Late Night Basketball to hit Vallejo courts

Resurrected by community leaders and proactive partnerships, Late Night Basketball made its anticipated return to the court last year.

This year, organizers are doubling back and cementing the return of this eight-week program, starting with opening night on Friday.

The 2026 program will run through Aug. 8 at the Elite Public Schools, from 6 p.m. to midnight.

In its former years, Vallejo Late Night Basketball was known among the community for providing youth and young adults ages 12-25 with a safe, welcoming space on summer Friday nights.

During the course of the COVID pandemic, the program's sponsorship understandably fizzled out. It wasn't until 2025, when Vallejo City Councilmember Helen Marie "Cookie" Gordon partnered up with community partners to revive Vallejo Late Night Basketball.

In its first year back, the program served approximately 228 youth.

The program annually features basketball, mentorship, meals, activities, and a chance for youth to engage in meaningful community connection -especially needed at a time characterized by a digital divide.

This year's collaborators include Gordon, ELITE Public Schools, Greater Vallejo Recreation District, IHART, Center for Urban Excellence, NAACP Vallejo Branch, Suite Treatments, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and more.

Once again, local advocate Louis Michael will serve as the program director for Vallejo Late Night Basketball.

This year's program is a bit more expanded to better serve the needs of local youth, regardless of interest in basketball itself. 'We've tried to build out more programming to support people who may not be basketball players or interested in basketball," said Michael.

Each Friday will now feature a different theme, and alternative activities will be available, including board games, volleyball, jump rope, arts and crafts, etc.

"There's something for everybody," he said. "And I think that helps with those people who are kind of stuck in the house or don't want to get out - this gives them an opportunity to come and just be active for a few hours every Friday."

Local organizations and program sponsors will additionally be tabling on-site to provide community members with general resources and workshops.

A constant of the program, and an underlying intention, remains youth advocacy and mentorship. While the program is "no strings attached," explained Michael, and does not follow a specific mentee-mentorship structure, it's a hope among organizers to foster positive relationships.

"A big part of it is the mentorship and having trusted adults to be able to pour into the youth -to be there as somebody they can talk to, learn from," he said.

Representatives from each of the collaborating organizations, as well as community leaders, will be present, engaging with the youth in different ways.

"It's about bridging that generational gap and having some ways for young people to connect to their community and to the leaders and individuals in their community who care about them," he said.

For details and free registration, visit latenightbasketball.org

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