ORLANDO, Fla.— Two brothers with a vision, a message, and a mission.
“It’s a beautiful day to get better. It’s a beautiful day to get better,” said Dwight Thompson, the Co-founder of the Rise League.
“The ultimate goal is to just see Meadow Woods flourish,” said Dmitri Thompson, the Co-founder of the Rise League.
Dmitri and Dwight Thompson grew up playing basketball in Meadow Woods, where the brothers often realized they were at a disadvantage.
“Man it’s not fair that these kids have resources that we don’t have access to because we would be a lot better so that motivated us to say you know what especially in this community we are going to do our best to find a way to get them those resources,” said Dwight.
That’s when rise was born.
“Growing up if I had something like this or if I had someone that could mentor as well as we are doing right now in the community who knows where I would be right now,” said Dmitri.
Rise is a basketball league that provides the youth an opportunity to get better and showcase their talents at tournaments.
“The main thing we preach is if you have a goal or a vision or a dream then go for it. At end of the day the only person really stopping you is you,” said Dmitri.
Up until a few months ago their indoor training facility did not exist.
“We thought are we really going to contradict ourselves? If we are going to pass on this message we have to fully believe in it so we said you know what let’s put ten toes down and go forward,” said Dwight.
Providing their community the resources they never had.
“This is a 5,000 square foot facility. We have a basketball court obviously and a section where you can do plyometrics, a little bit of weight training, and then we have a conditioning section over here where you can do letters and sprints and honestly it’s a dream come true,” said Dmitri.
Aside from physical things, the Thompson brothers are giving the next generation something much more impactful.
“Us being good role models for them just shows them that even though there’s all this stuff going on there’s still light at the end of the tunnel, there’s still good, something to look forward to,” said Dmitri.
“Being young black men a lot of times we are very limited on what kids think what you can do to make it out whether it be sports or the music industry. We are glad we can be that example for them that you don’t have to do that, that you can pursue business and other avenues,” said Dwight.
Leading by example.
“They don’t ever put each other down. They don’t ever stun each other’s dreams and they say they do it so why can’t we do it,” said Dwight.
A gift that keeps on giving.
“That’s honestly the most fulfilling thing that I can say that I’ve done is to give hope to these guys,” said Dmitri.
