and Leadership development
Other participation-related needs
Support is provided based on individual circumstances, available resources and program capacity.
Opportunity should be based on commitment, not circumstance.
Developing the Whole Person
The EAB Program goes beyond financial assistance. Participants are connected to the broader UPrep development environment and opportunities that support their growth both on and off the court.
Basketball Development
Access to quality coaching, skill development, competition and basketball education designed to help young athletes reach their potential.
Mentorship & Belonging
Meaningful relationships with coaches, mentors and peers who provide encouragement, guidance and a positive environment for growth.
Education & Future Readiness
Exposure to post-secondary pathways, careers, entrepreneurship, financial confidence and opportunities that help young people begin thinking about their future.
Leadership & Character
Opportunities to develop confidence, communication, responsibility, leadership and a commitment to giving back to their community.
Creating Opportunity Through Exposure
Sometimes young people need to see what is possible before they can imagine it for themselves.
Through our EAB Program, UPrep seeks to connect youth with experiences and people beyond their immediate basketball environment.
Participants may have opportunities to:
Meet university athletes, coaches and educators
Explore post-secondary pathways
Connect with professionals and entrepreneurs
Participate in leadership and mentorship opportunities
Experience different communities and cultures
Attend educational and community events
Learn from people who have created pathways in basketball, education, business and other fields
These experiences are designed to expand a young person's understanding of what is possible and help them identify pathways for their own future.
More Than a Place to Play
Young people need more than access to a gym.
They need people who know them, adults they can trust, peers who support them and opportunities that help them grow.
EAB creates connections between young people and the broader UPrep community while providing opportunities to develop relationships, confidence, leadership and a sense of belonging.
For some participants, basketball may be the reason they enter the program.
The relationships, development and opportunities they discover can become what keeps them connected.
Who Is the EAB Program For?
The EAB Program is designed for youth ages 13–18 who face financial, social or other barriers to accessing meaningful basketball opportunities.
UPrep is committed to supporting youth and families who may otherwise have difficulty accessing competitive basketball development, training, mentorship, education or related opportunities.
This may include youth from underserved communities and families experiencing financial barriers, as well as young people who would benefit from additional mentorship, connection and developmental support.
EAB is about making opportunity more accessible, not lowering the standard of development.
Participants remain part of UPrep's commitment to high-level basketball development, meaningful competition and long-term player growth.
How EAB Works
The EAB Program is an ongoing UPrep initiative rather than a single event or short-term project.
Depending on the needs of the participant and available program resources, EAB may provide access to different UPrep opportunities throughout the year.
1. Identify the Need
UPrep works with the athlete and family to understand the barriers affecting their participation.
2. Create an Access Plan
Based on the circumstances and available resources, UPrep determines how EAB can best support the athlete.
3. Connect to Opportunity
Participants receive access to appropriate UPrep programs, development opportunities, mentorship and experiences.
4. Develop & Support
Athletes remain connected to UPrep's development environment while receiving guidance and support throughout their participation.
5. Create the Next Pathway
The goal is to help each participant continue progressing—whether that means advancing as a basketball player, pursuing post-secondary opportunities, developing as a leader or finding new ways to contribute to their community.
A Program Built for Long-Term Impact
EAB is not designed simply to provide short-term financial assistance.
We want to create long-term access to opportunity.
That means measuring success not only by how many athletes receive financial support, but by the opportunities they are able to access because of that support.
UPrep will work to understand:
How many youth are supported through EAB
What barriers are being reduced
Participation and retention
Development and training opportunities accessed
Mentorship and educational opportunities
Leadership and community involvement
Post-secondary and future pathways
Participant and family experiences
Success means opening a door and helping a young person understand where that door can lead.
Support the EAB Program
Your support helps UPrep create greater access to basketball and the opportunities that surround it.
A contribution to EAB can help a young person access training, competition, equipment, mentorship, education and experiences that may otherwise be out of reach.
Your support can help a young person:
Access — participate in meaningful basketball opportunities.
Develop — receive quality coaching, training and education.
Connect — build relationships with teammates, coaches and mentors.
Lead — develop confidence, character and leadership.
Explore — discover education, career and life opportunities.
Give Back — become part of a community that invests in others.