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'Playing for Peace' basketball tournament aims to reduce youth violence in Indianapolis

The tournament was created by New B.O.Y. (New Breed of Youth), a youth violence prevention group in Indianapolis.

SPEEDWAY, Ind. — While hundreds of basketball players in the "Playing for Peace" tournament are getting ready for their championship game, their coaches brought them all together to remind them this is more than the game.

"This is 20% basketball, 80% character development," said Kareem Hines, founder of New B.O.Y.

This basketball tournament was created by New B.O.Y. (New Breed of Youth), a youth violence prevention group in Indianapolis. This is a six-week tournament where a trophy is not the only thing these boys can win.

"Because of the uptick in violence, we decided to theme the league," Hines said. "It gives us an opportunity to use basketball to talk about peace, to talk about conflict resolution in our young people."

Credit: Anna Chalker/WTHR
Young basketball players sit on the bench during the "Playing for Peace" basketball tournament at The Factory Indy in Speedway, Feb. 10, 2024.

The players learn more than basketball skills at practice — they also learn skills they can use in any aspect of their lives.

"They helped me bring my self-esteem up, they helped me prep for the game and they are always there to talk to me when I am feeling sad," player Isaac Simonian said.

While New B.O.Y. has a variety of mentorship programs, this tournament has become a home away form home for the players.

"It's like a family. We got people on probation, we got people not going home to their families or they are in residential facilities," player Carter Ballard said.

Credit: Anna Chalker/WTHR
Trophies on display during the "Playing for Peace" tournament put on by New B.O.Y. at The Factory Indy in Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024.

The coaches may not know where their players go after the game, but they hope their mentorship inspires them.

"Sports can lead to conversations, conversations can lead to changes in behavior, changes in behavior can lead to changes in character," Hines said.

The basketball tournament prepares these kids to not only become better players, but also better people in their community.

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