BUILDING CHAMPIONS 

ON AND OFF THE COURT.

WHO WE ARE

The Kings Youth Basketball Program is committed to helping young athletes grow on and off the court. Participation in sports is a powerful way to teach life skills—confidence, discipline, teamwork, and leadership.

  • Our Misson

    We develop young athletes on and off the court by teaching fundamentals, building confidence, and promoting teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship.

  • Core Beliefs

    • Character comes first — integrity, respect, responsibility.
    • Every child matters — opportunity and inclusion for all.
    • Effort over outcome — attitude and perseverance matter.
    • Safe & supportive — physical and emotional safety are priorities.

  • What Players Gain

    • Improved fitness, coordination, and endurance
    • Confidence, discipline, resilience
    • Teamwork, leadership, sportsmanship
    • Community, mentorship, positive experiences

OUR STORY

The Story of the Kings: A friendship formed at King Elementary in Des Moines sparked a love for basketball that spread across the playground. In 1998, Bates Carr and Ronald Mells formed the Kings to compete in the Boys & Girls Club league—creating the foundation for a program that still thrives today.


Today, the Kings serve boys in grades 4–7 from Des Moines and across Polk County, welcoming athletes from diverse backgrounds and cultures in a structured, positive basketball program with purpose—built on character, discipline, and community—helping young athletes grow on and off the court through life skills like confidence, teamwork, leadership, and discipline.

MEET OUR COACHES

Meet the Kings coaching staff—dedicated mentors who lead with character, discipline, and community, committed to developing student-athletes through fundamentals, confidence, teamwork, and leadership on and off the court.

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Kings In Action

Why Your Partnership Matters

Your contribution helps keep this program going and creates real opportunities for the next generation. Together, we can build confidence, character, and a positive path forward through youth sports.

Access for All

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Fundraising helps remove financial barriers so every child can participate—regardless of income.

Keep Costs Affordable

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Donations help cover uniforms, equipment, gym rentals, tournament fees, and coaching—so registration stays reasonable.

Better Opportunities

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Support allows for improved training, safe facilities, and travel/tournament experiences that help athletes grow.

Youth Development

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Fundraisers can help with clinics, mentorship, and scholarships—supporting growth on and off the court by promoting families and local businesses together to build a lasting support system for our kids.

KYB Hoops Tryouts

Monday May 18th, 2026

  • Monday , May 18th, 2026 
  • 6:00PM Player Registration
  • 6:30PM to 8:00PM Physical Fitness & Basketball Skills Evaluation
  • Location: Mission Temple Church
    1535 5th Avenue Des Moines, IA 50314
4th Graders Kyb Hoops
5th Graders Kyb Hoops
6th Graders Kyb Hoops
7th Graders Kyb Hoops

Resilience, Growth, and Commitment

  This season was about so much more than records, standings, or final scores. It was about heart. It was about young men learning what it means to fight through adversity, believe in each other, and keep showing up with pride. Every Kings team, from 4th grade through 7th grade, gave us a reason to be proud. Some teams were learning how to compete, some were learning how important commitment really is, some were battling through obstacles they could not control, and some were chasing greatness with championship expectations on their shoulders. But through all of it, the same truth kept showing up again and again: Kings basketball is built on resilience, growth, toughness, and brotherhood.



  Our 4th-grade team showed us what determination looks like at its purest level. They were scrappy, hungry, and full of fight, and even in the middle of a challenging season, their competitive spirit never stopped showing. They reminded us that the foundation of greatness starts with effort, attitude, and the willingness to keep working. Our 5th-grade team taught an equally important lesson. Their season showed that talent has to be matched by commitment, and that being part of something bigger than yourself means being present, dependable, and ready for your teammates. Those lessons are not easy, but they are powerful, and they will help shape these boys not just as players, but as young men.


  Our 6th-grade team showed real toughness. They dealt with harsh conditions, missed time, interrupted practices, and the kind of setbacks that can take the rhythm away from any group. Still, they stayed in the fight and held their place among the better teams in the league. That says something about their character. And then our 7th-grade team continued to raise the standard, carrying the legacy of past success while being reminded that excellence still requires hunger, discipline, and humility. They showed what it means to lead the program, to carry expectations, and to respond when the competition gets real.

When you step back and look at the full picture, this season tells one powerful story: Kings basketball is not just developing players, it is building character. It is building young men who learn to work, sacrifice, overcome, stay connected, and keep pressing forward no matter what stands in front of them. That is why this season matters. That is why this program matters. And that is why the future is bright. Because championships are special, wins are important, and growth is exciting — but the greatest thing being built here is a culture of heart, commitment, and belief. That is what makes Kings different. That is what makes Kings strong. And that is what will keep this program rising.