Bilal Benjamin is a national evaluator, journalist, and the founder behind platforms that have helped shape the grassroots basketball space. With over a decade of experience in training, scouting, networking and media, his work is rooted in being present, in the gym, at events, and around the players and coaches who drive the game forward.
What started as a passion for development has grown into a platform built on evaluation, exposure, and real understanding of the game. From identifying talent to telling stories and creating opportunities, the focus has always remained the same, bring value to the game the right way.
This platform isn’t built on opinions or outside perspective. It’s built on experience, years of seeing players up close, understanding what translates, and building relationships across every level of the game. That perspective is what drives everything here, from content and coverage to the opportunities created through it.
About Bilal
NGS Hoops | NGSN
Today, that experience carries into NGS Hoops and the Next Gen Sports Network, where media, scouting, and events all come together. From running national events to producing content and evaluations, the goal remains the same: create real access, real visibility, and real opportunities for the next generation.
Present
1st Love Basketball
That foundation led to the evolution of 1st Love Basketball, shifting into scouting, evaluation, and exposure. From covering events to hosting showcases and camps, the focus became identifying talent, breaking down the game, and connecting players to prep schools, colleges, and real opportunities. At the same time, relationships were built across the game, linking players, coaches, and programs through a platform rooted in authenticity and trust.
July 1, 2019 - November 17, 2025
Love Ballin Athletics
Built from the ground up, this journey started in 2013 with the creation of Love Ballin Athletics, a training and development platform focused on mentoring, coaching, and building players from the earliest stages all the way to the professional level. What began as a vision to help others through the game quickly grew into camps, clinics, showcases, and a movement centered around development and opportunity.
January 2, 2013 - November 20, 2019
RESULTS PROVE HARD WORK
From The Ground Up
THE GAME
WITHIN THE LINES
Everything in the game is connected. These are the LINES that shape it.
Leverage
Creating real movement in the game through positioning, strategy, and access to the right opportunities.
Insight
A deeper understanding of the game built from being in it. Recognizing what translates and what truly separates players.
Network
Strong relationships across players, coaches, and programs that open doors and create real access at every level.
Exposure
Putting the right eyes on the right talent through consistent coverage, events, and platforms that matter.
Scouting
Honest and detailed evaluations rooted in experience. Identifying strengths, growth areas, and long term potential.
Everything in the game is connected. The difference is understanding how the lines move.