Hi 5 Players and Coach dominated the U-21 Maharashtra Basketball League

What began as an opportunity turned into a defining moment.

This season, 10 Hi 5 athletes—5 girls and 5 boys—were selected through the Maharashtra Basketball League (MBL) Season 5 auction, stepping into one of the most competitive platforms in the state. Among them, four athletes were part of the Pune Tuskers, led by Hi 5 Senior Coach Dattaraj Bramhnekar.

The league, held as part of the 76th Maharashtra State Inter-District Basketball Championship in Nashik, follows a professional format designed to identify and showcase emerging talent.

After a series of narrow losses, Pune Tuskers found themselves on the brink of elimination, with very little chance of progressing further. At that stage, the campaign could have ended there.

However, a turn of results elsewhere opened a narrow window, giving the team one last opportunity to move into the knockout rounds.

What followed was a shift—not just in results, but in mindset. Led by Coach Dattaraj, the team regrouped, came together, and began to play as a unit.

In the knockout stages, Pune Tuskers found their rhythm. A sharper defensive approach and stronger on-court coordination helped them take control of crucial games, eventually leading them to the championship.

Our Star Players from Pune Tuskers team that completely took over the U-21 Championship:

For the Hi 5 athletes, this journey marks an important step—from training within the Hope Thru Hoops basketball excellence program to competing, contributing, and winning at a state-level league.

League’s MVP – Prabhat Mishra

Their progression reflects the value of access to structured training, competitive exposure, and consistent mentorship in shaping confident and capable athletes.

We are proud to see Hi 5 athletes not just participate, but make their presence felt at this level.

Hi 5 Athletes selected for Maharashtra Basketball League:

The presence of these athletes in the team Pune Tuskers, Beed Baazigars and Mumbai Storms shows the quality of training and facilities to excel provided by Hi 5 Youth Foundation.

By providing high quality Coaching, professional equipment, proper training and quality education through pathways to success Hi 5 has bridged the gap between grassroot players to professional players. 

This achievement shows that our mission to change young lives through sports is creating a pathway to success for young athletes transitioning from local courts to a professional game.