Youth Basketball in DC
PPA runs youth basketball for Northwest DC families in Tenleytown, AU Park, Palisades, Foxhall, Georgetown, Cleveland Park, Cathedral Heights, Woodley Park and Mount Pleasant. Choose no-tryout Development Hoops leagues for grades K–8, Premier Hoops travel teams for 2nd–11th graders, or KiddoBall Hoops for ages 3–5.
Leagues are organized by grade, with a pro coach or a parent coach. Form a team with classmates or join as a free agent, and play close to home with 5,000+ PPA families from 200+ schools in and around DC and Montgomery County.
Basketball programs for every age
From a first dribble to travel basketball, every PPA program follows one pathway.
Development Hoops
Grades K–8 · No tryouts. High-quality, local basketball organized by grade and experience, with real coaches, exciting games and good community. Open to all levels, with separate boys' and girls' leagues.
Explore Development Hoops: https://ppateam.com/programs/development-hoops
- Intro League (K + 1st grade): 4v4, Saturday games
- 4v4 League (2nd + 3rd grade): 9-foot rims, Saturday games
- 5v5 League (4th–8th grade): 10-foot rims, Sunday games
- Pro coach or parent coach in every league
- End-of-season tournament for 2nd–8th grade
Premier Hoops
Grades 2–11 · Travel teams. PPA Premier Hoops is the competitive travel basketball program of Player Progression Academy, built for committed boys and girls who want high-level coaching, structured development and a clear pathway to grow within the game.
Explore Premier Hoops: https://ppateam.com/programs/premier-basketball
- Boys and girls teams from 2nd through 11th grade
- Competitive basketball in the DC/Maryland area affiliated with AAU Basketball
- Competes in MADE Hoops, UA Future, Select Events and Prep Girls Hoops
- Tryouts for this season are closed. Email PremierHoops@ppateam.com
KiddoBall Hoops
Ages 3–5 · Pre-K. Lowered hoops, age-appropriate drills, and tons of fun. Kids dribble, pass, and shoot in games designed to build coordination and confidence from day one.
Explore KiddoBall: https://ppateam.com/programs/kiddoball
- Weekly clinics every season in indoor school gyms around Bethesda
- Short sessions built for little attention spans, with lowered hoops
- No prior experience needed, and parents are welcome to join in
Where we play
PPA basketball is played in school and rec center gyms across Northwest DC, from the Palisades and Foxhall to Tenleytown, Woodley Park and Mount Pleasant. Kids practice and play close to home, often at a school they already know.
Gyms are permitted each season, so your child's exact gym, practice and game times are confirmed in the PPA app.
Basketball gyms in Washington, DC
- Georgetown Day School (GDS), Washington, DC (School gym in Tenleytown)
- Hearst Elementary School, Washington, DC (School gym near Tenleytown)
- Palisades Recreation Center, Washington, DC (Rec center gym in the Palisades)
- The Field School, Washington, DC (School gym in Foxhall)
- Maret School, Washington, DC (School gym in Woodley Park)
- Oyster-Adams Bilingual School, Washington, DC (School gym in Woodley Park)
- Bancroft Elementary School, Washington, DC (School gym in Mount Pleasant)
Frequently asked questions
What grades can play?
Development Hoops is for kindergarten through 8th grade: the Intro League for K and 1st grade, the 4v4 League for 2nd and 3rd grade, and the 5v5 League for 4th through 8th grade, with separate boys' and girls' leagues. Premier Hoops travel teams are for boys and girls in 2nd through 11th grade, and KiddoBall Hoops is for ages 3–5.
Is there a tryout?
No tryouts for Development Hoops. Every league is open to all levels. Premier Hoops is a travel program where players are evaluated and placed on teams; tryouts for this season are closed, so email PremierHoops@ppateam.com if you're interested in joining a Premier team.
Where are games in DC?
PPA basketball is played in gyms across Northwest DC: Georgetown Day School (GDS) and Hearst Elementary School near Tenleytown, Palisades Recreation Center, The Field School in Foxhall, Maret School and Oyster-Adams Bilingual School in Woodley Park, and Bancroft Elementary School in Mount Pleasant. Gyms are permitted each season, so your child's exact gym is confirmed in the PPA app. Development Hoops games also take place in nearby Bethesda and Chevy Chase, MD.
Can we form a team with classmates?
Yes. Any parent can form a team. When you register as a team manager, you'll receive a unique code to share with other families, and your $100 off is applied up front. Aim to reach a full roster by the season's registration deadline. If your child doesn't have a team, register as a free agent and we'll place them on a nearby team in their age group, ideally with kids from their school or neighborhood.
What's the difference between a parent coach and a pro coach?
Every Development Hoops league offers both. Choose a licensed PPA coach, or parents can volunteer to coach. Intro League (K–1st) teams are $395 per player with a pro coach and $300 with a parent coach. 4v4 and 5v5 (2nd–8th) teams are $500 with a pro coach and $350 with a parent coach.