PeacePlayers International

"I just tried to shut my brain and do it” 🧠

When 14-year-old Omar arrived at the PeacePlayers Friendship Games last summer in Detroit (hosted in partnership with the Detroit Pistons), he was “very shy.” He didn’t know what to expect.

It started with basketball - especially the 3-on-3 tournament - but what stayed with him most was meeting young people his age from around the world.

He really clicked with the team from Northern Ireland. “They had a good sense of humor. And they were pretty nice.”

On the sidelines, the girls from the Middle East taught him Hebrew and Arabic. And then it hit him: “You really are able to see how similar people are, even though we’re in completely different countries.”

Today, he’s still in touch with friends from Northern Ireland, the Middle East, South Africa, and Detroit.

His advice for getting out of your head? “Just be yourself. Go talk to people. Have a great time.” ✨

What’s your best tip for getting out of your comfort zone?

PeacePlayers United States

“If I didn’t play basketball, I wouldn’t know where I would be right now.” 🏀

Sipheshile ('Sphe') (19) grew up in Umlazi, outside of Durban, and started playing basketball in Grade 5, following his older sister’s lead.

During Sphe's basketball career, women coaches, including his own sister, were a guiding force. Even though in South Africa, basketball coaching is dominated by men, at PeacePlayers, women coaches mentor both boys and girls.

“Being coached by a woman is different,” Sphe says.

Coaches like his sister Olwethu and Thandeka pushed him to think beyond the court and held him accountable in school too: “You can't play a game without your [report card] that shows great progress and that says you’ve passed at school.”

Today, Sphe coaches a girls’ team at Berea Primary School, passing forward what his coaches gave him.

Share with us: who helped shape your path?

ICYMI 👀 PeacePlayers’ Virtual Learning Hub is live!

We asked ourselves: what are the most essential lessons that truly elevate players, coaches, and educators beyond the game? 💡

The result 👉 PeacePlayers' Virtual Learning Hub, bite-sized, practical modules designed to help you lead with confidence, positivity, and respect—on and off the court.

🌍 The Hub is part of the project “Enhancing Global Connections,” supported by The Stevens Initiative, which is housed at the Aspen Institute.

Ready to level up? Learn more here: https://hubs.la/Q048tbVl0

Our thoughts are with the people of the Middle East, especially our participants, coaches, staff and leadership, who are once again caught up in the throes of war. Now and always, we hope for - and work towards - peace. A peace that is more than just the absence of violence, but also a space for all voices to be heard, and for all people to thrive. And we believe that, by using basketball to bridge divides, develop leaders and change perceptions, we are making strides towards that goal.

Pictured here: Palestinian and Israeli PeacePlayers playing, dancing, laughing, and learning together at an overnight leadership retreat just a little over a month ago.

Today on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the strength, leadership, and resilience of women and girls everywhere.

At the same time, we recognize that this is a difficult moment for many women around the world who are facing conflict and uncertainty. Their courage reminds us why our work for peace and opportunity matters so deeply.

Through our global girls campaign, When Peace Wins, we’re gathering support for programs that uplift girls and women year-round—creating spaces where they can lead, grow, and build a more peaceful future.

💜 Join us in supporting girls and women around the world. Donate, share, and learn more through the When Peace Wins campaign: https://hubs.la/Q045ZQNV0

Meet the committee members of the When Peace Wins Global Girls Campaign—leaders across the sports ecosystem who are actively championing opportunities for girls and young women in communities facing the greatest barriers. By bringing their expertise, influence, and dedication to this work, they are helping advance a shared vision: that sport can build peace and create pathways for girls to lead, both on and off the court. Together, they are driving this campaign forward and we couldn’t be more proud to work alongside them.

For this year's MLK weekend, PeacePlayers Brooklyn did something new - a 3v3 "Battle of the Brands" tournament that brought together youth, coaches, board members, supporters, and corporate partners. Through the tournament, people from all sides of our movement came together to compete, connect, and reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And the competition was fierce!

We were proud to have year-round partners like Nike, and Foot Locker, alongside a newer partner like GameChanger on the court with us.

Huge thanks to our board members who showed up with real presence - and to our donors and sponsors, including Ernst & Young and BurgherGray LLP.

📸🎥 Jordin De La Rosa