Our Mission: The Heart of MNASE Basketball League

Mentorship. Networking. Athletics. Support. Experience.

At MNASE Basketball League, our mission is to provide a transformational basketball experience rooted in structure, opportunity, and community. We exist to ensure that every athlete — regardless of background, skill level, or circumstance — has the chance to develop, compete, and be recognized.

We are not just a league. We are a movement. A system. A standard.
We serve athletes who are often overlooked, underestimated, or forgotten — and we give them a place to belong, be seen, and be great.

The Meaning Behind MNASE

Each letter in MNASE represents a core principle that guides everything we do:

Mentorship

We believe that every athlete deserves a mentor — someone to guide, challenge, and support them. Whether it's a coach, teammate, or program leader, mentorship is how we pass wisdom forward.
We don’t just teach skills — we teach character, accountability, and self-respect. We want every MNASE athlete to become not just a better player, but a better person.

Networking

Basketball is connection. It’s team huddles, post-game talks, and lifelong friendships. Through local and national programs, we connect players with coaches, peers, trainers, and communities that extend beyond the court.
Our goal is to build a basketball ecosystem where opportunity flows and relationships grow.

Athletics

We operate high-quality, professionally structured leagues, tournaments, and development programs. Every event is designed for serious play, consistent growth, and safe competition.
From youth players in the Mentality Academy to adult athletes in Secure the Crown, we raise the standard for how basketball should be delivered: with integrity, intensity, and respect.

Support

We support players who have been cut from school teams.
We support young coaches who are just starting out.
We support adult athletes who never stopped loving the game but needed structure to keep playing.
Through scholarships, leadership roles, and meaningful engagement, we provide a network of real support — emotional, logistical, and motivational.

Experience

The MNASE experience is not just about playing games — it's about creating moments that shape lives.
It’s getting your first jersey.
It’s being recognized for defense or hustle — not just scoring.
It’s receiving a handshake after your last tournament and being told, “You’ve grown.”
We craft these experiences with purpose, knowing that what players feel now will stay with them forever.

Who We Serve

MNASE exists for:

• The kid who’s always the last off the bench but first to dive for a loose ball

• The player who was cut because of their height, but still showed up every day

• The adult athlete who still wants to compete but needed a space to do it

• The student-athlete who’s chasing a scholarship but needs a platform to be seen

• The parent looking for a league where their child is coached with love and structure

We serve anyone with a basketball dream and the heart to chase it.

Our Vision for the Future

Our founder, Izell Scales, started MNASE in 2017 with a heart full of ambition and a deep personal story. He wasn’t the tallest, but he was the toughest. He wasn’t chosen by coaches, but he chose to lead. Today, his journey fuels the MNASE mission to expand opportunities across the country — starting in Minnesota and reaching every athlete who needs us.

We are growing MNASE to:

• Operate in every state, with regional hubs and traveling programs

• Provide certified coaching pipelines for former players and new leaders

• Launch scholarship opportunities, mentorship tracks, and league expansion into underrepresented areas

• Build a national reputation for integrity and athlete development

What Makes Us Different

• We don’t just run leagues — we build lifelines

• We don’t just reward talent — we elevate effort

• We don’t just serve athletes — we develop leaders

Every MNASE jersey, every tournament whistle, every stat-tracked game exists for a reason bigger than the scoreboard.

The Mission That Drives Us

We believe:

• That all athletes deserve access to high-quality basketball

• That leadership can be taught

• That character is more valuable than clout

• That a league is only as strong as the community behind it

We are here to level the playing field, raise the bar, and protect the soul of the game.
We are here for those who grind, those who grow, and those who give everything they’ve got.

We are MNASE —
And our mission is to help you Secure your future, your legacy, and your crown.