courtesy of Learn Fresh and the NBA
While most middle schoolers are kicking off their summer break with trips to the pool or video games, 12-year-old Kyler Jackson of Grand Rapids has something much bigger on the horizon: the bright lights of New York City and a seat at the NBA’s headquarters for the 2025 NBA Math Hoops Global Championship.
Kyler, a standout student and athlete, has been selected from a competitive pool of thousands across the United States and beyond to represent Michigan in the prestigious tournament. Hosted by Learn Fresh in partnership with the NBA and NBA Cares, the championship will take place June 24–27 during NBA Draft week, a fitting backdrop for a rising star with a mind as sharp as his jump shot.
“The STEM program hasn’t only helped me with my math science, but it’s also helped me socially,” Kyler said.
“The STEM program has helped me figure out who I am on the inside. I know I love to help people out.”
NBA Math Hoops isn’t your typical classroom assignment. The nationwide education initiative transforms learning into a fast-paced, basketball-themed board game, blending math, sportsmanship, and teamwork into a curriculum that’s as engaging as it is educational.
The program, which has reached more than a million students since its launch in 2012, requires players like Kyler to log at least 25 games and complete 10 in-depth lessons before even becoming eligible for nomination.
But numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. Championship participants are also selected based on their academic growth, perseverance, and character, qualities Kyler’s educators say he exemplifies both in and out of the classroom.
For instance, the Director of the STEM Scholars Program at STEM Greenhouse, Jhay Levi-Alford, wears many hats throughout the school year and sees the students through to the finish line but highlights that after-school programming is just as important because education shouldn’t stop at 3:00 p.m.
“We start out with a warm-up. So the warm-up is normally either social, emotional learning, leadership, college exploration, growth mindset, something to improve them just as a person,” Levi-Alford said.
“Then we go into science, which is a hands-on science activity, which could range from anything from Earth science to life science to nutrition.”
Kyler’s journey to the championship began last fall when his school introduced NBA Math Hoops through the Pistons’ regional program, which is the first year. What started as a fun way to boost math skills quickly turned into a passion project. Kyler committed to studying, solving complex equations, and honing his gameplay strategies, skills that are as critical on the Math Hoops board as they are on a basketball court.
“He’s ( Kyler) always the first kids there, and he’s always the last to leave, always wants to clean up, always wants to help,” Levi-Alford said.
“He’s the type of student that would take a loss on a round in order to make another student feel confident.”
Now, Kyler will bring that game sense to one of the most exciting stages a young student can dream of. He’ll join 23 other students, representing cities from Los Angeles to Little Rock and even as far as South Australia, for three days of spirited competition and educational exploration.
Kyler’s mother emphasized she prayed about this opportunity, and then I let it go.
“When I found out that he was selected, I was ecstatic,” Nikole said.
“His (Kyler) grades have gone up significantly since he’s been in the STEM program with the after-school program. He loves helping children around the school like he’s very acclimated within the school.”
But the championship experience isn’t just about math problems and buzzer-beaters. The trip to New York City includes behind-the-scenes tours, hands-on STEM workshops, and even a visit to the NBA Draft, an unforgettable opportunity for young fans to witness the future of professional basketball unfold.
Kyler says he’s excited to compete but even more thrilled to meet other students who share his love for learning and basketball and possibly see his favorite NBA player, Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
“I hope to see some of the players, take a few pictures, get a few things signed,” Kyler said.
“I really look forward to seeing Curry right now; everybody likes LeBron, but Curry is the guy.”
As Kyler prepares to board a plane for his first-ever trip to New York, his community in Grand Rapids is rallying behind him. Teachers, classmates, and neighbors are sending notes of encouragement, and the local Pistons Math Hoops program is celebrating his achievement as a shining example of how sports and education can intersect to open doors.
“Having an outlet that’s not of violence but that’s educational, and that’s fun, and that’s enriching to not only the students but the parents we work with, the schools we work with. It’s critical to students development,” Levi-Alford said.
“I want to show them that there is more out there than Grand Rapids, Michigan.
With a backpack full of pencils, stats, and Pistons pride, Kyler Jackson is ready to represent Grand Rapids on a global stage and maybe, just maybe, bring home the win.
“I would tell any student interested, even if they aren’t thinking about it, to try your hardest on what you do because you can succeed if you put your mind to it,” Kyler said.
“I’m very grateful for what this program has given me and what it can give me in the future.”
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