Nets on Fire is a facility that is about more than just basketball and they encourage kids to be better on and off the court.
The non-profit basketball facility holds tournaments, leagues, camps and rents space for athletic and non-athletic events.
It sponsored the Dixie State University men’s and women’s basketball games on Jan. 25 and gave out over 1,400 shirts for the “blackout” night. DSU’s basketball and volleyball teams plan to hold camps there over the summer.
Beyond the basketball training, Nets on Fire offers what Jermaine Odjegba, the on-site manager and president of the board, said is a “leadership academy” that is available to any kids who want to join. The academy is focused on character development through mentorship nights, fun activities, education and service projects.
“Our mission is helping kids become better, Odjegba said. “Not just basketball players, but we want kids to learn how to serve. We want the kids to learn leadership characteristics that can help them and take them to future jobs off the court.”
Shauna Odjegba, on-site manager and wife of Jermaine, said, one of her goals for the leadership academy this year is for all the kids to have a stronger support system and build relationships with people who have the same mindset as them.
“Our mission is helping kids become better.”
Jermaine Odjegba, the on-site manager and president of the board
“We want to help kids from all kinds of backgrounds have opportunities and access to a great facility,” Jermaine Odjegba said.
Nets on Fire offers individual, group and team basketball training for K-12 and works with youth of all skill levels. It also has open gym times for people of any age to come and play.
“They have a really big impact on the community,” Jada Edwards, a senior sports management major and Nets On Fire intern from Riverside, California, said. “Especially with everything they have coming. It just keeps growing and growing.”
Shauna Odjegba said it is also a great way to help kids stay out of trouble.
“We want everyone to know we are one big family here,” Jermaine Odjegba said. “We want to uphold and uplift each other. We’re all about pushing and striving to be better.”
Jermaine Odjegba said the company wants to get better community events going at the facility that would allow visitors from other communities and states to come and play. He said this would bring in a better diversity of competition to the area.
“I want them to gain confidence in themselves and to feel their worth,” Shauna Odjegba said. “They all have gifts and talents.”
For the Leadership Academy, speakers come talk to kids about topics like nutrition, finances, business and furthering their careers past basketball.
Jermaine Odjegba said, “It’s been great to have a great variety of good people and good staff to support the business.”
Easton Smith, a senior media studies major from Payson and intern at Nets on Fire, said one of the best highlights of the internship is being able to watch kids progress in their game, mature and seeing kids from all over Southern Utah work together.
“We want those that leave our facility to go serve and leave the community better than where they found it,” Jermaine Odjegba said. “We want to build stronger leaders in our community here to support and grow this county.”
Smith said the company is well-rounded and it’s growing like crazy. He said the management is also doing really well and getting good sponsors.
Nets on Fire has partnered with DSU in offering internships for communication studies, sports management, finance, marketing, media studies and many more.
You can find more information about Nets on Fire on its website netsonfire.org, on Instagram @netsonfire, on Facebook @netsonfirebasketball or contact its office at 435-705-4922.
