Where RISE Began: From YMCA to College Hoops
Coach Jules’ first job after returning from playing overseas was at the Glendale YMCA, where he served as the Basketball Director running youth leagues. While working there, he noticed several talented players — one in particular stood out: Blake Ballard.
Coach Jules approached Blake’s father and shared that he was starting a competitive team built from YMCA talent, and believed Blake would be a perfect fit. Blake attended the very first tryout and officially became a member of the first-ever RISE team.
From that point, the group trained, practiced, and competed together every week and weekend for over a year and a half. Blake was not only the first player on that team, but also the first athlete Coach Jules personally trained when RISE began.
When Coach Jules made the tough decision to move to Albuquerque, New Mexico, he continued to grow RISE there. Though he no longer coached Blake directly, the relationship never faded. Jules and Blake (and his dad) stayed in touch through:
Yearly training sessions when Jules visited Los Angeles
Regular phone calls to provide advice and mentorship
Game visits at least once per season whenever Jules was back in California
Today, Blake has earned a full scholarship at Division II Concordia University Irvine, continuing his basketball journey at the collegiate level. To this day, Coach Jules and Coach Blake remain connected — whenever Jules visits L.A., the two meet up to train, watch a game, or simply catch up.
From the YMCA to the college hardwood, Blake’s story is forever part of RISE’s foundation.
