The Northeast Ohio Basketball Association

The mission of the Northeast Ohio Basketball Association is to mentor and build character in the lives of youth through the sport of basketball. Our purpose is to use basketball to teach the life skills necessary to become productive and successful members of society.

Meet the Director

Dru Joyce II
(Northeast Ohio Basketball Association Founder)
Named National Coach of the Year
by USA Today.

In 1995 my childhood dream to coach was reborn. The only difference was the sport. As a child I thought I would coach the sport I loved football but as an adult my dream became tied to my son’s love for basketball.

I jumped at the idea of helping my son realize his dream. As a Christian I knew this could be a very powerful ministry tool. So the Northeast Ohio Basketball Association was formed with the idea of using basketball to bring kids from all walks of life together on the common ground of sport. 

From the very beginning I believed that if I taught the kids how to play, winning would take care of itself. This belief was the foundational principle upon which the association was built.

In teaching kids how to play I understood that the core values of integrity – honoring truth, sacrifice – giving up your needs for the good of the team, discipline – making the right decision on how we would spend our time and talents, respect – for teammates, coaches, opponents, and the game could not be separated but had to be incorporated in all I did.

Respectfully,

Dru Joyce II