120+ TEAMS
4 DIVISIONS

OUR STORY

In 2017, after retiring from a professional basketball career in Europe, Joe Chapman founded Chapman Basketball Academy (CBA) with a simple but powerful vision: to use the game of basketball to help develop confident, disciplined, and high-character young people.

 

Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, Joe experienced firsthand the impact that youth sports can have on a child's life. Basketball provided more than competition—it offered structure, mentorship, accountability, and a sense of belonging during a time when those opportunities were invaluable.

 

As a student-athlete at Marquette University, Joe learned lessons that extended far beyond the court. Teamwork, selflessness, leadership, resilience, and an unwavering work ethic became the foundation of his success. Those lessons continued throughout his professional career overseas, where competing in different countries exposed him to new cultures, challenged him to adapt, and reinforced the importance of discipline, perseverance, and personal growth.

 

Those experiences continue to shape the philosophy of Chapman Basketball Academy today. While we are committed to developing skilled basketball players, our greater purpose is to help young athletes become exceptional teammates, leaders, students, and people. We believe basketball is one of the greatest tools for teaching life lessons that extend far beyond the final buzzer.

What began in 2017 with just five teams has grown into one of the premier youth basketball organizations in the Midwest. Today, Chapman Basketball Academy operates across four divisions, serving more than 100 teams and nearly 1,000 athletes each year.

Our growth has never been measured solely by wins and championships. It is measured by the relationships we build, the culture we create, and the lasting impact we make on every athlete who wears a Chapman jersey.

 

Our mission remains the same today as it was on day one: develop better basketball players by developing even better people.