Hello, this is Yuri Nakajima, and I am the founder of this website. Please let me introduce myself and my basketball journey in this section.
Beginning of my basketball life
I was born and raised in Japan with my twin brother, and I am currently 17 years old in 2025. I fell in love with basketball through a TV screen in 2015, watching CP3 and the GSW Trio in their prime.
I had touched a ball before then, but my true basketball journey began in 2016, the year I started playing NBA 2K16 and visited the Staples Center in LA to watch the Lob City against the Wizards with John Wall and Bradley Beal. Without the NBA, I believe basketball would not be the basketball that I love so much today. Back when elementary school, my daily routine was simple: school, basketball, NBA 2K, and sleep.
Basketball was not just something happening around my twin brother and me. It was culture, including music, fashion, history, and many other factors closely related to other industries.
Memorable NBA Experiences
Throughout my basketball life so far, I think my brother and I are the luckiest people. After visiting the game in 2015, we attended a couple of events in Japan where NBA players visited, and we collected some autographs from players like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Danny Green. I also attended the event with Kemba Walker. Fortunately, I had multiple chances to visit the Chase Center and the Oracle Arena. It was unforgettable when Kevin Durant stopped his vehicle after a loss just to give me an autograph. Two years ago, I brought Moses’ journey and got his! He has been showing a great passion for the game.
Playing and Coaching
My player career was not that bright, though. I experienced a training camp by Lace ‘Em Up in Salt Lake City in Grade 5. I gave up pursuing a career as a professional athlete when I entered middle school, but I coached my school teams in middle school and high school. My experience of watching the NBA every night on TV, not just checking highlights or stats, helped me understand the game as both a player and a coach.
Passion Beyond the Court
After entering high school, I started volunteering as an assistant coach in a local skill training clinic to share the mentality and lessons cultivated throughout my career. Also, during my one year of study abroad in Canada, I volunteered in a club team for young players.
My passion for basketball was growing, and finally, I organized my own basketball clinic during summer break in 2025. One thing I always think about is that social media has changed the learning style. Today, it is easy to find wonderful coach or basketball content on Instagram or YouTube, such as I Love Basketball TV and B Bal Hghlts. However, at the same time, players can struggle to master each skill in a game context. This is mostly why I conducted in-person sessions for youth.
Why Hoop 4 Purpose
Likewise, people get easy access to the NBA, like watching highlights on social media. It is a good thing that more and more people pay attention to the NBA and sports. On the other hand, I believe it is important to share how the NBA as a whole strives for the community and social good. Each player has his or her own story and background as an athlete and as a person. Each franchise has a deep connection with the local community through its history. I strongly feel now is the time to highlight these NBA’s hidden efforts that we would barely know through tracking highlights or stats on social media.
Through this website, I would like to introduce another perspective on being a sports fan, deeply engaging in the NBA’s background and players’ motivation.
In addition, it would be a great pleasure if I could encourage people who are not pursuing a professional career on the court, but still desire to relate to sports, to seek a career in the sports industry by showing the impact of sports off the court.
Share anything about yourself!!
What is your favorite basketball moment? Who inspired you?
I would like you to share anything from your basketball journey!!
Hoop 4 Purpose 
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