Hoop Teens: From High School to NBA riches?

Hi there, my name is Arin Karimian and I’m an online sports editor for USA Today and a graduate student in journalism at Georgetown University. This site is my Capstone project, or the culmination of everything I’ve learned in the journalism program. It’s the final step I need to complete before earning my degree.

Being such a big sports nut, it’s no surprise that my Capstone is on the NBA’s draft policy. However, I also chose the topic because I feel it’s timely and something that should be re-examined. I hope you enjoy reading the blog and learn a few things along the way!

The name ‘Hoop Teens’ is a small play on ‘Hoop Dreams,’ a really good 1994 documentary that followed two high school players from Chicago who dreamed of playing professionally. The term ‘hoop dreams’ serves as an accurate description for the hopes and aspirations of young basketball players. Thus, I changed ‘dreams’ to ‘teens’ (though, all of the underclassmen I’ll talk about won’t necessarily be ‘teens’) and came up with what is hopefully a catchy and poignant name.

NOTE: This site is in no way affiliated with USA Today. The views and opinions expressed are strictly my own. I am acting in my role as a student and not that of a reporter for the paper.