A co‑ed elite squad known as Ethical Hoopers is set to make its debut at Hoopfest, the world’s largest 3‑on‑3 basketball tournament, bringing a fresh take on the game that prioritizes teamwork, fundamentals and sportsmanship.
A New Narrative for Basketball
The roster features Jack Appleby, Austin Nam, Gia Mancini and Caleb La‑Anyane, each a recognizable presence on social media who has built a following by sharing their unconventional approach to basketball.
Appleby, a New York‑based FIBA 3×3 player and former marketer, previously competed in Hoopfest with a professional FIBA 3×3 team called Hoop Forever 3X3, and when his overseas teammates were unavailable this year he assembled Ethical Hoopers to continue the mission.
Nam, who struggled with weight as a child and turned to basketball for enjoyment, met Mancini on a court in Washington, D.C., and the two creators left their full‑time jobs to produce basketball content full‑time, quickly amassing a sizable online audience.
Their shared philosophy centers on inclusivity and empowerment, a deliberate counterpoint to the confrontational, isolation‑focused highlights that dominate much of basketball content on social platforms.
Appleby has spoken about the outsized influence basketball influencers wield over the sport’s future, and Ethical Hoopers aims to demonstrate that a collaborative style can thrive on a stage as massive as Hoopfest, which draws roughly a quarter of a million participants.
The team’s invitation to Hoopfest was sparked by Appleby’s own experience of the tournament’s unique culture, and both Nam and Mancini expressed excitement at the prospect of showcasing their team‑first approach to a global audience.