Regular Hoops ??

Vlogging in the Bay Area for NBA All-Star Weekend ???? I'm working with HOOPBUS—a 501(c)(3) non-profit on a mission to build community and spread love through basketball. On Day 1, we drove up to Vallejo, California to (1) visit public schools and (2) host a community event at Setterquist Park. The energy was at a 10 all day ?? And even local rapper, LaRussell, pulled up. We've got a lot more planned for the week. Follow HOOPBUS ?? and Regular Hoops ?? on Instagram to see more!

“I gotta do Physical Therapy” ?? Episode 20: Jeremy Asgari (Founder, OUTSIDERS) ???? ---------- I met up with Jeremy at Chelsea Piers Fitness. He walked me through his 1-HOUR warm up ?? It’s obviously a long routine before playing basketball. But after 2 back surgeries in 2011, these physical therapy exercises have gotten him back on the court… …because at one point, Jeremy didn’t think he would ever play basketball again. He took 5 years off from basketball post-surgery, but his love for the game was too strong ?? The game provides Jeremy with validation and nostalgia. He shared some of his favorite basketball memories and wished there were camera phones back in the day. As a proud New York point guard, he used to play college basketball at Ohio Wesleyan University and Hunter College. And he would even hoop on the blacktop with Bobbito Garcia during the summer ?? ---------- Beyond basketball, an unexpected aspect of back surgery was his newfound love for cycling ??♀? It inspired him to start an outdoor social club called OUTSIDERS. Outsiders is on a mission to develop meaningful connections through shared outdoor experiences. He emphasized how the social aspect is the main element of the community—which is similar to basketball. Would you do this hour-long routine to keep hooping?? ?? ---------- Regular Hoops ?? filmed, edited, and produced this video. To learn more about the “Do You Still Hoop?” series, check out this LinkedIn post from the host, Daniel Aboul-Hassan ?? https://lnkd.in/g5vNxuvc

“UN Diplomats Game” ???? Episode 19: Professor David Hollander (Founder, World Basketball Day) ???? ---------- On August 25, 2023, the United Nations passed a resolution for "World Basketball Day" It was inspired by David Hollander’s book How Basketball Can Save the World. This adopted resolution made basketball the first team sport to be given an official UN International Day ?? It was adopted by consensus and co-sponsored by 76 other nations from every continent. World Basketball Day is now celebrated every year on December 21—the exact day basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith ?? ---------- This year, David Hollander collaborated with Nike to host a basketball game for UN Diplomats in NYC. There were 50+ diplomats from 28 countries represented ?? He gave a special shoutout to the Philippines because basketball is like a religion there. And the Philippine government brought forward the World Basketball Day UN resolution ???? ---------- It’s obvious that Professor Hollander loves basketball, so I asked about his basketball journey. He shared how the basketball court is like a sanctuary to him ?? And how his favorite memories are playing in the backyard while his mom yelled at him to come inside for dinner. He emphasized that basketball is more than just a game. It’s a social intuition that contributes to peace—as basketball is a common space and language across the globe ?? Hollander encourages others to look at basketball in this way. Because the game’s values outline how to be… …a really good person in a really good world ?? How are you celebrating World Basketball Day?? ?? ---------- Regular Hoops ?? filmed, edited, and produced this video. To learn more about the World Basketball Day and see some pictures, check out this LinkedIn post from the host, Daniel Aboul-Hassan ?? https://lnkd.in/ggtTTmRy

“It keeps me sane” ?? Episode 18: Thomas Drew (Entrepreneur & Former D2 Hooper) ???? ---------- I followed TDrew all day to learn about his basketball story. We started @amhoops—an NYC basketball community that hoops every Tuesday & Friday at 7am ?? After reflecting on his favorite basketball memories while getting buckets, we commuted to his apartment’s working space. This is where he takes meetings for the businesses he runs ?? One of them is called 1AND1, which is an app that helps people build habits and become 1% better each day ?? He emphasized the similarity of habit-building in both basketball and entrepreneurship. And he highlighted how community is really the key that has kept him going… …despite being called “Unc” now ?? To end the day, we went to the annual @amhoops x @mobadanga “Ballidays” Party. He was recognized as First Team All-AMHOOPS and gave out some other awards ?? It’s clear this community goes beyond basketball… …which is another reason why he still hoops ?? Does basketball keep you sane? ?? ---------- Regular Hoops ?? filmed, edited, and produced this video. To learn more about the “Do You Still Hoop?” series, check out this LinkedIn post from the host, Daniel Aboul-Hassan ?? https://lnkd.in/g5vNxuvc

“On the regular” ?? Episode 17:? Jessica Wynne (Head Coach, University of Michigan Wheelchair Basketball) ???? ---------- Coach Wynne is a U-M alumna (BA’09) and was on the Varsity Women's Basketball Team as a preferred walk-on during her time at U-M. She returned to U-M a few years ago as a volunteer for the Wheelchair Basketball team and is now the team's Head Coach. What attracted her to Wheelchair Basketball was how the sport made her feel like she was playing basketball again for the first time. Coach Wynne talked more about her basketball journey and explained how basketball is like a garden—you don’t know what’s going to grow. Would you try out the sport? ?? ---------- Regular Hoops ?? filmed, edited, and produced this video. To learn more about the “Do You Still Hoop?” series, check out this LinkedIn post from the host, Daniel Aboul-Hassan ?? https://lnkd.in/g5vNxuvc

“Playing here for 14 years” ??♂? Episode 16: Alexander Morel (Co-Founder, ANDIEM) ???? ---------- I met up with Alex at PS 47 in lower Manhattan. He’s organized a basketball run there every Sunday for the last 14 years. It started as a weekly run with friends, but has evolved into a community that sparked the idea for Andiem Here’s how ?? Week after week, many of his friends would twist their ankles during the run… And it happened to Alex at the worst time. Alex was a consultant and traveled a lot for work ?? But his severe ankle sprain made things difficult, like going to the airport & flying. From this lived experience, he realized many people stop playing basketball because they can’t afford to get hurt. So he built Andiem—which is on a mission to create an injury-free future for sports. He and his co-founder Ezra Smyser are starting with basketball because they love the sport. In fact, they met 17 years ago playing pickup basketball together in college. ---------- Alex talked more about how Dave Hopla inspired his basketball journey ?? And he emphasized how basketball is a great way to get to know people. You only need 5 minutes of gametime to understand their values. ---------- Andiem recently released its first product, The Pivot 1.0. It is a basketball shoe designed to prevent ankle injuries. Alex wants to get feedback and have as many people try it out… If you want to be one of those people, then reach out to Alex. He’ll pull up to your basketball run on a Citi Bike with a bag full of kicks ?? Do you play without fear of injury? ?? ---------- Regular Hoops ?? filmed, edited, and produced this video. To learn more about the “Do You Still Hoop?” series, check out this LinkedIn post from the host, Daniel Aboul-Hassan ?? https://lnkd.in/g5vNxuvc

“Ghana vs Nigeria game (and Jollof cook-off between 4 nations)" ???????????????? Episode 15: Battle of Jollof ???? ---------- I pulled up to the 4th annual Battle of Jollof—an event celebrating West African culture through food and basketball. If you’re not familiar with Jollof… first off, you’re missing out. But in case you don’t know, Jollof is a popular rice dish from West Africa that originated in Senegal ???? And it sparks ~friendly~ competition among countries like Nigeria & Ghana—as each claim to make the best Jollof. But Jollof is more than a plate of rice… …as eating it is associated with good times. ---------- I met up with the event's co-host Young Prince (@youngprince_) who told me more about this sibling rivalry. He explained that Battle of Jollof “feeds” into this cultural competitiveness by adding a Ghana vs Nigeria basketball game. The idea to combine food and basketball came from Arinze Emeagwali, while he was looking to raise awareness and celebrate West African culture in NYC. He tapped his friends TJ Adeshola and Abdul Abdullah, MPH to help bring the idea to life. And together, they’ve?built a passionate community through… ?? Food ?? Culture ?? Music ?? Basketball Not only does Battle of Jollof teach others about West African culture, but it also connects the global black diaspora. This connection is important because no matter who makes the better Jollof… it’s One Love, One Africa ???? (but still let me know who makes the better Jollof) cc: Yvoire S. Whittaker ---------- Regular Hoops ?? filmed, edited, and produced this video. To learn more about the “Do You Still Hoop?” series, check out this LinkedIn post from the host, Daniel Aboul-Hassan ?? https://lnkd.in/g5vNxuvc

“Subway rides to write this” ???? I recently started blogging about the BTS of Regular Hoops ?? while commuting to work… …and I just published 10 blogs in 10 weeks. People often ask how I make time to create content with a full-time job AND side hustle. Rather than share generic advice, I wanted to provide something more tangible. ---------- At the start of each blog, I share a metric called... “Subway rides to write this” ???? This metric shows that making content doesn’t need to be so difficult. You can find the time to create during everyday activities—like commuting to work. (1) My commute is 30 minutes (2) I take this commute 3 days/week = 6 times/week (there & back) (3) This gives me 3 extra hours/week I previously used this free time to listen to music. Now, I still listen to music, but I also type away in my notes app. ---------- Here's what I've written about so far: ?? Brainrot has reached the NBA… and I love it ?? Pizza, basketball, and my creative process ?? I'm basically a doomscrolling spiderman ?? Day in the Life of THE Regular Hooper ?? I let strangers crash at my apartment ?? Reality is a nightmare for dreamers ?? Level 1 vs. Level 1000 Networking ?? Airdrop is my love language ?? 2 years of being regular ??♂? I'm Here If any of these topics interest you, please read and consider subscribing to my publication, Daniel’s Due Diligence. You’ll get the inside scoop into my journey building Regular Hoops ?? Click below to read and support ?? https://lnkd.in/gBz79zvx (PS—you can hit "no thanks" if you'd like to read without subscribing). Swish, Danny

“Every single day” ?? Episode 14: Carlo Rabadam and Django ???? ---------- I met up with Carlo at Dean Playground in Brooklyn with his poodle, Django. Every morning at 7am, Carlo shoots the same 24 shots (s/o Kobe) no matter the weather conditions—rain, snow, or shine ?? I’d say he has that Mamba Mentality ?? And after getting the 24 shots up, Carlo and Django head to Prospect Park for off-leash hours. Carlo shared that he started this daily routine during the 2020 pandemic while going on dog walks. He figured why not bring a basketball with him too? As a self-proclaimed Regular Hooper, he highlights that this routine is not about breaking a sweat. Instead, it’s just about (1) seeing the ball go through the net and (2) setting the tone for the day ahead. ?It’s a form of meditation that he calls “Shooting Your Shot” And he brings that energy wherever he travels now—Hawaii, Greece, LA, etc. He emphasized the real MVP behind all of this is his wife Chantel (who may or may not enjoy his jokes) ???? At the end of the day, Carlo is a lifelong basketball player and fan. From watching the Kings & MJ to hooping late into the night with friends, basketball grew his goal-setting mentality and desire to be great. He's also proud to be Filipino ???? Today, Carlo is the Global Jordan Brand & Digital Marketing Lead at Nike. And recently worked with Jason Tatum and Zion Williamson. Although he never played in college or professionally, Carlo is really living his basketball dream… especially in NYC. But the real question is… Who’s winning the 1v1… Carlo or Django?? ???? ---------- Regular Hoops ?? filmed, edited, and produced this video. To learn more about the “Do You Still Hoop?” series, check out this LinkedIn post from the host, Daniel Aboul-Hassan ?? https://lnkd.in/g5vNxuvc

“I still get buckets” ?? Episode 13: Jarrel Harris (Co-Founder & Commissioner, Sunday Washed Club) ???? ---------- I met up with Jarrel at the "Washed Club Invitational"—an annual basketball tournament for SWC members. Jarrel shared how the community started in 2021 out of pandemic fatigue—since staying at home made him feel “washed.” So he decided to organize a weekly pickup basketball run for people looking to get back on the court. But SWC has a theme... Having worked as an NBA Writer at Sports Illustrated for 8 years, Jarrel wanted to use this community as a way to unite the sports industry ?? It’s even known as the “unofficial official media run” since a majority of SWC members work in sports media. This was well received from the start—growing from 6 to 60 hoopers in just TWO WEEKS… And it’s only continued to grow… ?? NBA players like Jalen Green, Obi Toppin & Langston Galloway have pulled up to hang at a run. And brands like PepsiCo (Gatorade), adidas, Microsoft (Xbox), Nike, Under Armour, and so many more have gotten involved. Being inside a gym is cool, but the SWC roots are outside—on the concrete—so I also hung out with Jarrel at an outdoor run on a different Sunday. Seeing the community-first mentality in both weeks stuck out the most. But don’t take my word for it, take the community’s ?? So, if you’re looking for a chill (but still competitive) basketball run to start the week, then Sunday Washed Club is the place to be. No more Sunday Scaries?? ?????? ---------- Regular Hoops ?? filmed, edited, and produced this video. To learn more about the “Do You Still Hoop?” series, check out this LinkedIn post from the host, Daniel Aboul-Hassan ?? https://lnkd.in/g5vNxuvc