SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The 5th Annual $10K Youth Basketball Tournament at Wilson Park has become a significant event for Syracuse’s youth, offering more than just basketball competition. The tournament, which continued this weekend, has evolved into a platform that engages vulnerable youth through mentorship, workshops, and life skills development.
This year’s events include training camps and sessions on financial literacy, health and wellness, and conflict resolution, all aimed at helping kids succeed both on and off the court.
“I say it every year every single year is that these kids just need an opportunity,” said Brandon Hanks, the tournament organizer. “A lot of these kids are less fortunate they grew up in environments that weren’t the best a lot of them don’t have both parents at home and they need someone or something to keep them happy and out of trouble we just try to have something for them to keep them going.”
Next weekend, the tournament will feature the awarding of the $5,000 Brexialee Torres Ortiz Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship honors the memory of a young life lost too soon to gun violence in 2023 and reflects the community’s ongoing commitment to youth safety.