Photo bySteven AbrahamonUnsplash

Rhode Island, known to locals as Little Rhody, is the smallest state in the USA, but don’t let its size fool you. This might be a tiny tadpole of a state, but it's got the heart of a full-grown frog when it comes to basketball! Everywhere you turn, there are kids dribbling balls, shooting hoops, and perfecting their slam dunks. The air is constantly filled with the rhythmic thumping of a bouncing ball and the swoosh of the net. And let me tell you about the kids that play basketball in Rhode Island, they are as unique and diverse as the colors in a rainbow. Take for instance, Dunkin' Dottie, the queen of the courts. Legend has it that she was born during a basketball game and she's been dunking donuts in her coffee ever since! She's got a jump shot as sweet as the glaze on a jelly donut and a slam dunk that sends tremors all the way to Massachusetts. Then there's Swoosh Sam, known for his famous fast-breaks. When he starts running, you'd swear he's got rocket boosters on his sneakers! He's so fast, he can finish a game of H-O-R-S-E before you can even spell the word! And let's not forget about Alley-oop Ali, who's got a bounce like a kangaroo and a three-point shot that's as accurate as a GPS. Put a basketball in her hand and she turns into a living, breathing, scoring machine. Yes, the kids of Rhode Island know how to play basketball and they play it with style. So, if you ever find yourself in the state of Rhode Island, be prepared for an exciting game of hoops. Just don't be surprised if a basketball rolls your way – in Little Rhody, everyone's invited to the game!