Our Story

For men, the opportunities to play basketball after college are endless — recreational leagues in every town, pick up runs at local gyms, casual park games with other male friends, etc. While women can sometimes be invited to play in these games, every female basketball player knows that playing basketball with men is vastly different from playing with women. We all have experienced the guy who plays too hard to prove a point about his physical dominance, or the guy who condescendingly congratulates you for making a layup when you played at a much higher level than he ever did.

After playing basketball in college, our Founder, Emma, found herself, like so many women do, without a basketball team for the first time in her life and with nowhere to continue playing the game that she loves. It was mentally draining to hold her own on a court with only men, and she saw that there were virtually no opportunities or spaces for women to consistently play exclusively with other women.

Knowing there must be other women like her wanting to play, she went out searching for them. From talking to women in the stands at men’s leagues, chatting to women at Women’s All Bball, a similar organization that at the time was running monthly runs, to running across the 24 hour fitness gym floor if there was another women in basketball shorts across the room, each conversation revealed the same insight: women wanted to play, but there were no consistent, weekly opportunities for them to play with other women.

To solve this need, in March 2016, she started with a Facebook event. On that first day, with no idea if it would be a success of not, 25 women walked into the gym.

We didn’t know each other, but for the next two hours, we played like we were long-lost teammates. After feeling so isolated as a female hooper, our Founder recalls the day as both relieving and exhilarating. Other women vocalized the same feelings, and we agreed to meet the following week again.

Week after week, the same women kept returning and each time brought a friend too. Now, we boast an ever-growing community of over 400 women years later.

Do you resonate with a part of this story as player? Come join a community waiting to embrace you.

Or do you have a platform (media company, podcast, editorial, etc) to highlight our story to extend our reach? Let’s talk!

If this story inspires you in any way, let us know by emailing us at info@pickherupball.com, filling out the form on our contact page, or even consider donating to help us further our mission.