Place To Play Foundation

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Place to Play Scholarships

We’re opening doors for the community. 

Through our partnerships with BBallers Hoops and Long Beach Community Action Partnership, income-based scholarships are now available for:

• BBallers Hoops School (February)

• Little Ballers Hot Shots (February)

With their commitment to community uplift aligning perfectly with our mission, we’re powered up to provide more scholarship opportunities and better support for young hoopers striving to reach their full potential—on and off the court. These partnerships mark a fresh chapter in our journey to empower student-athletes through hoops and higher education—extending access, making an impact, and building futures beyond the game.

Scholarship Overview

These scholarships help make BBallers’ top-tier training accessible to young athletes based on financial need. All applicants must verify that their household income meets the eligibility limits set by the Long Beach Community Action Partnership (LBCAP).

The Place to Play Scholarship is federally supported and funded by the Long Beach Community Action Partnership to help ensure fair access for all families.

Application Guidelines

  • Families must meet LBCAP income guidelines and provide documentation to apply

  • Income verification is required for all applicants

  • Limited scholarships available

Application Process

Complete the scholarship pre-application. If eligible, our team will contact you to complete the final application.

  • Required
    • Proof of Identity
    • Proof of Residency
    • Proof of Household Income
COMPLETE PRE-APPLICATION
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Gregory C. Smith

For Gregory C. Smith, creating a safe place to play is more than a mission—it’s personal. Born and raised in South Los Angeles, he grew up surrounded by the realities of gang culture and violence. While many of his peers were pulled into those circumstances, Gregory found direction and purpose through two powerful influences: his love for sports and the steady guidance of his father, a respected local pastor. Witnessing his father lay friends to rest almost every other Saturday gave Gregory a profound understanding of the real stakes facing young people in at-risk communities.

Today, Gregory turns his life experiences into action through the Place to Play Foundation, a Long Beach–based nonprofit focused on youth development and sports equity. As the Founder and CEO of both the Foundation and BBallers Hoops LLC, he works to make sure every child has access to quality training, regardless of financial circumstances.

By operating as the charitable arm of his basketball academy, the Foundation provides scholarships, mentorship, and character-building programs to youth in need. Gregory’s work is driven by a simple belief: every child deserves the chance to succeed in a positive, supportive environment.