Building a better world one player at a time.
Colorado Hoopsters is a non-profit, which focuses on providing opportunities to
kids through competitive basketball and prepares for academic success.
Hope through Hoops
The Colorado Hoopsters provide student-athletes the opportunity to play competitive basketball. We teach the importance of fundamentals, competition, perseverance, and goal setting. It's not about winning and losing. It's about preparing yourself for the competition and maximizing your efforts. We give kids hope.
Attitude + Effort = Outcome
College Readiness
The Colorado Hoopsters provides student-athletes with access to academic support, educational guidance and enrichment activities. Furthermore the Colorado Hoopsters help student-athletes with college and NCAA preparation and readiness for college graduation. We support all schools.
College graduation is our goal!
Community Engagement
The Colorado Hoopsters participate in various community and volunteer events. Our student-athletes are leaders in their communities and schools. Furthermore every student-athlete attends monthly leadership and character education classes.
We are global leaders!
Our Relentless Focus
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Colorado Hoopsters is to provide an educational, athletic and positive life altering experience through competitive, elite basketball.
Opportunity
The Colorado Hoopsters provide opportunities for student-athletes to grow as individuals.
Basketball provides an excellent platform to teach key life skills such as leadership, discipline, promote teamwork, perseverance, healthy living and goal setting.
Academics
The Colorado Hoopsters provide academic support, educational guidance, NCAA guidance and college readiness preparation to student-athletes.
Community Leadership
The Colorado Hoopsters host annual community events such as a Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner Give Away, Build-A-Bike Give-Away, Christmas Toy Drive and Clothes Drive to help people and communities in need.
Team Costs
The reality is that it remains financially out of reach for many qualified and deserving youth to participate in competitive sports. Therefore, the Hoopsters, are committed to providing opportunities for young athletes to develop and play competitive sports while eliminating the financial barriers.
We hope you appreciate our mission, vision and philosophy and join us in our journey. The Colorado Hoopsters have had the same student-athlete driven mission for over 30 years. Today, the Colorado Hoopsters have helped thousands of student-athletes maximize their basketball potential, achieve academic success and become leaders in the world.
We are CHAMPIONS!
Meet the Staff
Gabe Trujillo
Executive Director/ Coach
Coach Gabe Trujillo, an original Harvey Park Hoopster, has been coaching and teaching for more than 20 years. Coach Gabe played college and professional basketball. Coach Gabe has been a teacher, high school coach (Colorado Academy, Lincoln, Denver North and Denver West High Schools), Athletic Director (Lincoln and Montbello High School) and Principal (Sheridan High School and Manny Martinez Middle School). Gabe was also the CEO/ President of Colorado UpLift. Coach Gabe is married to his wife Ellena and has 2 kids Alexei and Alicia who are Hoopsters!
"I have spent my entire life working with kids. There is nothing I would rather do."
Billy Salaz
Coach
Coach Billy Salaz has been coaching for 20+ years. Coach Billy most recently served as Head Coach at Adams City High School. Coach Billy has coached high school and club teams across the metro area. Coach Billy is father to 3 beautiful daughters Christina, Amber and Jordan and 5 grandchildren to Nevaya, Derrick, Nikolas, Nathaniel and Ry. He is a loving father and husband to his wife Crystal. When Coach Billy is not on the court you can catch him in his Mach 1 Mustang.
Khyrs Contreraz
Coach
Coach Khrys Contreraz has been around the game of basketball since he was a small child. Khrys played high school at Adams City High School. Coach Khrys has served as the Assistant Coach at The Academy Both Sides’. Coach Khrys is currently the Head Coach at Denver North High School.
Coach Khrys spends time with his wife Ashley.
"I love the game and love working with my team to accomplish our goals."
Oscar Cedillo
Board Member/ Coach
Coach Oscar Cedillo was born and raised in Denver, CO, graduated from Denver West High School and earned his degree at University of Denver. He has been coaching basketball and football for over 10 years and is currently the head coach of the Bear Creek 4th grade girls team as well as the Colorado Hoopsters 4th grade girls team. His passion has always been coaching and mentoring young kids at all levels and is confident that he is able to relate to the young athletes and create a sense of enthusiasm and love for the game. Oscar's goals for his players are to become the best they can be, to earn a sense of discipline and pride in their craft; on and off of the court. Oscar has been married to his beautiful wife Angelique for 13 years, has a 9 year old daughter Malena (Hoopster) and a 6 year old son Cruz. He loves spending time with his family and loves them very much. "I love coaching and hooping."
Cesar Cedillo
Coach
Coach Cesar Cedillo is a proud graduate of Denver West high school. Coach Cesar is a professional educator with the Denver Public Schools. He has been coaching basketball, football and baseball for 20+ years. Coach Cesar has coached boys’ and girls’ middle school and high school basketball teams mostly in the Denver Public Schools. Currently, he serves as head coach for both boys (7th grade) and girls (4th grade) basketball teams at Notre Dame Catholic School. Coach Cesar believes coaches need to provide and create a positive learning environment where players feel supported and have a joy of playing ball. He wants his players to have confidence in themselves and be great teammates. He is father to Roman (12 years old) and Hoopster Anaya (9 years old). He is married to his wonderful wife Rosella.
Ellena Trujillo
Social Media/ Photography
Ellena has been involved in athletics administration for the 5 years. Ellena has 2 daughters (current Hoopsters Alexei and Alicia) that play competitive volleyball and basketball. Ellena is also the team photographer and videographer.
Steve Fendry
Board Member/Coach
Coach Steve Fendry has been coaching hoops for more than 20 years. Coach Steve was a high school All-American, college All-American and professional basketball player. Coach Fendry is a Hall of Fame Athlete at Western State University. He started coaching the Hoopsters in 2001. Coach Fendry won 3 state high school championships as a High School Head Coach at Mullen High School in Denver, Colorado. Coach Fendry is currently teaching and coaching at Brighton High School. You can find Steve in a gym somewhere working with kids.
Gary Rhoades
Founder/ Consultant/ Coach
Gary Rhoades is the Founder of the Harvey Park Hoopsters and the Colorado Hoopsters. Gary started coaching youth at several Denver Parks and Recreation Centers including Harvey Park Recreation Center. Gary gathered a group of kids and conducted skill and drill sessions year round. During this time Gary assembled teams to play across the city and state. Eventually the Colorado Hoopsters formed and started competing on a national level. Gary was a high school and college All-American at Denver West High School and Colorado State University. Gary is the father of Meschak Rhoades, former Colorado Hoopster and Regis University star, and husband to Coach Glenda Rhoades.
Noah Vigil
Coach
Coach Vigil was born and raised in the Denver metro area, and played basketball while attending Jefferson High School in Edgewater, Colorado. He's been coaching club basketball since 2016 and has been around our beloved game his entire life. Coach Vigil has a passion for player development and loves to inspire, motivate and challenge young athletes to be transformational leaders on and away from the hardwood.
Coach Vigil is married to his beautiful wife Jacqueline Vigil and has 3 kids Gianna, Jayda (current Hoopster) and Noah Jr. Coach Noah's life revolves around God, family and basketball.
