Oregon, the home of the Hoop Shoot

Started right in here in Oregon in 1946 by Past National President Frank Hise the Elks Hoop Shoot has grown from its humble beginnings as a way for every kid to participate to one of the largest youth athletic contests in the country with over 3 million kids participating annually in contests starting at the lodge llevel with winners advancing through district, state, and regional contests with the national finals being held in Chicago. And since 1975 the Basketball Hall of Fame has displayed a plaque with the names of all of the national champions of the Elks Hoop Shoot.

Hate has no home in the Hoop Shoot

You don’t have to be the fastest, biggest, or strongest athlete on the court to sink one free throw after another. Practice and precision are the name of the game. When you step up to the free throw line, it should be a level playing field.

The Elks National Foundation and the entire Hoop Shoot team nationwide are committed to making contests fully inclusive, equitable, and safe for all our participants and volunteers. We welcome and encourage all eligible kids to give the Hoop Shoot a shot.

We are all equal at the free throw line. Racism and intolerance have no place in the Hoop Shoot, on or off the court.

About the Hoop Shoot

The Hoop Shoot is open to kids who are (or will be by by April 1, 2023) 8 to 13. Each contest has six divisions:

  • Boys 8-9

  • Girls 8-9

  • Boys 10-11

  • Girls 10-11

  • Boys 12-13

  • Girls 12-13

Students enter into the contest at the local lodge by participating in their local lodge’s hoop shoot, a student can only participate in one lodge’s hoop shoot per year. At the Hoop Shoot each participant will shoot a total of 25 free throws for score. In the event of a tie the two ties contestants will have a shoot off of five free throws until a winner is determined. Each contest will have a winner in each of the six divisions who will advance to the next level of the competition. For the 2022-2023 Hoop Shoot District winners in each division advanced to the State Hoop Shoot held in February in Silverton, Oregon. Those winners will advance to the Regional Contest to represent Oregon. The Regional Contest will be held in Pasco Washington. The winners from all of the regional contests will then advance to the National Finals to be held in April in Chicago.