No Excuse, Just Produce. How Women Keep the Drew League Running
"No excuse, just produce" is more than a motto; it's a mission statement for the Smiley family. For 50 years, the Drew League has used basketball to build camaraderie in the South Central Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts.
For 39 of those years, Stephanie Smiley, her husband (Dino), and their daughter Chaniel have been responsible for keeping the pro-am basketball organization running.
Under their guidance, the Drew League has transcended the neighborhood to become a global phenomenon where the world's best basketball players make the pilgrimage to the legendary summer league.
Earlier this month, the Drew League partnered with adidas on the brand’s new documentary series "Create with Purpose." Produced through adidas Honoring Black Excellence initiative, "Create with Purpose" showcases the positive impact Stephanie and Chaniel, along with seven other revolutionary Black women, have made in their communities.
To celebrate the new documentary series, FanNation Kicks spoke with Stephanie and Chaniel about the history, present state, and future of the Drew League.
Your family has run the Drew League for nearly 40 years. How does it feel to witness its transformation?
Chaniel: "The transformation has been quite different. There were six teams in 1973 with the founder, Alvin Wills. After that, in 1984, my dad took it over from Alvin, who was his mentor. So it went from six teams to 12 to 20 to 28 at one point. It shows that they respect what we have going on, that it is very organized, that we run a tight ship, and that it's very family-oriented. Family and friends come together and make sure that this continues for another 50 years. I really feel like the community has our back 100%, and that's what's keeping it going."
Stephanie: "Oh, it's a big difference. I'm looking at it from the aspect of I used to be in a little closet for the concession stands. But as the league grew, we bounced around a lot because we couldn't hold all the people. So we finally secured King Drew Magnet High School, and the crowds are just awesome. I think it's just the people wanted to see more and more and more. It just bloomed."
The Drew League Foundation, founded in 2009, helps at-risk youth through several programs. How can basketball fans support that mission?
Stephanie: “Donations! Donations would help the foundation. After speaking with high school graduates who said they had no plans to attend college, we formed a community with some principals, counselors, and teachers—just neighborhood folks. We told them our vision, and they got behind it. We started off giving kids $500, and it has since increased to $1,500, and we want to continue increasing that amount. We also follow them and stick with them throughout the four years of college to make sure they graduate. It’s been a real success story."
Chaniel: “What's unique is that we do not charge. People always ask how much it costs to see the games. We provide 5-6 games on the weekends for free. So, even if they can't support us financially, we have volunteer services. We're always looking for people to come out to help with our youth programs, from coaches to mentors to educators. Also, we are looking for investors because we're trying to get our own gym for facilities, so any type of resources that they can provide to help keep this thing going."
Supporters of the Drew League can make online donations to the Drew League Foundation website.
What challenges come with securing a location each year?
Chaniel: "So every year, we play at King Drew Magnet High School, which is my alma mater. So we rent out the facility each summer, and every year, we're crossing our fingers, hoping that they'll pass it through. We have a great rapport with the principal, so they don't mind us being there because we're constantly giving back to the school. But if, for whatever reason, the school wants to shut down, they want to block it off for another program, we're now homeless.
We have so many different programs under the Drew League umbrella that it only makes sense for us to have our own facility. So it's really the capital. We hope that some of our players who are in the league understand how important this is for us. They've been playing since they were 13, and we’re trying to have those conversations with them. So it’s hit or miss sometimes, but you know we'll do a better job and keep trying to try to make that connection happen. But it really is pulling together as a unit to make sure that we can get a facility because if we do, that sky is the limit."
Speaking of logistical challenges, what is the process like for getting NBA players in and out of the gym without a hitch?
Stephanie: "Secrecy (laughs). To be honest, their agents make contact with our top security person. The top security person will only tell a few people, so it doesn't spread."
Chaniel: "Sometimes, we find out the day before, maybe a week before. But we don't promote it. We don't ask them to play. That's one thing we don't do. We let the coaches do the asking because it's their team."
In 2022, the Drew League agreed to a multiyear partnership with adidas. How has adidas been as a partner?
Chaniel: “They have been amazing. They always make sure that whatever plans we have feel authentic and organic… I see that they're they're definitely about their community and always giving back. They always give us freedom as creators. So that's what I love about adidas."
What are you most excited about for the future of the Drew League?
Chaniel: "What has me excited is some of our future plans for our youth component. Our women's league. Also, international deals that we're making with other pro-am leagues. Working with NBA players with their own foundations and stuff like that. So just giving the community a chance to touch these athletes in a real way and constantly growing our foundation to build on that."
Stephanie: "I agree with everything she said!"
March is Women's History Month. What advice would you give to girls who want a career in sports?
Stephanie: "Just go for it! Women's sports are coming up. I remember when there used to be empty seats, and cricket sounds at women's games. But a lot has changed in the past few years, and women are finally getting the recognition they deserve. And I'm proud of the women. They deserved it years ago, but they're getting it now."
Chaniel: "There are opportunities like no other. We're still fighting a battle little by little, but it's completely different than it was just ten years ago. So, I see a lot more women getting into the sports industry, which I'm proud of. I feel like they have unleashed them and just said, you know what, I'm kicking the doors down like it's only up from here. So regardless of my gender, they're going to have to respect me."
