Vision
Bring Chosen to your Borough. Bring Chosen to your City.
Vision & Mission
Mission
To equip and inspire youth and young adults (ages 6-25 y/o) with life and leadership skills through basketball, biblical teachings, and character development.
OUR FRAMEWORK
PARTNER
Partner with Community Based organizations & Churches that are aligned with our mission.
CLINICS
Led by College, High School, Professionals & Key Coaches in community that foster character development while playing creatively.
SPEAKERS
We provide character development, inspirational speakers & faith-based speakers - dependent on organizations need.
BASKETBALL
We provide Round Robin Structured basketball intramural focused games that build confidence for players on all levels focusing on sportsmanship, excellence, and making friends on and off the court.
Core Values: C.O.D.E.S
Community Involvement:
We continually strive for deeper engagement in each of the communities we are privileged to serve.
Opportunities:
We continually strive to introduce our players to people, resources and organizations that can help them excel in life.
Deeper Relationships:
We continually strive to build deeper relationships with our players by letting them know we truly care for them.
Excellence:
A spirit of excellence is the standard at our organization, anything less is unacceptable.
Stewardship:
We continually strive to be accountable and transparent in all the resources which have been entrusted to us.
Meet the Team
Manny Maldonado
Founder
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Grew up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan to a single mother . He developed faith through his mother’s influence, who invited him to church and to hear the pastor. Love of sports, faith, and serving the youth of New York City are the driving forces behind Chosen NYC Basketball. He Believes in the power of mentorship and providing a safe space for the young people to grow. A Father to three sons.
Abby Quiles
Court Director
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My name is Abigail Quiles and I am the court director for Chosen NYC. I was born and raised in the Lower East Side; grew up so drawn to basketball even from a little girl. I am a Christian that grew up in a Christian household. Being able to give back to my community in a way that I enjoy has been such blessing. I have been volunteering at Chosen for 10+ years and look forward to continuing to contribute to Chosen.
Mark Jerome
LES Lead Clinician
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One of the North East’s most recognized and accomplished HS coaches (Beacon High School and School of the Future), Mark Jerome’s basketball experience covers all levels on and off of the court. His reputation is one of patience and integrity and he is highly committed to making ethical decisions. In addition to his successful HS record of 135-24 during 7 years at Beacon HS years and a final-4 run before covid interrupted the 2020 season, Mark also coaches on the AAU circuit, helping several student athletes reach their goal of playing college basketball. Mark coached on the Nike Circuit until he founded Team Jerome, which competes on the Under Armor Circuit traveling across the country.
Jason Curry
Brooklyn Lead Clincian
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Coach Jason Curry’s love for basketball began early, tagging along with his dad to gyms across New York City. His passion and skill led him to earn a four-year basketball scholarship to St. Michael’s College in Vermont. After college, he transitioned from a successful media career to founding Big Apple Basketball, impacting countless young athletes. Honored as both the Jr. Knicks and Jr. NBA Coach of the Year, Coach Curry continues to inspire the next generation. Today, he serves as a Lead Clinician with Chosen NYC Basketball in Queens and beyond—and we are truly blessed to have him on our team.
Meet the Board
Yvette Hamiltion
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My Name is Yvette Hamilton , I've been Retired from working with the City of New York 3 years now . I've been Volunteering with Chosen NYC for 2 years. Its a exhilarating joy to be a small part of a Organization that gets the privilege of injecting the life changing Gospel and Testimony of the unconditional Love of Jesus Christ into the hearts of the next generation , through the eyes of sports.
Zach Van Veldhuizen
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Zach Van Veldhuizen Pastor of the Borough Church in Brooklyn, Masters of Divinity Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, family of 5: wife Caroline, daughters Bethany and Rebekah, and son Jonathan. Zach loves Jesus, his family, basketball, and Luigi’s Pizza in Brooklyn
Radames Medina
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Radames Medina comes to Chosen NYC Basketball with over 18 years of non-profit accounting experience and over 5 years of professional tax work. He is super excited to join the board in order to help provide financial guidance and to help the organization thrive. One of the main reasons that he loves to work with nonprofits is that there is a higher purpose to the work that is being done. Chosen has a remarkable mix of attributes such as being a community based athletic startup with a devotional purpose. That unique combination has raised Radames’ enthusiasm and he is honored to contribute his skills and commitment to furthering the organization's mission.
Nena Ugwuomo
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Nena Ugwuomo has worked at the intersection of technology, education, and finance for over a decade. She is the Founder and CEO of Student Dream, a nonprofit closing the racial wealth gap in America by training black and brown youth to build wealth. Under Ugwuomo’s leadership, Student Dream has trained over 1500 youth – from 120 schools and colleges – to create their personal visions for money and life, improve their financial health, learn about investing, and start companies that have raised $1 million in business funding.
When not practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Nena is committed to empowering people – especially those historically oppressed – to love God, love their neighbors, and leave an inheritance for their grandchildren.