Introducing Old Westbury’s Iman Kermalli, a Wheatley sophomore whose passion for Unified Sports inspired her to launch Hoop Buddies, a volunteer-led Unified Basketball program for local youth. Unified Sports—a rapidly growing movement on Long Island and beyond—was developed by Special Olympics to promote inclusion by uniting athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same teams. The program’s mission is to foster understanding, build friendships, and cultivate mutual respect, making a meaningful impact in schools and communities.

I was inspired by my school’s Unified Basketball team, which is a new varsity sport at my school that allows students with special needs to play alongside their general education peers. Last school year, in 9th grade, I had already been playing basketball at Wheatley, and I joined Unified Basketball the following season. Playing a sport I loved while forming friendships and connecting with the Wheatley Life Skills community was incredible. I saw firsthand how much the kids enjoyed playing with us; it was uplifting for all of us, a beautiful way to interact and bond through sports.

The idea of creating something similar for younger kids began to take shape for me at the start of this past summer. I realized that while high school students had this opportunity, many younger kids with special needs didn’t have a similar chance to play in a supportive, team-based environment. I wanted to offer them that experience—to make them feel included, to create a space for them to build friendships, develop skills, and experience the joy of sports. That’s when I had the idea to start Hoop Buddies.

I knew there was a special needs class in our Sunday School, so when I thought of starting Hoop Buddies, I reached out to that class specifically. I initially thought I’d start small with people I already knew, since this was a new venture for me. I wasn’t sure how much interest there would be, so I wanted to keep it manageable at first. I spoke to the parents and teachers and was amazed at the feedback. They were excited for a program like Hoop Buddies!

After a few phone calls and personal conversations with these families, I called some courts on Long Island and secured a location for our first clinic in August. We secured a sponsor. I designed our logo, made some shirts, and started an Instagram page.

These families also connected me to the larger special needs communities across Long Island, allowing me to expand my reach even further. Thanks to their referrals, the word spread quickly, and I had confirmed interest in a clinic.

When I saw the numbers growing on our registration page, I simultaneously reached out to friends and family in my community for volunteer support. I knew they would be dedicated to helping, and they truly came through. Our first clinic in August was a success with 12 kids and 15 volunteers! 

One of the best parts of Hoop Buddies is that it’s open to everyone—children and volunteers alike. It’s a space where anyone can get involved, regardless of their background.

Before the first session of Hoop Buddies, I didn’t really know what to expect.

This was my first experience creating and leading an organization, and I learned a lot about leadership and teamwork along the way. Beyond just bringing an idea to life, I found myself navigating the business side of things, such as researching, organizing, and coordinating at every step. I delved into the special needs community by speaking with parents and educators, which helped me understand how to make Hoop Buddies truly impactful.

I had to be resourceful in securing a venue, calling courts across Long Island and negotiating prices, especially since this was a sponsored event. Marketing the clinic required creativity and persistence—I designed flyers, identified our audience, and networked to spread the word. Every connection led to the next, and I quickly learned that collaboration is essential. Coordinating volunteers involved setting up meetings, explaining our mission, and ensuring everyone felt prepared.

Although I had experience playing alongside special needs children through the Unified Basketball program at Wheatley, I had never personally coached or run a program outside of school. Naturally, I was a bit nervous. But once the first session started, everything just fell into place. The kids were filled with joy, and it was truly a fun experience for everyone. My volunteers played a big part in making it all work. Each one paired up with a child, staying with that child through all three sessions. As a result, the children grew comfortable with their buddies, and by the third session, it was amazing to see the strong bonds and trust that had formed. We played games, laughed, and got to know each child’s unique personality.

At the end, many parents expressed their gratitude, asking if I could keep the program going. They shared how much it meant to them that their kids had the chance to play alongside peers and build these meaningful friendships. The entire experience was heartwarming, and it wouldn’t have been possible without my incredible volunteers. Teamwork truly makes the dream work.

I believe Hoop Buddies provided volunteers with a truly transformative experience. After our very first session, my heart was full when I overheard our volunteers talking afterwards. We were all so happy because you could clearly see the joy in the kids’ eyes. Our conversations were full of laughter, and by the second and third sessions, the children were recognizing us by name. This brought us great joy, and we were all humbled by the impact it had on everyone involved. Several volunteers shared that the experience taught them invaluable lessons in gratitude, patience, and selflessness. One of them even explained to me how she liked that everyone was treated as equals and worked well together, even when it was difficult. She said that she used the experience as a way to learn herself, and not just to teach others. Hoop Buddies was a new experience for all of us, but by the end, everyone had taken away something meaningful.

Ultimately, I’d love to see Hoop Buddies expand into other regions so that more children can experience the joy and personal growth that basketball can bring. We’ve had people ask about possibly hosting a program in other states, like Texas and Florida. I’d love to build the model and then share it with others to host in their region and give kids everywhere else the same joy.

Perhaps, over time, Hoop Buddies can become more than just a clinic and grow into a community, a place where kids of all abilities are supported, and empowered to reach their potential both on and off the court. One participant’s family invited me to a Fall Fun Day for Down Syndrome Awareness Month, which showed me the power of connection beyond our sessions. I’d love for Hoop Buddies to help form friendships that extend outside the clinic, so we can continue to support one another and celebrate inclusion everywhere.

**SIDEBAR**

Photos of Iman by Old Westbury resident Eva Saljanin of Eva Videography. Contact Eva at eva.videography@gmail.com.

**PULLQUOTE**

"One of the best parts of Hoop Buddies is that it’s open to everyone—children and volunteers alike. It’s a space where anyone can get involved, regardless of their background."