By Darry Jacobs, Contributing Writer
This summer in Detroit, basketball became more than a game—it became a bridge. The 2025 PeacePlayers Friendship Games transformed the city into a hub of global connection, cultural exchange, and leadership development, showing young people that sports can unite communities in powerful ways. With the Detroit Pistons behind the effort, the weeklong event left an impact that will last far beyond the hardwood.
PeacePlayers is an international nonprofit built on a simple idea: if kids can play together, they can learn to live and lead together. For more than two decades, it has used basketball to break down social and cultural barriers in communities around the world—from Northern Ireland to the Middle East to South Africa. The Friendship Games bring youth from these regions together to share stories, play the game they love, and build skills to become leaders in their own communities.
This year, for the first time, the United States hosted the event, and Detroit was chosen for its resilience, diversity, and community spirit. More than 100 youth leaders traveled to the city, representing PeacePlayers sites from across the globe. And behind the scenes, one figure helped make it all possible: Arn Tellem, Vice Chairman of the Detroit Pistons and a PeacePlayers Global Board member. Tellem worked closely with the organization, the Pistons, local schools, and community partners to ensure the Games ran smoothly and meaningfully. His leadership and vision helped bring international youth, local students, and professional athletes together in a way that was both inspiring and transformative.
Ron Holland II: Giving Back From Day One
Among the highlights of the Games was Pistons’ rookie Ron Holland II, who demonstrated that leadership and impact start with action. Drafted as a lottery pick in 2024, Holland has quickly shown that he’s focused not just on basketball but on using his platform to give back.
Holland’s commitment to community began in high school in Duncanville, Texas, and led to the founding of The Holland Group Foundation in 2023. The foundation prioritizes youth support, access to resources, and mental health, something Holland understands firsthand. Mentors like his high school coach, David Peavy, and former NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal played key roles in his development, showing him the value of guidance and emotional support alongside athletic training.
During the Friendship Games, Holland went beyond the spotlight. He donated 60 bicycles to support a “See Detroit Slow Roll,” giving participants a chance to explore the city while connecting with peers. He also hosted a basketball camp at the Henry Ford Pistons Performance Center, blending skill development with life lessons, sharing personal experiences, and emphasizing that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
“Basketball is more than drills,” Holland said. “It’s about having someone to talk to who understands you, who doesn’t judge. That’s how you grow—not just as a player, but as a person.”
More Than Basketball
The Games were carefully designed to be a space where cultural exchange and leadership development went hand in hand with sport. Participants engaged in workshops, shared meals, and collaborated on projects, discovering both the similarities and differences that make each culture unique. Local Detroit youth also joined in, learning from visiting peers and gaining new perspectives on their city.
One Detroit participant said it best: “You have to see people for who they are—not what history says about them.” That sentiment captures the heart of PeacePlayers: creating environments where connection, empathy, and understanding come first.
A Community Effort
The Pistons’ role was more than ceremonial. Their community engagement team worked alongside PeacePlayers to ensure the experience was meaningful and accessible. Jasmine Cooper, Director of PeacePlayers Detroit, praised the team’s commitment, saying it made kids feel recognized and supported. The presence of players like Holland and Caris LeVert, who participated in the opening ceremony, reinforced that message, showing youth that their goals, dreams, and voices matter.
Impact That Lasts
For the young leaders who attended the Friendship Games, the week planted seeds of leadership, empathy, and global awareness. For Detroit, it was a chance to shine as a city that can host and inspire the next generation of leaders. And for the Pistons and Arn Tellem, it was an example of how professional sports organizations can create impact far beyond the court.
The 2025 PeacePlayers Friendship Games were a reminder that basketball has the power to connect, inspire, and teach. When young people play together, share experiences, and learn from each other, walls fall—and bridges rise. With leaders like Ron Holland II and Arn Tellem guiding the way, those bridges are only getting stronger.
About the Author
Darryl Jacobs is a nationally recognized basketball analyst affiliated with ESPN, CBS, and NBA TV Sports Networks, and a seasoned sports executive. With more than 20 years of experience spanning higher education, corporate and professional sports leadership, and nonprofit management, he brings a comprehensive understanding of the industry. Darryl has collaborated extensively with professional athletes and has held leadership roles on several national boards focused on education, athletics, and community development.
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