WASHINGTON — Today, September 24th, on the heels of National Voter Registration Day and during National Voter Registration Week, Rock the Vote, alongside the WNBPA, dozens of current NBA stars, basketball legends, coaches and leading voices across basketball media are announcing a new partnership called Hoopers Vote.

The initiative, which kicks off today with “Hoopers Register to Vote Day,” is focused on unifying and amplifying the collective powerful influence of basketball culture and community, to help register, educate, and mobilize young Hoopers to vote, volunteer, and make their voices heard ahead of the 2020 election.

For the partnership, Rock the Vote has developed a custom Hoopers Vote election center for players, team personnel, fans, and the entire basketball community as a whole to come together to prepare for Election Day. Through this election center, one can register to vote, check their voter registration status, pledge to vote, sign up for election reminders, view their state’s voting policies and more.

The initiative will feature leading voices in the basketball world serving as Hoopers Vote Ambassadors including, Basketball Hall of Famers Lisa Leslie, Alex English, and James Worthy, WNBA stars Nneka Ogwumike, Layshia Clarendon, Carolyn Swords, Chelsea Gray, Renee Montgomery, and the entire WNBPA, NBA stars Jaren Jackson Jr., Langston Galloway, and Duncan Robinson, NBA Draft prospect Cassius Stanley, Super Fans like actor Jerry Ferrara, and retired legends working in the media including Steve Smith, Quentin Richardson, Jalen Rose, and Channing Frye, as well as brothers Jason and Jarron Collins, an assistant Coach for the Golden State Warriors.

“From ‘Black Lives Matter’ on game floors to players wearing “Vote” shirts and masks, the basketball community is amplifying the gravity of this moment,” said Rock the Vote President Carolyn DeWitt. “Hoopers Vote harnesses the energy we’ve seen across the basketball family to encourage fans, especially young hoopers, to register and cast an informed ballot in this election. We are inspired and thrilled to help support this movement.”

Together, these dynamic Hoopers from across basketball culture are uniquely positioned to empower new voters, especially young voters and voters of color, to become engaged in the process. As trusted messengers, Ambassadors will be able to use their platforms to highlight the issues deeply affecting the communities of hoopers nationwide, as they move young fans to engage in our Democratic process.

As part of the announcement of the Hoopers Vote initiative, Rock the Vote, WNBPA and WNBA are running a PSA this week on ESPN laying out the playbook to becoming an informed voter.

Over the final weeks leading up to election day, the Hoopers Vote initiative will have several other major activations aligned with the upcoming NBA Finals, and in partnership with NBA Draft prospects.

This moment and the Hoopers Vote initiative builds on the recent work that Rock the Vote has done with the WNBPA, The Golden State Warriors and other basketball stars including the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. and the LA Sparks’ Chelsea Gray through their Athletes Rock the Vote program.

To learn more about Hoopers Vote visit www.HoopersVote.org.

Upon the announcement of the Hoopers Vote initiative several Ambassadors released the following statements:

“For all the Hoopers around our country both young and old we need you to take your shot! Don’t miss it! Vote!” – Basketball Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie

“Having and utilizing my right to vote means that I have a voice in running this country. Even though it’s only one vote, it’s important. One drop of water helps all the other drops create our oceans immense power.” – Basketball Hall of Famer Alex English 

“The basketball community is a strong and dynamic force across the country. This year, it’s more important now than ever to take our energy to the ballot box and make sure our voices are heard off the court as well.” – Carolyn Swords, Las Vegas Aces

“Voting at the national, state and local level is a huge part of our Democracy and is pivotal for shaping the future of our country. Sitting out this year is not an option. I challenge everyone, especially all my fellow hoopers out there, to join me in registering to vote so our voices can be heard.” – Chelsea Gray, LA Sparks 

“Now, more than ever, is the time for us to exercise this right that so many before us have died for. VOTE!” — NBA Draft Prospect Cassius Stanley

“Basketball has taught me that in order for any team to be stronger, every voice must be heard. This November our collective team is Team USA; and for our country to move forward, we all need to vote & let our voices be heard.” – Jason Collins, Retired NBA Player