Slam Dunk: Danbury Summer Classic Basketball League Revitalizes Youth Sports And Community Engagement

DANBURY, CT — The first annual Danbury Summer Classic basketball league is at full throttle on Beaver Street every Friday night.

Organizer Jordan Walker, a Danbury native and 2014 graduate of Danbury High School, described the league as a platform for high school-aged players, specifically targeting teens ages 14 to 17 who are current students and have not yet graduated. Games are held every Friday night from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Beaver Street courts, which recently underwent a significant renovation led by the city and supported by Danbury Parks and Recreation.

“The courts were in rough shape for a long time,” Walker said. “Now that they’re fixed up, we’ve been able to attract higher-level athletes, including players with college offers.”

Walker, who also coaches basketball at Brookfield High School and studies to become a math teacher, emphasized that the league’s purpose extends beyond the sport itself. “This league is about more than basketball,” he said. “It’s about bringing kids together, giving them a positive outlet, and helping rebuild youth sports in Danbury.”

The league’s inception followed several smaller tournaments held after the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions eased. Walker noted that before the renovation, attracting skilled players was difficult. The city’s investment in the courts helped change that dynamic.

Walker credited mentor Eugene Moorer, Danbury High School’s JV coach, for guiding him in coaching and league management. Moore’s advocacy was also instrumental in securing funding — and cooperation — for the court renovations.

"That was a long process," Moorer told Patch.

The Beaver Street facilities were key because they were the only ones with lights, according to Moorer.

"I started knocking on doors when COVID happened, because we couldn't go into the gyms. I was getting the run around with all the mayors and everybody else, until Mayor Alves came into the picture," Moorer said. "I'm adamant about doing community things for our kids, and I just felt like, you put money into everywhere else, we need to put money into fixing this court."

Money is still an issue, and it's local sponsorship that keeps the league afloat. Danbury businesses such as Bagelman and Pippa’s Sports Cafe contribute by providing food, drinks, and discounts to players who wear their jerseys, which feature sponsor logos. Additional community partners provide resources like power supply for scoreboards and assist with event organization. The league is also accepting donations cash donations of any size, and can be reached online through its IG page.

Attendance at games typically ranges from 100 to 200 spectators, with families and community members gathering around the fenced courts. The league also collaborates with city events, including the annual Beaver Street Block Party, which brings together residents for festivities and basketball competitions.

Walker described his personal journey as one marked by a deep passion for basketball and community service. After playing college basketball and facing personal challenges, he was encouraged by Moorer to return to coaching. Since then, he has embraced his role fully, dedicating himself to fostering youth development through the sport.

The Danbury Summer Classic may be the ultimate grassroots success story when it comes to Hat City youth sports revitalization, but Moorer is adamant that it should be just the beginning.

"I think the next thing that the city needs to attack is Rogers Park. The softball fields, the baseball fields, the tennis courts — every field down there has lights," he said.