Every great player has a court they grew up on. For our Co-Founder and CEO Davyeon Ross, that court is in Trinidad and Tobago, just down the road from his old high school, St. Benedict’s College.
At ShotTracker, we spend our days building advanced technology that helps players and coaches see the game more clearly. But the game doesn’t start with data. It starts with a hoop, a ball and a place to play. So when Davyeon had the chance to give back to the community that shaped him, he went all in.
Where it started
Every court has a story, and this one had plenty of miles on it. Years of games had worn down the surface and faded the lines. The backboard and rim had weathered a lot of island seasons, and the net had seen better days. But the love for the game never faded. Kids kept showing up to hoop, and that energy is exactly what made this court worth investing in.
Teaming up
Nobody builds something like this alone, and Davyeon would be the first to tell you that. He teamed up with Adrian Joseph, SLAM, Project Backboard and Peter Robert Casey, along with a group of incredible people who believed in the vision from day one. Some brought their expertise, some brought their platforms and some simply rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Every one of them made a difference.
The work started from the ground up, and we mean that literally. Crews laid down fresh asphalt to give the court a smooth, level foundation built to last through years of games to come. Day by day the court started to take shape, and the excitement grew right along with it. New backboards and rims went up. Then came the fun part: the art.
A court that looks like home
The finished court is truly something else, and what used to be grey is now bursting with color. The surface is a bright sky blue, finished with crisp white lines and burnt-orange paint in both keys. Soft white clouds drift along the sidelines while rolling green hills stretch down one side of the floor, a nod to the island’s lush landscape. Flying right across it, through the paint and over half court, is a flock of scarlet ibis, Trinidad and Tobago’s national bird.
It’s a court that tells you exactly where you are. Every detail is a little piece of home, painted right where the next generation will learn the game. For the kids who play on it every day, it’s a reminder that where they come from is something to be proud of. For Davyeon, watching it come to life near the school where his own journey began has been incredible.
We’re not done yet
A beautiful court is a great start. But a court is only as powerful as the people and opportunities around it.
The next phase is all about the players. Davyeon and the team are working to bring basketball programming, shoes, equipment and resources to young athletes so they can make the most of this space. That means coaching that helps kids build real skills. Gear that lets them show up ready to play. And the kind of structure and support that turns a pickup game into a pathway, whether that leads to a college scholarship, a career in the game or simply a lifelong love of basketball.
At ShotTracker, we believe every player deserves the chance to see what they’re capable of. This project is that belief in action, in the very place that helped shape our CEO.
As Davyeon put it: the court is ready. Let’s make sure the next generation is too.
How you can help
If you’re from Trinidad and Tobago, love basketball or simply believe every kid deserves a shot, here’s how to get involved.
Donate through Project Backboard:
- PayPal: dpeterson@projectbackboard.org
- Venmo: Daniel-Peterson-34
- Zelle: dpeterson@projectbackboard.org
Please include “TNT” in your donation note. Every contribution helps. Even if you can’t donate, share the info on our socials. Spreading the word goes a long way.
Let’s keep building something special!
