Beyond the Game: Inside Houston's No Excuses Pro League

The No Excuses Pro League brings high-level basketball talent, competition and community together during Houston's summer basketball season.

By Kiera Baker | KST Media
Basketball • Pro-Am • Houston

Summer basketball in Houston doesn't mean the competition slows down.

The No Excuses Pro League (NEPL) brings together players from different levels of the game, creating an environment where professional, collegiate and emerging talent can compete while giving Houston basketball fans an up-close look at the action.

Covering NEPL from the sidelines gave me an opportunity to experience that atmosphere from a unique perspective. As both a former collegiate basketball player and now a sports journalist, basketball is a game I understand from both sides of the microphone.

Throughout my coverage, I spoke with players and basketball personalities including Van Chancellor, Malik Whitaker, Nile Ebi, Jacque Giron, Angel Johnson and Raven Fleming. Each conversation offered another perspective on the people who make up the basketball community surrounding the league.

A Basketball Legend in the Building

One of the highlights of my NEPL experience was interviewing Van Chancellor, one of the most accomplished coaches in women's basketball.

Having the opportunity to speak with someone with such an extensive history in the sport was a memorable moment in my reporting experience. It was also an example of what makes events like NEPL special: different generations of the basketball community can come together in the same building.

Alongside established figures in the sport, NEPL provides a platform for athletes to compete, connect and showcase their abilities in an environment built around the game.

A Different Kind of Basketball Experience

Pro-Am basketball has an energy of its own.

Unlike a traditional season where teams compete within established college or professional schedules, summer leagues can bring together athletes with different backgrounds and experiences. That creates matchups fans may not ordinarily get an opportunity to see.

From courtside, that competitive environment was evident.

But as a reporter, some of the most interesting moments happened after the action stopped.

Talking with athletes such as Malik Whitaker, Nile Ebi, Jacque Giron, Angel Johnson and Raven Fleming allowed me to move beyond what spectators could see on the court and focus on the people participating in the event.

From the Court to the Camera

Covering basketball also has a personal connection for me.

Before becoming a reporter, I was a collegiate basketball player. The game taught me about preparation, competition, teamwork and what happens behind the scenes before an athlete ever steps onto the court.

Today, those experiences influence the way I approach sports journalism.

Standing courtside with a microphone instead of wearing a uniform gives me an opportunity to experience basketball differently — asking the questions instead of answering them and helping athletes share their stories with an audience.

More Than Summer Basketball

NEPL demonstrates how basketball can bring together athletes, fans and members of the larger basketball community.

The games provide the competition, but the people create the stories.

For KST Media, that's where the coverage goes next.

Beyond the final score. Beyond the highlights. And beyond the game.

SEE MORE FROM THE SIDELINES

Watch Kiera Baker's interviews with Van Chancellor, Malik Whitaker, Nile Ebi, Jacque Giron, Angel Johnson and Raven Fleming, along with additional basketball coverage.