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Desire, Intensity, Determination

6/8/2017

24 Comments

 
by Bryan Flynn
Picture
On May 7, Amateur Athletic Union traveling basketball team D.I.D. Hoopers, which Lloyd Ross founded two years ago as a way to mentor and help kids, played the team Mississippi Force. Photo courtesy Imani Khayyam
A basketball player in a white and orange jersey dribbles down the court, dodging opposing players. His blue and white sneakers squeak across the court, as his mentor looks on.


Two years ago, Lloyd Ross started D.I.D Hoopers as way of mentoring and giving a positive outlook on life to kids from ages 9 to 15 in Jackson. D.I.D., which is an Amateur Athletic Union traveling basketball team, now has 50 kids in the program, with seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade teams.
PicturePhoto courtesy Imani Khayyam
"This started as a way to give kids opportunities for kids that don't have supportive parents for various reasons," Ross says.
"Some parents have to work long hours or don't care, and that leaves these kids in the street, where trouble finds them because they don't have other places to go."



Ross says the mentoring program uses basketball to teach life lessons. The name D.I.D standing for desire, intensity and
determination. "Every child can be successful if they have desire to want to be great, intensity that gives them fire inside, and determination to do what you have to do to make it in life" Ross says.



"A kid doesn't' have to be the smartest, most liked, or best-looking to succeed in life. D.I.D gives strength and power to succeed, and gives kids what they need and something to live up too."


Ross graduated from Dillard University in New Orleans, receiving his occupational therapy degree in 2007. From 2008 to 2011, he taught science at Whitten Middle School in Jackson.


Ross is passionate about his program. He says he draws inspiration from Psalm 28:7, which says, "The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts him and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and song when I praise him."

PicturePhoto courtesy Imani Khayyam
That scripture has significant meaning for Ross, as he feels his calling is to be the strength and shield for at-risk kids in Jackson.


"Children are my ministry, and I want to shield them from the streets and give them strength to be great," Ross says. "It takes time for some of these kids to trust me and let me help them."


His kids know that they have to do the work in the classroom to get on the court, so tutors from the Yates Save-A-Seed Foundation in Jackson have helped the students. He provides tutors to kids that may need extra help to be successful students.


"One of my kids fell a grade level behind," Ross says. "He was able to get in a school program, and our tutoring has helped him catch back up and he will graduate with his class in the future. Another kid ended up in alternative school in the seventh grade. We gave him an opportunity, and he has worked on his schooling and gotten his life on track. It took him losing basketball and our team letting him play to know how much he missed it. He learned to use basketball to do better with his life."


But Ross says some of the kids need more than just help in the classroom. Other players struggle with issues from their upbringing.


"I have a kid that has bounced around from home to home. He has anger issues and a lot that is going on in his home life," Ross says. "We have worked with him on his anger and let him know that there are better ways of handling things such as praying and turning over some troubles to God. The coaches have encouraged him to breathe and relax when things don't go his way. This young man is still a work in progress, but he is learning to control his anger from a rough upbringing."


For more information on D.I.D. Hoopers, find the team on Facebook.

24 Comments
Kenny johnson
6/9/2017 04:39:44 pm

They have a great organization ... i have been watching them for sometime now the D.I.D Hoopers are really on a come up now

Reply
Coach fenigan
6/9/2017 04:44:41 pm

Great team i been watching them since last year and i really can't wait until some of the guys get up in age so i can try to convince them to go to hinds and play for my cousin . I really like there big gaurd that they have from jim hill .

Reply
Tomas stokes
6/9/2017 04:47:41 pm

I think you are talking about deonta griffin but he is more than a gaurd he can play the 1-5

Reply
Jeff johnson
6/9/2017 05:06:35 pm

I like number 30 and 15 but they got real bad attitudes

Reply
Bill
6/9/2017 05:15:13 pm

You talking about the thomas kid from wingfield aka beast .... i dont even think he plays for the school

Reply
Mike Krzyzewski link
6/9/2017 05:32:40 pm

I watched # 23 known as Deonta Griffin and he can play all positions on the court I'll go to some of his high school games and watch him play and see what he do

Reply
Timothy hayward
6/9/2017 05:33:28 pm

Thats the team with them lanier boys #15 nice . He is a sharp shooter

Reply
Tom rhodes
6/9/2017 05:47:01 pm

I think he's going to mra

Reply
John Lucas
6/9/2017 09:16:52 pm

Number 15 & 23 are outstanding to me those guys are going to be great , just need to #stayhumble

Reply
Brandon Calhoun
6/9/2017 10:41:57 pm

#15 went hard

Reply
Jarvius
6/9/2017 10:43:16 pm

#15 an outstanding player he has an nice jump shot and can shot it with confidence and going to be great stay humble

Reply
Lonnie wilkins
6/10/2017 07:32:12 am

How do i donate to this organization

Reply
Jimer roberts
6/10/2017 07:36:55 am

What school does #5 play for ??? I seen him dunk like 3 times at in the state tournament.

Reply
John hopkins
6/10/2017 07:42:09 am

What ever happen to that quick gaurd they had in city league? I think his name is studaway. He's real nice. But its still jackson pride over everything
#citychamps

Reply
James
6/10/2017 07:45:29 am

He play for the some white and blue team now i'm not sure of the name of the team because the last time i seen them play they didn't have names on there jersey.

Reply
Coach lumpkin
6/10/2017 07:52:33 am

Great organization must respect to coach ross and coach kevin. They are really good there 8th grade team whooped my undefeated 8th grade team in our tournament last month and won the whole show. #rematch ready #setitupcoach

Reply
Tim ward
6/10/2017 07:54:40 am

Who do i need to talk to about donating

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Cheryl
6/10/2017 07:09:54 pm

Email didhoopers@gmail.com to get info donating

Reply
Taylor Armstrong
6/10/2017 07:29:33 pm

I seen them play against my son on the MBA WarHawks number 15 is nice i like the attitude he has for the game

Reply
Coach Ellis
6/10/2017 07:35:25 pm

The Organization is great i seen them play in the State AAU tournament at the MBA they where bad coached but 15&23 is a great DUO i look foward seeing them playing college ball

Reply
Coach West
6/10/2017 07:45:26 pm

Lots of respect goes out to coach ross and coach kevin with building the organization they got 3 key players that i love watching #15,#30,#23 stay humble young men

Reply
ted
6/14/2017 06:59:23 pm

I've known Coach Ross for years. Outstanding young man with a great heart. He is truly doing it for the right reasons. We need more coaches like Lloyd and Kevin.

Reply
Roshunda
6/24/2017 04:29:59 pm

Awesome Job!

Reply
Tim shaw
12/14/2017 09:17:50 pm

They need to come to memphis and play ... mississippi dont have no hoopers

Reply



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