Dave Hopla uses Cavs pregame to launch youth initiative
The NBA shooting coach met with children at Rocket Arena to kick off the Pop Life Youth Initiative, a program aimed at connecting kids in underserved areas with mentors.
By Alyssa Parker ·
Dozens of children gathered at Rocket Arena center court Friday night for a basketball session before the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the Philadelphia 76ers. The event marked the launch of the Pop Life Youth Initiative.
Renowned NBA shooting coach Dave Hopla led the group, using the sport to teach lessons on confidence and discipline. He told the young athletes to ignore external criticism, particularly from social media, and focus on their own goals. Hopla stated, "I hope that they realize that they can achieve anything that they really put their mind to and eliminate all the negativity."
The initiative is designed to provide experiences and mentors to kids in underserved neighborhoods. It is run by the JODA Project, the nonprofit arm of the Pop Life wellness center in Cleveland. The organization is named after the center's late founder, Jack Mueller, also known as Joda.
Sophia Webb, a mother attending the event, expressed support for the program's focus on empowering young people. She noted that her family values these opportunities highly. Webb said, "My family means everything and for them to be here and engage in this type of experience is wonderful."
The children spent time shooting around on the main floor before the pregame celebration. The gathering served as a practical introduction to the JODA Project's mission of fostering growth beyond the court.
The evening concluded as the Cavaliers began their game against the 76ers, following the youth initiative's debut at the arena.
