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Who We Are
Hoop Dreams of America is an organization that strives to enhance and strengthen children’s physical tactical, and analytical skills through basketball. Hoop Dreams is a BASKETBALL ACADEMY that teaches children the fundamentals of the game, while encouraging personal growth. We focus on improving their physical abilities such as foot work, hand eye coordination, speed, agility and physical strength. Our mission is to instill the values of hard work, dedication, teamwork, integrity, respect, and perseverance through the game of basketball. Children are encouraged to begin our program from as young as three years old because it will not only facilitate the individual technical development of each player, but will also facilitate their interactions with other children from an early age.
With RECREATIONAL, COMPETITIVE, and TRAVEL BALL teams, all participants are encouraged to reach their highest potential. Academy sessions begin with warm-up period where we stretch and perform different types of running exercises. The warm-up is followed by dividing children into groups where they are taught a wide variety of skill intensive drills. Before the end of the sessions, children are able to apply these skills to help emphasize the importance of dribbling, passing, and ball mastery. Frequent water breaks are taken to maintain a proper level of hydration. Team participants in recreational, competitive, and travel ball leagues engage in extensive athletic training and conditioning. All of our sessions are structured for the development of physical fitness and character building. Hoop Dreams prides itself in the encouragement of children, and the enhancement of a positive self-esteem in each of our young athletes. Through HARD WORK and DEDICATION, we continue to grow and nurture our HOOP DREAMS FAMILY!
Our Philosophy
Hoops Dreams strives to develop and enhance, through the game of basketball, the skills that children need to succeed as future leaders in our world; to develop positive skills such as listening, teamwork, camaraderie, and the improvement of physical fitness; to encourage athletic competition at the highest level and to strive to teach lifetime leadership on and off of the court; to promote outstanding citizenship through inward and outward growth, character development and leadership training.
John Abreu
Owner John Abreu is a Christopher Columbus graduate who attended Florida International University.
Hoops Dreams strives to develop and enhance, through the game of basketball, the skills that children need to succeed as future leaders in our world; to develop positive skills such as listening, teamwork, camaraderie, and the improvement of physical fitness; to encourage athletic competition at the highest level and to strive to teach lifetime leadership on and off of the court; to promote outstanding citizenship through inward and outward growth, character development and leadership training.
Our Coaches
Coaches all have a high level of experience in working with children and in developing good positive young attitudes. Coaches are all DCF (Department of Children and Families) certified. Before hired, every coach must go through the phase 2 fingerprinting process, and a 2-week training period before working with children.
Ariana Aratbig
Ariana Arabitg brings over 10 years of coaching experience to the court, working with athletes from the elementary level all the way through college. She began her coaching journey developing young players, focusing on fundamental skills and building a strong foundation for their growth. Over the years, she has expanded her expertise, coaching both boys’ and girls’ teams at various competitive levels.Ariana has coached at St. Thomas University, gaining valuable collegiate-level experience, and served as Head Coach at Coral Reef High School, where she led and developed student-athletes both on and off the court. She currently coaches at Hoop Dreams, continuing her mission to help players reach their highest potential.Specializing in basketball skills training and strength and conditioning, Ariana is passionate about developing well-rounded athletes, instilling discipline, confidence, and a love for the game. In addition to coaching, she is the owner and operator of her own adult and youth basketball league in Miami, creating opportunities for players of all ages to compete, grow, and build community through the game.
Lisandro Chamizo
Coach Lilo brings passion, experience, and leadership to the Hoop Dreams program. A former Hoop Dreams player himself, Coach Chamizo has spent the past six years coaching and developing athletes both on and off the court.He is currently the Head Coach at Mater Brickell Academy, where he continues to build a competitive and disciplined basketball culture. Prior to that, he served as the Head Coach at International Studies, helping student-athletes grow their skills and love for the game.In addition to coaching, Coach Chamizo has refereed for the past seven years, currently officiating at both the high school and college levels. His combined experience as a player, coach, and referee gives him a unique perspective on the game—emphasizing fundamentals, respect, and basketball IQ in every session.
Mark Strickalnd
Mark Strickland AKA "Pogoman" is a retired American professional basketball player who played for the National Basketball Association (NBA) for ten seasons, four which were spent with the Miami Heat. The other six years were split between Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks.
In addition to playing in the NBA, Strickland played seven seasons internationally in the professional Euro leagues in; China, Dubai, Jordan, Quatar, Lebanon, France and Puerto Rico where he lead his team to a championship.
Mark has studied, played and trained with Hall of Fame coaches such as; Travis Grant, John Chaney, Pat Riley, George Karl, Don Nelson and Larry Brown. With those skills Mark went on to coach high school, college, and the NBA D-League (developmental league). Through his basketball experiences Mark has taken pointers from each mentor and molded a blue print for success within professional, college, prep and high school basketball.
Mark is an active member of the National Basketball Retired Players Association "NBRPA". In 2015, Mark Strickland was the master mind behind the launch of the National Basketball Retired Players Association and Cancer Treatment Centers of America Partnership to Increase Awareness of Prostate Cancer. The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) and Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) are partnering to raise awareness of early detection screenings.
Mark and his wife Tomi are the first family to raise awareness and funds for The Ara Initiative, a mission to provide universal access to clean drinking water to the children in the United States.