NEW YORK – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced the launch of five dynamic basketball-themed characters, “The NBA Hoop Troop,” to represent the league’s comprehensive and interactive youth-focused platform aimed at growing the game of basketball among boys and girls ages 6-12.

The starting five – Ally Oop, Swish, Slam, Gym Bag, and Sneaker – will debut on NBAHoopTroop.com, a joint venture between the NBA and Cartoon Network, on Oct. 30, to increase kids’ knowledge and excitement about basketball and the NBA.

Along with NBAHoopTroop.com, the characters will live within digital, print, and television advertising campaigns throughout the season, and will make appearances at marquee NBA events, including NBA All-Star 2013 in Houston.

“The NBA Hoop Troop team was created to help introduce kids to the core values of our game – teamwork, passion, dedication, sportsmanship, and healthy living – at an early age,” said NBA Vice President of Multicultural / Targeted Marketing Saskia Sorrosa. “The NBA’s biggest fans will engage young people in what we hope will be a long-term, positive love of the game.”

Each of The NBA Hoop Troop characters brings a unique personality:

• Ally Oop – With the highest basketball IQ of the group, she has knowledge and skill, and is excellent at motivating the other characters and kids. She is constantly focusing on athleticism and healthy lifestyles, making her the team’s healthy-lifestyle champion.
• Swish – He’s “nothing but net,” and he enjoys entertaining the crowd with his incredible basketball skills and athleticism.  Swish makes it a point to emulate the amazing feats of the NBA professionals.  As a result, he has emerged as the smooth talkin’, high flyin’, back flippin’ showman of The NBA Hoop Troop.
• Slam – He is pure basketball strength and power and he has earned a reputation as the big man in the group.  Armed with his trademark orange dimpled skin and famous battle cry, he’s one track-minded on the court, so if you see Slam headed your way…MOVE!
• Gym Bag – As the funny one, he loves practical jokes and always carries the right equipment for the job in his “bag” of tricks.  Gym Bag doesn’t always know when to keep it “zipped” – his big mouth sometimes gets him into trouble with the other members of the group.
• Sneaker – A huge, loyal and fun-loving dog with a habit of sneaking off with other’s shoes.  He’s great with kids and always wants a big hug from them.  Sneaker is the sweet tempered, courageous, intelligent, calm, and trustworthy member of the NBA Hoop Troop.

In keeping with the league’s commitment to promoting healthy and active lifestyles, NBAHoopTroop.com is working with KidsHealth.org, the number one website for children’s health information, to create custom health and wellness content for kids, including fitness and nutrition tips for staying healthy and active.

“The NBA Hoop Troop” cast of characters was created in conjunction with Artifact Design, Inc. Tipping off Oct. 31, NBA Hoop Troop will team up with Kids Foot Locker to launch a retail promotion in more than 200 stores throughout the season.