Imagine growing up in an ethnically diverse, poor neighborhood with little hope for the youth that lived there.

Eric DeWolfe doesn't have to imagine having grown up in South Rockport, Texas at a place known affectionately as "Mexican Park." Most of these residents of Rockport were of meager means and some even on public assistance. DeWolfe and his friends had a hard time envisioning a better life.

But everything changed when the city built a small basketball court at the park in front of his house. It didn't take long for him to form his own team.

As a huge Boston...