On July 11, dozens of kids attended Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears’ Fifth Annual Youth Basketball Clinic.

Jake Brosius (left), a program coordinator at the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, practices defensive footwork with Bryson Gooch, 10, on July 11, 2025, at Friendship Westside Center for Excellence in Indianapolis. “We enjoy bringing the kids out,” Brosius said. “It’s really an opportunity for a lot of those kids who may have nothing better to do on a Friday in the summer. We hang out, play ball and connect.” Credit: Claire Nguyen/Mirror Indy
Yianni Tejada dribbles a ball before Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears’ Fifth Annual Youth Basketball Clinic on July 11, 2025, at Friendship Westside Center for Excellence in Indianapolis. Yianni went to the clinic with his brother Josuel, and they later played a friendly game against each other. Credit: Claire Nguyen/Mirror Indy
A Marion Country Prosecutor’s Office ball hangs above the rim of a basketball hoop July 11, 2025, at Friendship Westside Center for Excellence in Indianapolis. Each kid participating in the clinic received a drawstring bag and a customized blue basketball. Credit: Claire Nguyen/Mirror Indy
Jake Brosius, a program coordinator at the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, starts the clinic with stretches July 11, 2025, at Friendship Westside Center for Excellence in Indianapolis. After stretches, Brosius lead the group to practice defensive footwork by having them run side-to-side on their toes. Credit: Claire Nguyen/Mirror Indy
Cayden Ware screams out “defense” during stretches July 11, 2025, at Friendship Westside Center for Excellence in Indianapolis. The defensive footwork rotation started with running side-to-side on their toes and then hitting the ground while screaming “defense!” Credit: Claire Nguyen/Mirror Indy
Kids throw basketballs to each other to practice passing July 11, 2025, at Friendship Westside Center for Excellence in Indianapolis. The first row to finish passing won a small trophy at the end of the clinic. Credit: Claire Nguyen/Mirror Indy
Keemani Haggard, 6, attempts to shoot a basket July 11, 2025, at Friendship Westside Center for Excellence in Indianapolis. Keemani attended with her brother RJ and practiced shooting with him until the end of the clinic. Credit: Claire Nguyen/Mirror Indy
Liam Glenn, 12, stretches his calf muscles July, 11, 2025, at Friendship Westside Center for Excellence in Indianapolis. Young hoopers were told to stretch out before playing so they won’t strain a muscle. Credit: Claire Nguyen/Mirror Indy
RJ Klomp (left), 9, stares down the ball while Bryson Gooch, 10, attempts to shoot July 11, 2025, at Friendship Westside Center for Excellence in Indianapolis. In the last 15 minutes of the clinic, young hoopers were encouraged to play a game or practice shooting. Credit: Claire Nguyen/Mirror Indy
Yianni Tejada (right) attempts to block a shot from his opponent, Cayden, on July 11, 2025, at Friendship Westside Center for Excellence in Indianapolis. Yianni received a blue Pacers arm sleeve during the clinic. Credit: Claire Nguyen/Mirror Indy
Liam Glenn, 10, practices his defensive stance during the clinic July 11, 2025 at Friendship Westside Center for Excellence in Indianapolis. Liam was joined by his brothers Xavier and Britton. Credit: Claire Nguyen/Mirror Indy
Small trophies sit on a table during Prosecutor Ryan Mears’ 5th Annual Youth Basketball Clinic on July 11, 2025, at Friendship Westside Center for Excellence in Indianapolis. Each player of a team that won a competition, like which team can hit three shots, received a small trophy. Credit: Claire Nguyen/Mirror Indy
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears (on the left) high-fives Zaniya Osborne, 9, after she makes a basket July 11, 2025, at Friendship Westside Center for Excellence in Indianapolis. Zaniya went to the clinic with her sister Zaria. “It’s really easy to get down on young people,” Mears said. “It’s really easy to get down on parents. Today is a great reminder that there are so many people out here who are doing the right thing.” Credit: Claire Nguyen/Mirror Indy
Participants, organizers and volunteers huddle together at the end of the clinic July 11, 2025, at Friendship Westside Center for Excellence in Indianapolis. “There are so many people out here who want to do the right thing, who are really working hard with their kids to try and put them in positions to be successful,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said. “It’s a good reminder to all of us to continue to focus on the people who want to do the work, who want to help, who want to make a difference.” Credit: Claire Nguyen/Mirror Indy

Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.

Claire Nguyen is a Dow Jones Fund digital media intern at Mirror Indy. Contact Mirror Indy at hello@mirrorindy.org.

Creative Commons License

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.

Local news delivered straight to your inbox

Mirror Indy's free newsletters are your daily dose of community-focused news stories.

By clicking Sign Up, you’re confirming that you agree with our Terms of Use.

Related Articles