HI-FIVE JUNIOR NBA
HOOPS
JR. NBA BASKETBALL - LET'S PLAY BALL!
The Hi-Five Hoops Jr. NBA program offers your child all the excitement and action of the real NBA & WNBA! Skills Clinics, Team Practices, League Play...it’s all there! Don’t miss the chance to have your child enjoy this unique & fun program that combines all the positive elements that will aide in providing a unique experience for your entire family.
No deadline to register, but space is limited. Proration on fees available once season begins!
Join anytime!
Hi-Five Sports Club has developed a youth basketball program that combines all the positive elements that will aide in providing a unique experience for your entire family. As youth sports specialists, Hi-Five has developed guidelines for players and coaches similar to that of the NBA and WNBA. These guidelines are the elements that will provide a positive experience for your child. All coaches will go through the Hi-Five Hoops training program. Hi-Five is proud to bring this exciting new program to the Chicago area!
Program Goals & Philosophy
The main goal of the Hi-Five Hoops Program is to provide an opportunity for each athlete to improve their basketball skills while having FUN! Our philosophy of positive reinforcement in teaching basketball enables each athlete to enjoy the game while learning necessary skills and techniques. The Program is designed in a manner so that each week new skills are taught and previous skills are reinforced. Our goal is to teach the importance of responsibility, sportsmanship and teamwork. The Hi-Five Hoops program uses age-appropriate sized basketballs and basket heights. This promotes the use of proper mechanics when handling and shooting the basketball.
2641 W. Harrison St.
Fall Session Format – 10 Dates
Weeks 1–2: Skills & Evaluations
- Activities:
- Group Skills Clinics
- Scrimmages
- Player Evaluations
- Focus: Learning basketball fundamentals at age-appropriate levels.
Weeks 3–8: League Play (6 Weeks)
- Players are placed on teams across 5 age divisions.
- Each team is assigned a coach for the full season.
- Weekly Format:
- 30 min – Rotational Skills Clinics
- 15 min – Team Practice
- 45 min – Game
- Additional Notes:
- Teams practice briefly before each game.
- Games are professionally refereed.
- All players receive equal playing time.
Week 9: “NBA-Cup” In-Season Tournament
- Special weekend tournament featuring all teams.
- Multiple games in a competitive, yet fun, playoff-style format.
- Culminates in division champions being crowned.
What’s Included
- Personal Practice Basketball
- Hi-Five Hoops Dri-Fit Shooting Shirt
- Hi-Five Hoops Jr. NBA Replica Jersey + Shorts
Winter Session Format – 11 Weeks
Week 1: Clinic & Player Evaluations
- Activities:
- Skills Clinics
- Scrimmages
- Player Evaluations & Team Integration
- Focus: Prepare all players for league play and assess skill levels.
Weeks 2–8: Regular Season (7 Weeks)
- Continuation of the Hi-Five Hoops Jr. NBA League (Session 2)
- New players are assigned to an existing team and coach
- All team records reset to 0-0 for the new session
- Weekly Format:
- 30 min – Rotational Skills Clinics
- 15 min – Team Practice
- 45 min – Game
- Additional Notes:
- Teams have a short practice before each game
- Games are professionally refereed
- Every player receives equal playing time
Weeks 9–11: Playoffs & Championships
- Weeks 9–10: Playoff rounds to determine division finalists
- Week 11:
- Championship & Consolation Games
- Award Ceremonies & Trophy Presentations
What’s Included
- All Players:
- Award Ceremony & Trophy
- New Players Only:
- Personal Basketball
- Hi-Five Hoops Shooting Shirt
- Hi-Five Hoops Jr. NBA Replica Jersey + Shorts
(Returning players from Fall Session 1 do not receive duplicate gear.)
Individual Skills Clinics
All players participate in our clinics, learning the fundamentals of the game at age-appropriate levels. We focus on building skills through drills, teaching stations and game play, with concentration on stationary & full court ball handling and team stations in passing, rebounding, shooting, defense and offense. During the clinic period, coaches will evaluate players and select teams with an eye on parity.
Scrimmages & Player Evaluations
These are designed for our coaches to evaluate players to help create a well-balanced league, while also teaching and developing team offenses & defenses for the league.
League Play
Teams are divided into five age divisions:
Little Ballers–Pre K
Buddy Ball–Kindergarten & 1st grade
Rookie Division–2nd & 3rd grade
Varsity Division–4th & 5th grade
Pro Division–6th, & 7th grade
Each team is assigned a coach and a short team practice will be conducted before each game. The games are professionally refereed, with every player receiving equal playing time.
The Pro Division is designed for dedicated 6th–7th grade athletes who are ready to take their basketball skills to the next level. Meeting weekly, players focus on consistent skill development through structured drills, team-based activities, and competitive play.
Each session blends individual skill work—including shooting, ball handling, footwork, and defensive fundamentals—with team concepts to help athletes grow as complete players. Some weeks, players participate in intra-squad scrimmages, putting their skills to the test in a fun, competitive environment.
In addition to weekly sessions, Pro Division teams enter local tournaments and challenge other programs across the city, giving athletes real game experience against new competition. This combination of consistent training and live gameplay helps players build confidence, improve their understanding of the game, and elevate their performance over time.
Program Focus:
- Consistent skill development and game IQ growth
- Weekly practices with a mix of drills and scrimmages
- Competitive opportunities in local tournaments
- Challenging games against other city programs
- Fun, team-oriented environment with a focus on improvement
Whether your goal is to prepare for school teams or simply improve your game, the Pro Division provides the perfect balance of training and competition to help young athletes succeed.
MAKING MEMORIES
STAFF
JP has been an integral part of Hi-Five for decades, shaping young athletes and fostering a love for basketball in his community. His coaching journey began with Midnight Basketball for the Chicago Housing Authority, and since then, he has dedicated himself to guiding and mentoring youth.
Raised in Chicago and learning the game on the playground, JP brings a deep understanding of the sport and its impact beyond the court. Coaching has taught him patience, leadership, and how to instill discipline in young players. His passion extends beyond basketball—he has worked with the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools, and even spent time in business roles, from hardware stores to Subway restaurants.
JP credits his mother, father, and mentors like Mr. Allen for shaping him into the person he is today. A dedicated father of four—Russell, Tamaya, Pinky, and Tanisha—he takes pride in raising not just his own children, but countless others through his coaching and mentorship.
A die-hard sports fan, JP roots for the Yankees, Cowboys, and, of course, the Bulls. And when it comes to the eternal debate? He’s Team MJ all the way. If he weren’t coaching, he’d pursue business success, but at his core, JP is a coach, leader, and pillar of his community.
With nearly 25 years of coaching experience, Stephen Warren has dedicated his career to mentoring young athletes. A former high school basketball and baseball player, he began coaching at 24, working with little league teams, volunteering at the Southside YMCA in Chicago, and coaching girls' and coed softball for CPS. Currently a coach at Chicago Hope Academy, Stephen has also been a proud member of the Hi-Five family for 17 years.
His Hi-Five journey started in the summer of 2008 as the baseball station head, where a spontaneous left-field dance party showed him he had found his coaching home. One of his fondest memories is winning a championship and having Gary personally hand him the trophy, recognizing his growth and impact on the kids. For Stephen, coaching is about more than winning—it’s about building confidence, teaching fundamentals, and watching kids improve.
Outside of coaching, Stephen is a passionate gamer, computer builder, and sci-fi fan. His career has spanned roles as a line manager, postal worker, S.E.C.A., security officer, dean of discipline, and building manager. A proud graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, he studied Mass Communication and Media Arts with a minor in History. When he's not on the court or field, he's spending time with his beloved pets, Ski (dog) and Luna (cat), or cheering—often with frustration—for his favorite teams: the Bulls, Bears, and White Sox.
His coaching philosophy is built on the advice that "hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t want to work hard." If he had to choose one food for the rest of his coaching career, it would be tacos. And if he weren’t so good at coaching? Well, he'd probably be a mailman.
Justin is a former Division 1 NAIA college basketball player and a state champion in high school basketball (Whitney Young). He also played for the prestigious Meanstreets AAU team. His passion for the game started from a young age when he joined the Hi-Five Hoops Jr. NBA program at age 4, and later transitioned to coaching at Hi-Five as a summer camp coach. A standout memory for him as a coach is seeing first-time players or new participants score their first bucket, a moment that highlights the progress and development of young athletes.
Justin has a range of interests outside of basketball, including thrifting, fashion, and taking his dog, Melo, out on adventures.
What Justin loves most about coaching kids is watching their weekly development and seeing the smiles on their faces when they achieve a goal, whether it's executing a new skill or simply enjoying the game. Coaching has taught him the importance of patience, structure, and making quick adjustments. The best piece of advice he’s received from a coach is “Keep the main thing the main thing,” which has helped him stay focused and driven in his career.
If he could only eat one food for the rest of his coaching career, it would be pizza, and while he's a big fan of LeBron, his loyalty lies with Michael Jordan when it comes to the all-time greats. Justin’s favorite athlete to cheer for is Kevin Durant. The most important people in his life are his mom, dad, and sister, and he shares his life with his 3-month-old dog, Melo.
A former collegiate and professional basketball player in Italy, Coach Dorian has dedicated his career to mentoring young athletes. Currently the Head Freshman Coach at Chicago Hope Academy and a Director of Admission, his passion for coaching was sparked in the summer of 2015 when he first joined Hi-Five as a D2 coach at Sports Camp. Since then, he has been committed to shaping young players, many of whom he has watched grow from 4th graders into high school athletes at St. Ignatius, Whitney Young, Lincoln Park, and even his own team at Hope.
Basketball is more than just a game for Coach Dorian—it’s a year-round passion. He spends his time training players, studying film, and mentoring young athletes to ensure they are on a path to success. He believes in the power of positive reinforcement, knowing that the words a coach speaks can leave a lasting impact. His high school coach once told him, “No matter how good you are, the ball eventually stops bouncing, but your character will always be remembered.” That lesson continues to guide his coaching philosophy today.
A proud graduate of the College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx, NY, with a degree in Communication and a master’s in Sports Business, Coach Dorian is also a devoted LeBron James fan and can often be found cheering for the Lakers. If he weren’t coaching, he’d be a personal basketball trainer—but nothing compares to the joy of developing young athletes. His love for Hi-Five runs deep, having been part of the program since he was a young child, and he is honored to give back to the place that shaped him both as a player and a coach.
With nearly a decade of coaching experience, Todd Neuhausen brings a deep passion for player development and the game of basketball. A former competitive high school player, he transitioned into coaching in 2016 with Hi-Five Hoops and has been dedicated to helping young athletes grow ever since. One of his most memorable coaching moments was leading his team to a Rookie Championship victory last season.
Todd thrives on watching players improve in real time, especially when they begin to truly process and apply what they’ve been taught. He believes coaching is as much about patience as it is about strategy, understanding that every player learns at their own pace. His guiding principle, learned from a former coach, is simple: “Control what you're able to control, and the rest will hopefully take care of itself.”
A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Todd earned a degree in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism with a focus on Sport Management and a minor in Business. When he’s not on the court, he enjoys spending time with family, his pets, and debating the age-old question—MJ or LeBron? (The answer, of course, is MJ.)
Emmanuel is a passionate coach with a rich background in athletics, including being an AAU Coach for Chicago Hoops, a 3-year basketball player at Lane Tech, and a 4-year player in football and track & field. He also served as a Club Coordinator Staff member at the University of Missouri. Emmanuel began coaching at Hi-Five in September 2024, assisting with preseason clinics and connecting with players, coaches, and families.
A psych rehabilitation specialist with experience in education, he is committed to nurturing young athletes both on and off the court. Emmanuel values patience and growth in coaching, always excited to see kids improve and embrace the challenges of sports. He loves seeing his players fall in love with the sport and put in the work behind the scenes to get better.
Outside of coaching, he enjoys music, fashion, sneakers, and traveling. A fan of Nigerian food and pasta, Emmanuel is deeply grateful for the support of his family and friends and is inspired by the wisdom, “Be a genuine leader; naturally, others will follow.”
He loves Ohio State Football, all Chicago sports teams, D-Rose, LeBron James and is currently a big SGA fan.
Coach Justin Hill has been part of the Hi-Five family since the summer of 2015, bringing over a decade of energy, experience, and passion to the court. A professional athlete and longtime AAU coach/director, Justin has dedicated his career to helping young players grow both as athletes and as people.
One of his favorite Hi-Five memories is seeing his players cry tears of joy at the end of camp, a moment that reminds him how special it is to build lasting connections and make a difference in kids’ lives. Justin loves to instill the same passion he feels for basketball into every child he coaches, teaching not only skills and fundamentals but also confidence, teamwork, and love for the game.
Outside of basketball, Justin enjoys directing short films that inspire and motivate others — a reflection of his creative side and his drive to make a positive impact wherever he goes.
A Chicago native and proud Bulls and Ayo Dosunmu fan, Justin studied Business at USC before pursuing his professional basketball career. When he’s not coaching or creating, you can find him hanging out with his dog, Angel.
When asked what coaching has taught him most, Justin says, “Patience — and that you can learn from anyone.”
Simply put, Coach Justin loves basketball — and it shows every time he steps on the court.
Cynthia Manuel brings over 20 years of basketball coaching experience, with a background that started on the high school court where she earned all-star recognition and competed in the state 3-point contest. She went on to earn a scholarship to Kendall College in Evanston, where she studied Computer Science, and today she coaches a 9–10-year-old AAU team in Indiana. Cynthia joined Hi-Five in January 2025, and one of her favorite memories is seeing a 5-year-old make their very first basket after weeks of practice—the pride on the player’s face and the team’s celebration made it an unforgettable milestone.
As a coach, Cynthia loves watching young athletes grow in confidence and skill, both on and off the court. Coaching has taught her patience, adaptability, and the importance of celebrating small victories along the way. Outside of basketball, Cynthia enjoys the equine life, exercising, listening to music, reading, and traveling. She has also built a dynamic career outside of coaching, working as a Web Designer, Photographer, Publicist, Talk Show Host, Author, Youth Advocate Specialist, and CEO of Heavenly Cynt Youth Org.
Her family is the most important part of her life, and she’s also a proud mom to a 17-year-old son. Cynthia has both cats and dogs, cheers for the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, and counts both MJ and LeBron among her basketball icons. If she weren’t so passionate about coaching, she says she’d likely be a Web Developer. The best piece of advice she ever received from a coach still guides her today: “Focus on what you can control and let everything else go.”
Hi-Five Hoops Jr. NBA Alumni
Ayo grew up playing in the Hi-Five Jr. NBA League on Sundays as well as for our Small Fry Team, Nothin' But Net. Ayo attended the University of Illinois where he was named a consensus first-team All-American in his junior season. He was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2021.
Charlie grew up playing in the Hi-Five Jr. NBA League on Sundays as well as for our Small Fry Team, Nothin' But Net. Charlie played at four different universities: Cal, Kansas, Depaul and most notably, Miami. While at Miami, where he earned All-Defensive team and honorable mention All-ACC recognition and led his team to an Elite Eight in 2022.
Lucas grew up playing in the Hi-Five Jr. NBA League on Sundays as well as for our Small Fry Team, Nothin' But Net. Lucas played college basketball at Loyola Chicago where earned First Team All-MVC honors and was named MVC Defensive Player of the Year.
2021 - 22 WAC All-Defense
2022-23 WAC All-Defense
