Our Story
Our Story
The Den Basketball Club was founded in 2023, with a vision to provide a positive and psychologically safe environment for kids to learn to play and love the game of basketball. In 2024, we debuted its first high school travel team and commenced the steep learning curve to administer the program, sourcing gym time and uniforms, coaching players (and parents at times), the additional logistics of getting the team and players registered with AAU, interfacing with various tournament organizations and their politics. As challenging as it was, we loved the kids and program so much that we organized and supported our 2025 high school team, formalized the club as a non-profit organization registered as a 501(c)3, and have stepped into small group trainings for youth in grades 4 to 12.
Beginning early 2026, we will offer curriculum based enrichment programs for charter and public school students, and organize a 3 on 3 league. Why 3 on 3? Because it's where player development absolutely happens. Players learn spacing, get more touches on the ball, and it affords them more opportunities to improve decision making. 3 on 3 provides everything to create real basketball players on the court much faster.
Our Staff & Board
Coach Julio
Founder/President & Head Coach
Coach Alvarado founded The Den to provide kids a psychologically safe environment to develop as players and members of their community. With nearly 30 years in healthcare administration and over 10 years of volunteer work in youth sports, Coach Alvarado is committed to helping generations to come.
Erica Alvarado
CFO
30 years in business administration and management, and service to the community in various volunteer and philanthropic pursuits.
Preston Carr; Alan "Coach" Mena; and David Valero
Board Members
Education, public service and business leaders with a passion for sports and youth development. Their collective experience and advice has helped us build The Den Basketball with integrity, transparency and commitment to excellence.