Brooklyn, NY, May 1st, 2025 – Learn Fresh and GameChanger, the #1-rated youth sports app for live streaming, scheduling, statistics, and scorekeeping, have partnered to bring NBA Math Hoops Live to students at John D. Wells Middle School in Brooklyn. The event featured a student competition using the on-court version of NBA Math Hoops, Learn Fresh’s flagship program that combines the excitement of basketball with core math and life skills.
Learn Fresh is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing innovative STEM learning experiences that empower educators and inspire students. GameChanger, part of the DICK’S Sporting Goods family, believes that youth sports change lives on and off the field. A natural partner at the intersection of STEM and sports, initiatives like NBA Math Hoops Live exemplify how sports can serve as a powerful tool to support education and student development. As a tech leader in youth sports, GameChanger brings a unique perspective to this work, creating new opportunities for students across the country.
John D. Wells Middle School was one of 50 educational sites nationwide selected to receive an NBA Math Hoops Live Kit, made possible through Learn Fresh’s partnership with GameChanger. Funded by GameChanger, the kits are part of a free program for educators, designed to engage students in an immersive learning experience that strengthens their math skills through dynamic and interactive physical gameplay. Educators applied to receive kits last fall, with final selections announced in March and program implementation beginning shortly after.
The event kicked off Thursday morning, with students welcomed by representatives from Learn Fresh, GameChanger, and middle school staff. Special guests included Nick Monzi, CEO & Co-Founder of Learn Fresh; Sameer Ahuja, President of GameChanger and SVP of DICK’S Sporting Goods; and Rebecca Wasserman, VP of Strategic Initiatives and Impact at GameChanger. Around 30 students from John D. Wells were selected to take part in the game.
Students were divided into two teams to compete in a full-length game, which featured two 12-minute halves with teams switching sides at halftime.
Jack Molfetta, P.E. teacher, reflected on how the program supported his students, "[NBA Math Hoops Live] met every kid at each level, even the kids who weren't that good at math, they had their teammates kind of helping them out to get them through the game... It's just a great game, and I really liked how easy it was for the kids to pick up and engage with."
Following the game, students got the chance to meet Ahuja during a mini “press conference”. Students were eager to ask questions and learn more about his inspiration for being part of the youth sports community.
NBA Math Hoops Live brings the beloved board game to life—right on the basketball court. This exciting physical activity edition of Learn Fresh’s NBA Math Hoops program transforms math learning into a high-energy, movement-based experience. Rooted in the same core elements as the original program—which includes a basketball-themed board game, 10-lesson curriculum, mobile app, and community events—NBA Math Hoops Live takes engagement to the next level.
Custom floor tiles recreate the gameboard layout across the court, with numbers placed strategically throughout the space. Students solve math problems, then race to the corresponding tile to take their shot—just like their favorite NBA or WNBA superstars. Along the way, they build algebra readiness, critical thinking, and teamwork skills in a fun, fast-paced environment.
The core NBA Math Hoops program is offered free to school-day and out-of-school-time educators. It is designed for students in grades 4-8 and is adaptable to a variety of learning spaces.
“The event was full of energy and excitement,” said Nick Monzi, CEO and Co-Founder of Learn Fresh. “Seeing students fully embrace the game was incredibly inspiring. They were engaged from start to finish, showcasing the impact that connecting students' passions to their classroom learning can have on their educational journeys. We’re grateful to GameChanger for this partnership and the opportunity to support students on and off the court.”
“It was inspiring to see the impact that a program like NBA Math Hoops can have on kids,” said Ahuja. “Sports are a powerful gateway to learning, and we’re proud that GameChanger can play a small part in helping students build confidence and skills that will serve them for life.”
About Learn Fresh:
Learn Fresh is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing innovative STEM learning experiences that empower educators and inspire students. Through community, play, and rigorous exploration, we leverage students’ passion for sports and entertainment to inspire their STEM learning and foster essential life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and leadership. Our programs are explicitly focused on students living in low-income communities. We believe all students deserve a quality and engaging education. To date, our programming has engaged nearly 1 million students across the US and beyond. Programs include NBA Math Hoops, MLB Players STEM League, MLS STEM Goals, and EcoTour. More information can be found at www.learnfresh.org.
About GameChanger:
GameChanger empowers athletes, coaches, and families to stay connected through live streaming, scheduling, statistics, and scorekeeping. Available on iOS, Android, and the web, GameChanger covers over 9M+ games annually and 1M+ teams a year. The live streaming and scheduling technology is available for all youth sports, with deep stats and scorekeeping capability for baseball, softball and basketball. GameChanger is based in New York City and is owned and operated by DICK’S Sporting Goods.