Our Story
The Hoopers Hero Foundation was born from the intersection of two lifelong passions — real estate and a rediscovered love for photography — all sparked by a mother watching her son play basketball.
Megan Eyler's career has always been rooted in real estate. But when her son began playing basketball, something unexpected happened: a passion she had set aside years ago came rushing back. Having studied photography at the Art Institute and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, standing on the sidelines of those games, camera in hand, felt like coming home.
She started capturing the players — their hustle, their heart, their defining moments on the court. But the more she watched, the more she noticed something troubling: quality media coverage was expensive, and many of these talented young players simply couldn't afford it. So she started doing it for free.
That one act of generosity opened her eyes to something bigger. These kids needed more than great photos and highlight reels. They needed uniforms, camp fees, proper footwear — the basic tools to compete and grow. So Megan started stepping in wherever she could, covering costs out of her own pocket, one player at a time.
It became clear that to truly make a difference at scale, she needed a structure that could sustain and expand that mission. That's when The Hoopers Hero Foundation was born.
Today, Megan donates a great portion of her real estate and media business proceeds directly to the foundation. What started as a mother cheering from the sidelines has grown into a movement — because the hard truth is, every single day, young athletes are being left behind due to financial barriers. The Hoopers Hero Foundation exists to fight that reality, one player at a time.
The Mission
Every young athlete's journey is deeply personal and unique. Just like the monarch butterfly, they must go through their own transformation — no one can do it for them. The monarch seals itself inside its chrysalis alone, and through struggle, patience, and time, it emerges as something extraordinary.
But the monarch doesn't make the long journey alone. Every year, millions of monarchs migrate together — crossing mountains, braving storms, and pushing through exhaustion side by side. That journey takes endurance, but it also takes community.
Greatness works the same way. The hard work and growth? That part is yours alone. But the journey — the long road ahead — that's one no young hooper should have to travel by themselves.
We can't reach every young hooper. But we can reach one — and then another, and another.
The Hoopers Hero Foundation provides financial assistance for training, coaching, competition fees, travel, and equipment — partnering with the coaches, trainers, and programs that make this sport great, so that every young hooper gets a fair shot.
Our commitment goes beyond the game. We invest in the full journey — athletic, academic, and personal — believing that the discipline forged on the court, the teamwork built through competition, and the perseverance developed through adversity are lessons that extend far beyond basketball.
The monarch butterfly transforms alone — but it doesn't have to migrate alone. Neither do our young hoopers.