ATLANTA — More than 130 girls from across metro Atlanta spent the week sharpening their basketball skills while exploring the world of technology as the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Academy wrapped up its fifth annual Lady Ballers Summer Hoop Fest powered by Google.
Hosted at Sutton Middle School, the four-day camp welcomed girls ages 8-15 for a unique experience that blended basketball instruction, STEM education, mentorship and leadership development. The event is part of the Hawks’ year-round Lady Ballers initiative, which aims to inspire the next generation of female athletes and innovators.
“Basketball and STEM share a powerful foundation rooted in critical thinking, problem solving and strategic application to gain a competitive advantage,” said Jon Babul, Atlanta Hawks Vice President of Basketball Programs. “Through our ongoing partnership with Google, we are inspiring young female athletes to embrace careers in technology and innovation while demonstrating how the leadership and problem-solving skills they sharpen on the court translate to opportunities for future success.”
Throughout the week, Hawks Youth Development coaches led campers through drills focused on shooting, ball handling, passing, defense and footwork while helping players build confidence and improve their overall basketball IQ through competitive game situations.
The camp also featured former Hawks guard Tony Delk, who shared his basketball journey and encouraged participants to continue learning both on and off the court.
Beyond basketball, campers participated in a mindfulness and meditation session led by Google employees. The workshop introduced breathing techniques and visualization exercises designed to help improve focus, reduce stress and promote mental wellness in sports, school and everyday life.
One of the week’s highlights was a panel discussion titled “Beyond the Court: How AI and Inclusivity Are Changing the Game.” Moderated by Maya Branch, Senior Manager of Global Partnership Activation for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, the discussion featured women leaders from both organizations.
Panelists included Google Program Manager of Compliance, Safety and Risk Management Otelia Hudson, Google Program Manager of Data Center Technology Liz Jones, and Hawks Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Kim Rometo. Together, they discussed how artificial intelligence is transforming sports and business while encouraging campers to pursue careers in technology and leadership.
“Our Lady Ballers program is where athletic confidence meets technical curiosity,” Rometo said. “Our goal is to prove that you don’t have to choose between being an athlete and being an innovator—you can be both.”
To celebrate the conclusion of camp, every participant received a co-branded Hawks and Google swag bag that included a backpack, portable power bank, meditation worksheet and water bottle. Campers were also treated to an energetic pep rally featuring members of Hawks Entertainment, including the ATL Hawks Dancers, Flight Crew and Harry the Hawk.
The Summer Hoop Fest built on the success of the Lady Ballers Spring Clinic held earlier this year, continuing the organization’s mission of combining athletics with academic enrichment, mentorship and career exploration.
By connecting young athletes with coaches, mentors and women working in STEM fields, the Hawks and Google continue to show that the skills learned on the basketball court—teamwork, resilience, leadership and problem-solving—can open doors far beyond the game.
