Our Story: Coach Manny & Crossover Basketball

Crossover Basketball was founded by Coach Manny Lopez, a lifelong athlete, coach, and mentor with a passion for using basketball as a tool to shape lives.

As a 6th grader, Manny was cut from his middle school basketball team—a moment that could have crushed his love for the game. To make things tougher, his single mother did not have the financial means to put him on a travel or club team, so the opportunities to play at a higher level simply weren’t there.

But instead of giving up, Manny turned that setback into fuel. He worked tirelessly on his game anywhere he could—at the park, in the driveway, on the blacktop. That dedication paid off: he came back stronger and went on to win back-to-back championships in 7th and 8th grade.

He continued to play at the high school level and earned opportunities to play college basketball. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances prevented his playing career from continuing, but Manny found a different way to channel his passion for the game—by giving back to basketball through coaching, mentorship, and creating opportunities for young athletes.

That personal journey is the heartbeat of Crossover Basketball. Our program is built on the belief that setbacks are not the end of the story—they are the start of a comeback. Every missed shot, every tough loss, every challenge is an opportunity to grow.

Founded in 2023, Crossover was created with one vision in mind:

To give every athlete—regardless of skill level or financial situation—a place to train, compete, and grow both on and off the court.

Located at 611 S Addison Rd in Addison, IL, Crossover offers a home for athletes of all ages. Practices are intentionally kept in small groups so players receive individual attention and develop not only as athletes, but as people.

What sets Crossover apart is its foundation on six core values:

• Mindset

• Grit

• Integrity

• Resilience

• Intent

• Selflessness

These values are at the heart of every practice, training session, and game.

For Coach Manny, Crossover is more than basketball—it’s about building the program he wished he had growing up. It’s about ensuring that no young athlete feels left out because of skill level or financial circumstances. And most importantly, it’s about helping kids discover their potential, turning setbacks into comebacks—just like he did.

Our Goal

We want to expand so we can:
• Have opportunities to play out of state tournaments
• Provide scholarships for kids
• Upgrade equipment and facilities.

How You Can Help

1. Donate: Every dollar supports training, gear, scholarships, and out of state tournaments.
2. Sponsor a Player: Help a child join the program.
3. Share Our Story: Spread the word to your community.

Make a Difference

Together, we can help kids grow on and off the court. Let’s build brighter futures, one player at a time!

Visit us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063739838934

Give Every Kid a Shot with Crossover Basketball