At just ten years old, RJ Williams may not be the longest tenured Y member, but in the world of YMCA youth sports, he’s already a seasoned veteran.

“I think we started him with basketball skills at three years old,” RJ’s dad Robert said. “He did junior YBL and then after two years, I started coaching his teams. Now we’re ready for another season.”

In addition to basketball, RJ has participated in the YMCA’s flag football and soccer leagues. 

“There is a lot of cheering and I love being with my teammates,” RJ said. “I’ve learned new passing and shooting techniques from my coaches. They help me when I don’t know how to do something.”

Robert said that Y sports programs have allowed RJ to develop skills off the court as well.

“I remember bringing him into basketball in the early days and he was so shy,” Robert said. “After a couple years, he started to be recognized by the coaches and his ability to make friends improved. He’s built up a camaraderie with his teammates, as well as lifelong friendships.”

Robert believes the Y’s emphasis on promoting teamwork and the life lessons that can be learned from sports helps instill a positive self-image in players like RJ.

“You can see what the Y is about as an organization and everyone can benefit from it,” Robert said. “It’s all about character building and family building. Seeing kids be in Y programs and progress in all aspects of life is the key.”

YMCA youth sports programs teach kids the fundamentals of the game, while reinforcing the organization’s core character values- caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

RJ’s mom, Ebonie, believes that it was these values, which he learned at the Y, that helped him to recently advance to the quarterfinals of Colossal Impact’s Youth Athlete of the Year Competition, which benefited the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Why Not You Foundation for youth empowerment.

“RJ was very proud to represent our YMCA community,” Ebonie said. “The Y has played such a huge role in his growth as an athlete and a kid.”

And for kids thinking about playing sports at the Y, RJ’s message is simple.

“You’re going to have a lot of fun here,” he said.

The Y thanks the Williams family for their continued support of YMCA programs.

If you would like to sign up for the upcoming YBL season, today is the final day of our 2025 YBL Sale! Families who register using promo code YBLSALE2025 will save $10! Learn more and register today by clicking here.

If you are interested in serving as a volunteer basketball coach this winter, you can sign up by clicking here.