When it comes to youth basketball in New York City, Fastbreak Kids and Basketball Stars of New York are two stand-out programs that work to offer kids a fun environment with a focus on the training, technique, and fundamentals. Recently, the two organizations have come together to offer some really exciting joint programs for kids–including a 4-on-4 basketball league that is much more pressure-free than many competitive leagues on the scene.
We caught up with Dave Brown of Basketball Stars of New York and Lonny Levine of Fastbreak Kids to get the scoop on their joint programming, as well as what’s happening with each of their respective companies this spring and summer.
Fastbreak Kids and Basketball Stars of New York are two established and well-regarded basketball programs for city kids. You would seem natural competitors. But you’ve established a few joint programs that are taking off. When and how did you first realize that you could be teammates, too?
Dave Brown: Our ideals as youth basketball organizations has, and always will be, to make every decision in the best interests of the children. We felt that there were certain areas that if we worked together, it would benefit the children’s experience at certain programs. Thankfully, it has and we have been able to maintain friendly competition throughout our most competitive programming and especially our travel and AAU teams.
Tell us about the Upper West Side gym that you’ve rehabilitated together. When did you open up there and what kinds of programs are you running there?
DB: Every youth program dreams of having their own space to offer the right programs for the kids. We started to look for Temples that had extra space in them—because of my deep roots in the Jewish basketball community and having played internationally in the Maccabi games twice—and came across Young Israel of the West Side. Never having had any experience in renovating a gym, I turned to Lonny and he provided guidance in how to do things and the more we talked, it became obvious, his expertise in young children’s programming for ages 2-5, along with his expertise in afterschool basketball classes, was something that the space needed to offer for the community. At BSNY, we were doing so much private training that we needed space in the afternoons for serious training without interference of other activities in a gym or being weather dependent. The space is perfect for both. In the early afternoons we run joint after school basketball classes while the evenings are left for more serious training for both programs.
In an era where organized sports dominate kids play (with classes, travel teams, camps, etc.), together you’ve brought back a concept that is a little bit schoolyard and a little bit organized: A 4-on-4 basketball league, where kids can come in with their own teams from their school or with other friends. How’d that come about and how’s it going? The Knicks are a sponsor of the program, too–how did that come about?
DB: We do so much training and teaching at BSNY and Fastbreak that we felt that a program that allowed kids to simply just play games was necessary. It is also important, even though the games are competitive, that they really are pressure-free, which the kids thirst for as pressures these days are everywhere. Lonny had a long-standing relationship with the Knicks and facilitated their involvement. Obviously, that is just something we had to be a part of.
Right now, I’m sure, like most programs, you’re promoting your summer camps. Are you doing camps together too?
DB: Together, we run camps together starting in July through August. We have had NBA players come in the past, but the fabric of the camps are really instruction based and led by our expert coaches. The kids enjoy them as much as anything else we offer. We also each run camps on our own that we run independently, but with so many kids gone for the summer, being able to run a camp that meets our standards, we work together to get the right amount of kids so the camp works.
Separately, for parents who aren’t familiar, can you each share a bit about your background and how you came to establish your respective programs. And, please both of you, tell us your favorite NBA player (both now and in history)!
DB: After spending time working for Camp Winadu, Five-Star Basketball, Collegiate School, John Jay College, Susquehanna University, and NETS Basketball, my wife saw my frustrations in being forced to do things a certain way that were not symmetric with my ideals and encouraged me to branch out on my own. My favorite NBA players in history are Patrick Ewing, Anthony Mason, and Charles Oakley. They embody the team unity and toughness that I want all of our teams to have including the Dwight School where I coach. As for today’s NBA, Tim Duncan is my favorite—he also embodies the characteristics I want our kids to have. Granted, I am 6’7” so I am partial to the big men!
Lonny Levine: The idea for Fastbreak came about 10 years ago while my son was 8. We had joined some of the local parent led leagues in basketball flag football and soccer. As much as their intention was in the right place, I believed there was a lack of real coaching and teaching the fundamentals of the sports that he was interested in. Fastbreak grew out of the need of the parents and the kids who wanted fundamental sports teaching and mentorship in a safe positive environment. My favorite old-timer is Walt Frazier who brought so much joy to me as a teenager. My current favorite is Steph Curry. His hard work and dedication is transcending the game of basketball. He’s a joy to watch and learn from.
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Tell us something about your individual programs for people who aren’t’ familiar.
DB: At BSNY, we make every effort to help kids improve their skills on the court, self-esteem, and fitness. Our coaches have dedicated their lives to working with kids in the game they love and their character is what makes our program special.
LL: At Fastbreak people know us as primarily a basketball company but the fact is that 40 percent of our sports’ programing consists of afterschool and weekend flag football, lacrosse, and multi-sport programs, along with specialty camps and clinics.
Fastbreak also offers all-sports programs for little kids, right? What ages is that for and what’s that all about?
LL: Our Fastbreak “KIDS” business is our most exciting and largest growth area. We are able to introduce boys and girls ages 2-5 a variety of sports over the course of the semester in our weekly classes or at our camps. Each season we choose 3-4 sports for the group to participate in that rotate every 3-4 weeks. By teaching multiple sports, such as baseball, football, soccer, basketball, tennis, lacrosse, and floor hockey allows the child and the parent a well-rounded sports experience. It also makes it easier to see what sport the child naturally gravitates to so the parents can help guide their sports future accordingly.
What’s BSNY’s camp-within-a-camp concept all about?
DB: We visit about 10-12 camps a summer and run a mini-basketball camp for the kids that are looking for a special basketball experience. The counselors at camp often participate and learn some great new drills from us and the kids have a blast when we run our 3-on-3 tournaments and always go crazy for some of our autographed memorabilia that our coaches get from their friends who play in the NBA. The camp owners love the program as opposed to bringing in a NBA player for an hour or two to just visit.
Can we expect more joint efforts from both of you in the future? Or right now are you primarily focused on growing the UWS program and the 4-on-4?
DB: Having a 13-month-old daughter, I want to advance our girls’ program, and Lonny and I have been discussing ways to do this that will work for the girls. We already run the largest travel boys’ basketball league in New York together with over 100 teams at Basketball City. My daughter needs a place to play and I believe Lonny and I need each other to get things rolling so the girls have the same amazing experience that we provide the boys with.
To learn more, visit fastbreakkids.com & basketballstars.com! Young Israel of the West Side is located at 210 West 91st Street.
