Vincent and Larena Payne started a youth basketball program after noticing a gap in youth sports in 2009. Vincent Payne said youth sports largely focused on football, leaving few options for children who wanted to play other sports. A former basketball player, he wanted kids to be able to play the sport year-round.
The Fort Worth Wildcats Boys Basketball Team has operated as an elite travel team for 16 years and competes across Texas. The team also plays in local leagues and tournaments. Larena Payne said about 35 to 40 kids are involved each year. Parents usually learn about the program through word of mouth or social media. It mainly operates in the Highland Hills neighborhood.
Vincent Payne said the team wins often against programs around the state, but he said the program is about more than wins and losses. The group holds information sessions that teach players practical skills, such as tying a tie or changing a tire. Larena Payne said the goal is to show players there are other things to pursue besides basketball. The Paynes were nominated for the Fort Worth Report's 52 Faces of Community series, which highlights unsung heroes in Tarrant County.