How'd We get started
Originally known as Shua’s Basketball League- Shua Strong was established in 2014 by Shua Polonsky OBM who had a vision of bringing competitive organized basketball to the Crown Heights community. Shua was completing his PHD in psychology and understood just how crucial structured sport is to a child's development and furthermore toward living a wholesome healthy life. Shua was extremely passionate about the game of basketball having grown up on the court himself, he therefore knew that the game is a tool that empowers children and boosts their confidence.
In 2017 Shua tragically and unexpectedly passed away leaving a large void within all who knew him. Family and friends such as Rivkie Zalmenov, Rivky Lang, Adina Schlass, Chani Frankel, Freeda Levin, and Peretz Chen volunteered to continue the league both to honor his memory and continue his mission. From the start it was clear how much of an impact the league had on the community. Since 2017 the league has grown exponentially and now includes both a boys league and a girls league
MEET US
Yosef Halevy
Director/Head Coach
Yosef grew up in the Crown Heights community enabling him to easily identify and relate to the struggles and challenges that accompany the rigorous and demanding school schedules. Yosef incorporated basketball to help him focus, serving as an anchor to learn about the game as well as himself.
As his passion for the game continues to develop Yosef was given the unique opportunity to be trained by former NBA players such as Gary Grant and active NBA skills coaches. Yosef assisted NBA trainer Drew Hanlen in working out household NBA names such as Jason Taytum, Bradley Beal and Kevin Oubre Jr..
Yosef had the honor of coaching alongside Shua Polonsky during the leagues infancy and has remained devoted to the mission ever since.
Toriann Bellings
Strategy and Development
Tori has been playing basketball since she was 6 years old.
She has experienced the grit and hard work of NCAA and semi pro basketball with aspirations of playing professionally. In college Tori led her team(Suny Westbury) to two conference championships, the first and only two in school history.
Following her college career, Tori transitioned to coaching the sport with children of all ages currently specializing in skill development and fundamentals.
Tori is currently working for the Brooklyn Nets Basketball Academy as well as the Shua Strong organization. She is passionate, hardworking and a natural at teaching children the ins and outs of the sport. Tori prides herself on teaching life changing skills on as well as off the court.