About

The Athletes First Foundation is a 501-c3, non-profit organization that works with a vision to influence the lives of athletes on many levels. From providing positive role models, teaching basketball fundamentals and team concepts, to exposing elite athletes on a national platform—Athletes First is preparing young people for college level competition in and out of the sport’s arena.

Since its inception in 1998, Athletes First has had over 50 student-athletes move on to participate in athletics at the collegiate level. This is evidence that this organization is providing opportunities for Oklahoma athletes to enhance and display their skills nationally—but also the opportunity to further their education—which opens a world of possibilities for these young adults.

This is not merely a summer league basketball program. This is an organization that is committed to young people—providing them the best opportunities to showcase and develop their skills and learn the essential lessons of life, competition, and hard work.

Athletes First is truly enabling Oklahoma athletes to go to the next level!

History

The Athletes First boys basketball program was founded in 1998 by Dr. Calvin Johnson in order to provide opportunity for our Oklahoma athletes to enhance and display their skills nationally. Dr. Johnson had a vision for providing opportunities for young men to succeed not only in the athletic arena, but in life as well.

Athletes First has become one of the most successful youth sports programs in America. As a member of the prestigious “Nike travel team” (there are only 40 such in teams in America), our players and coaches are provided the opportunity to compete against the elite teams and programs in America.

Athletes First came into its own in 2000 with a Final Four finish at the Adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas, NV and followed that up by defeating the national powerhouse Riverside Hawks of New York in the final of the Nike Showcase in Orlando, FL.

In 2007, the tradition continued as Athletes First defeated the Birmingham Stars to win the AAU National Showcase Championship in Orlando, Florida.

Through the years Athletes First has well established itself as a nationally recognized program with numerous other accomplishments.

Just last year—2007 season:

• National AAU Showcase Champion
• Final Four Nike Memorial Day Classic
• Three players invited to participate in the Nike Hoop Jamboree
• Three players invited to participate in the Nike Global Challenge
• Xavier Henry invited to participate in the Kobe Bryant Camp
• Daniel Orton invited to participate in the Amare Stoudamire
• Kyle Hardrick invited to participate in the Amare Stoudamire
• Three players invited to participate in the Lebron James Camp
• Three players invited to participate in the NBA Players Assoc. Camp

Since 1998, Athletes First has had over 57 student-athletes proceed to pursue collegiate level athletics.—and at least 4 high school coaches receive opportunities to coach at the collegiate level.

Vision—

• To inspire competitors of every age and skill level to develop their physical and competitive abilities and to create private as well as public support for physical fitness and athletic training

Mission—

• To serve as positive role models for athletes and coaches
• To inspire athletes and coaches to use sports as a vehicle to influence others to accept the challenge and  commitment to say “No” to alcohol, drugs, and the worldly lifestyle that is so prevalent in today’s schools

Objectives—

• To participate in the exposure events that will allow the athletes to display their team and individual skills
• To provide an opportunity for each athlete not only to receive a college scholarship, but to put them at a college/university that best suits their athletic and academic skills

Goals—

• Promote physical fitness and sports activities as a means of developing a healthy life-style and a drug free environment for youth
• Provide athletes state-wide with an opportunity to demonstrate the spirit of competitiveness and sportsmanship nationally
• Improve leadership skills and self-esteem
• Develop ethical and moral values