Basketball could keep kids in school.
13 years later, we've proven it works.
Our students complete high school at 5.3x the rate of their demographic
What started as one coach, one court, and a belief that sports could change lives has become a movement serving 2,500+ students across India.
Shaun Jayachandran, armed with an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and 20+ years of elite coaching experience, saw a crisis: talented kids in India were dropping out of school at alarming rates. Traditional education programs weren't working. But Shaun had a theory—basketball could provide the structure, encouragement, and hope these students needed. Crossover was born.
Hoops Creating Hope opened its first program in Chennai with 45 students. The model was simple but rigorous: basketball practice combined with mandatory study sessions. Every student had to show up, work hard, and stay in school. No exceptions.
250 students and our first Teach For India classroom. The model was expanding beyond just basketball courts—we were integrating directly into classrooms, proving that sports-based education worked at scale.
500 kids with a dozen Teach For India classrooms. What started as an experiment was now a movement. Schools wanted to partner with us. Teachers saw the results. Students were staying in school.
Our first cohort of students completed high school. The data was undeniable: 85% of HCH students advanced to the next grade level compared to just 16% for similar demographics. The theory was now proven. Basketball worked.
With proven results, HCH expanded to Bangalore. New courts. New students. Same commitment to excellence. Our coaching staff grew to include former college athletes who understood both the game and the stakes.
Even through a global pandemic, HCH launched programs in Hyderabad and reached our 1,500th student. We adapted with outdoor practices and remote study sessions. The mission never stopped.
Today, Hoops Creating Hope serves 2,500+ students across three major Indian cities. Our 85% high school completion rate remains consistent. Our students don't just graduate—they lead. They mentor. They come back as coaches. The cycle continues.
High school completion rate for similar demographics
Across India, millions of students from underserved communities drop out before completing high school. They lack structure, mentorship, and a reason to stay engaged.
Traditional education programs aren't enough. Tutoring alone doesn't keep kids motivated. Academic support without community fails.
These students have potential. They just need a shot.
High school completion rate for HCH students
Basketball provides what traditional programs can't: daily structure, immediate feedback, team accountability, and something students actually want to show up for.
Our three-part model—elite coaching, academic support, and life skills training—creates an environment where students thrive.
We don't just teach basketball. We use basketball to teach life.
Basketball isn't the end goal—it's the vehicle for transformation
Basketball is a non-common sport in India where girls start on equal footing with boys. No one has years of experience. Everyone begins together. This levels the playing field in ways traditional sports never could.
Growth happens outside your comfort zone. We celebrate bold attempts and smart failures. Take the shot. Try the move. Miss it? Good—that means you're pushing yourself. The classroom rewards this same courage.
We don't just coach players—we mentor whole people. Our staff knows their students' struggles, dreams, and family situations. When a student shows up, someone notices. When they're struggling, someone cares.
Our focus is high school completion, college access, and breaking cycles of poverty. One educated student changes their family's trajectory. That's generational impact—not just individual achievement.
We're not here to create professional athletes. We're here to create educated leaders who happen to love basketball. The goal isn't the NBA—it's graduation, college, careers, and community impact.
Every student is a leader in training. We develop captains on the court and change-makers in their communities. Leaders aren't born—they're built through opportunity and expectation.
Basketball doesn't see gender—only talent and heart. Our courts and classrooms are spaces where girls and boys compete, lead, and succeed on equal terms.
How you handle wins matters. How you handle losses matters more. We build students who show up on time, honor commitments, and lift up their teammates.
Basketball is five players moving as one. Success requires trust, communication, and sacrifice. These lessons transfer directly from the court to the classroom to life.
Call for the ball. Call out the screen. Speak up when you see something. Strong teams communicate constantly. We teach students to find their voice and use it.
2x TEDx Speaker
Leadership & Resilience
80+ College Athletes
Developed
M.Ed. Educational Leadership
13 Years
Serving India
85% Completion Rate
5.3x Demographic Average
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