Nini’s Court - Family chosen and by blood
“Part of her childlike essence is getting healed through the Hoopbus”
Before -(Pakil)
After: The Susan Liwanag Murrell Court -Nini’s court
If you ask anyone about David’s mom, Susan, they’ll tell you she’s a special lady. She has a way of putting people at ease with nothing more than her kindness and her smile.
David Morrell was one of Hoopbus Philippines’ first ambassadors. After playing Division I basketball at Long Beach Millikan in CA, he played for The University of Philippines before getting drafted 20th overall to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Moving to the Philippines was a homecoming, not just for David, but for his mom as well, who was born there. From the start, he made sure part of his contract covered flights for his mom and sister to visit him twice a year.
David with his mom, Susan, and his uncles
David quickly built a reputation with the bus. He’d show up to an event “just to chill,” and minutes later he’d be dunking up and down the court, contagious smiles spreading across kids’ faces. He never asked for anything in return - rare for a professional athlete. He is the definition of being where your feet are.
Family is at the core of everything David does. On November 15, 2021, his dad passed away. Since then, it’s been just him, his mom, and his sister. Keeping family close, Susan splits her time between the US and the Philippines, six months with her daughter and six months with David where her story began.
Her upbringing was far from easy. She was born in Pakil, in the province of Laguna, a few hours from Manila. At four years old, she was walking the streets selling bread to survive. David knew the pain that lived in those memories. He wanted to weave something new into the fabric of her childhood, and he knew exactly how.
He approached Jordan, the director of Hoopbus Philippines, with a simple dream: honor his mom with a court in her hometown. “Even if it’s just the lines,” he said, offering to cover half of the cost himself. David had become family and as someone who never asked for anything, it was our turn to show up for him.
The question became: how do we make this happen?
In the Philippines, things move without delay and with heart. People step up. Mike Swift, a master court painter who has muraled more than 300 courts, led the project. Local friends discounted paint. The HB family gave their time. What started as repainting lines quickly turned into a full court refurbishment in honor of Susan.
The painting crew (Jordan fourth in from the left)
Mike Swift
The team made a weekend out of it. Jordan says the group in the Philippines is special: “HB Philippines is creating a big friend group with one another, we all pour into each other’s cup.” When the people around you show up for you like that, it becomes easier to show up for everyone else.
Ten of them arrived early to lay the primer: a clean white base before the color. While it dried in the sun, they swam at nearby waterfalls and took in the natural beauty of Pakil. When they came back, the court was dry and calling for a game. It didnt take long for a crowd to gather and soon 700 to 800 were playing/watching as runs broke out.
The court with its primer coat
The crowd gathered at the Susan Liwanag Murrell Court - post primer
“HB Philippines is creating a big friend group with one another, we all pour into each other’s cup. ”
To finish the court, the team painted “Susan Liwanag Murrell” along the sideline - lovingly known as Nini. She hadn’t spent a night in her hometown in 43 years. Through David’s love and initiative, she returned to see her name permanently inscribed in the place where she grew up. A true homecoming.
“Part of her childlike spirit is healing through the Hoopbus.” This is the point. David reminds us that what you put into the world, you get back. Leading with kindness, as Susan taught David, is something we can all lead with in our own lives.
Susan on the left
Special Thanks:
Thank you to Gio, Jordan and especially David for sharing this story.
Hear from David directly: interviewed by Dj PiaB
Stay tuned for the official ribbon cutting ceremony of Nini’s court - coming soon!
Written By: Coco Barton