The Atlanta Hawks spent the summer taking basketball beyond the walls of State Farm Arena and directly into communities across Metro Atlanta.
The Atlanta Hawks Basketball Academy wrapped up its 2026 Community Court Tour, an eight-week summer initiative that provided more than 1,600 young athletes with free basketball clinics, wellness activities and an opportunity to connect with Hawks coaches and former players.
Now in its sixth year, the tour visited 17 neighborhoods across Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton and Gwinnett counties, reaching kids ages five to 16 at local parks and recreation centers.
But the Community Court Tour was about more than teaching kids how to dribble, pass and shoot.
The Hawks used basketball as a way to encourage active lifestyles, build confidence and give young athletes access to quality sports experiences regardless of their skill level.
“Our Community Court Tour reflects our belief that every neighborhood should have the opportunity to experience the game in a meaningful way,” said Jon Babul, Vice President of Basketball Programs for the Atlanta Hawks. “By bringing basketball directly into communities, we’re removing barriers to participation and creating opportunities for young people to discover everything the game has to offer.”
At each stop, participants rotated through basketball stations focused on fundamental skills while also taking part in cardio challenges, agility drills and guided stretching exercises.
Former Hawks players also made special appearances throughout the tour, giving participants the chance to interact with athletes who once wore an Atlanta uniform and hear firsthand about the importance of staying active, working hard and developing healthy habits.
And the young hoopers didn’t leave empty-handed.
Each participant received a Hawks-branded basketball, T-shirt and additional team merchandise to take home and continue working on their game.
Select stops also included wellness experiences provided through CareSource, including nutritious smoothies, reusable water bottles and activities with CareSource mascot Cuddles designed to make learning about health and wellness fun for the entire family.
“At CareSource, we believe in meeting our members where they are,” said David Donohue, President of CareSource Georgia. “By connecting with local youth and families through the Hawks Community Court Tour, we were able to promote the importance of staying active and building healthy habits that support long-term wellness in our communities.”
The numbers show just how much the program has grown. Since the Community Court Tour began, more than 9,000 young athletes across Metro Atlanta have participated.
For the Hawks Basketball Academy, that impact doesn’t end when summer does. Through year-round programming, the organization continues using basketball to bring communities together, introduce young people to the game and create opportunities for the next generation.
Because sometimes the biggest assist a team can make happens off the court.
