“I’ve been with the Hoopbus since 2019. Every trip has its own unique feeling but I knew this was going to be special. I knew it was going to be magical.”

— Elvin Rodriguez (HB Team)

In October, Hoopbus (HB) touched down in Europe. In just ten days, the bus traveled from Birmingham to Berlin, bringing its signature energy to every stop along the way and leaving behind a lasting legacy of people who experienced the magic of HB firsthand.

Birmingham UK -

The bus was built just 48 hours before the tour began — a true all-hands-on-deck operation.

Parked in a random lot, MK (part of the HB team) posted a photo of the bus on his story. Not long after, people started showing up out of nowhere and a crowd formed. The energy kept building. Elvin, another HB member, even broke a rim. “The whole thing was a movie,” he said.

Just like that, the bus was officially inaugurated.

Manchester UK -

The bus hit two spots in two days: Hulme Park and St. Peter’s Square.

On the way to a random pickup run, one guy spotted the bus and stopped in his tracks — jaw dropped.

“Woah… you’re really here!” he said.

He hopped on immediately and stayed with the team the entire day. The next morning, he was already at the activation site in St. Peter’s Square before the Hoopbus team arrived, ready to run it back.

That’s the effect the bus has. Everything else goes out the window.

“The crowds in Manchester were different - they didn’t leave”

— Elvin Rodriguez

St.Peters Roman Catholic High School - On the mic

London UK -

In London, the team was out all day starting in Trafalgar Square. The bus stopped at Oxford Street to visit the NBA store and ended with a park takeover before heading to the coast.

Brighton Beach UK -

The Brighton Beach Court is considered one of the most iconic courts in the country for a reason — its story runs parallel with the growth of basketball in the UK.

A true connection point for the community and lovers of the game, the court has long served as a hub for the sport. But in the early 2000s, basketball’s momentum stalled. The national team struggled, domestic games disappeared from TV coverage, and the court itself fell into disrepair. The community spoke up loudly — 98% called for investment and renovation.

That’s when Hoopsfix, a nonprofit founded by East Sussex local Sam Neter, stepped in and led the transformation of Brighton Beach into the colorful landmark it is today.

It made Brighton the perfect setting for an HB community block party — a celebration of the sport’s resurgence. The team ran open runs and soaked up the love from the locals.

Paris FR -

After crossing the Channel, HB had just one day in Paris and made it count. The team kicked things off with a City Pop-Up on Boulevard de Belleville, then pulled up to Levallois for an NBA activation, cappung the day with a One Ball open run.

Suitman performing in the street; Bastien dancing

Munich GR -

Nine hours later, the bus rolled into Germany. The crew ran City Pop-Ups and an NBA activation, then loaded up again, another nine-hour drive ahead. This time straight to Berlin.

Berlin GR -

Uber Arena. Youth camp pop-ups. City pop-ups. In the final city, the team went all out.

And when the tour finally came to an end, Elvin had one overwhelming thought: “I want to run it back.”

As an OG member of Hoopbus, he has real perspective, and for him, it hit different this time. They weren’t just moving city to city, they literally crossed an ocean to bring the HB experience to entirely new communities.

It really was magic.

Special thanks

The team was an all-star group of global talent: Hezi God, Elvin Rodriguez, MK, Bug Bug, Dj Pia, New Little Giant, Suitman, Kadour Ziani, SBB, Mathys Gilot, Anthony Degnan, Joe EDO’O, and Organicko.

Thanks to our partner: NBA

Written by: Coco Barton

NBA Europe Tour