The Spurs Youth Basketball League (formerly the Spurs Drug-Free League) was founded in 1990 by Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich and Kids Sports Network president/founder Frank Martin to promote recreational youth basketball in economically disadvantaged areas of San Antonio.
Since then, more than 420,000 children and coaches have participated in the league. Each year, SYBL offers thousands of young people from primarily lower-income neighborhoods the opportunity to join together with other youth and improve their athletic skills while learning teamwork, cooperation, respect, and discipline in a positive and safe environment. The innovative programming and anti-drug efforts of the league earned President George H. W. Bush’s Point of Light Award in 1992.
The Spurs Youth Basketball League, presented by Pizza Hut, is funded by Spurs Give, which underwrites the cost of player and coach jerseys, background checks, and coaches’ training held by Positive Coaching Alliance, marketing, and administration.