In 2008, Randall Smith and Johnny Floyd formed the Atlanta Hoyas, a team that provides a family-oriented environment where athletes come to develop as players and people.

Introduction

Randall Smith and Johnny Floyd transitioned from Inner Strength in 2008 to form the Atlanta Hoyas, a team that provides a family-oriented environment where athletes, both recruited and selected via tryouts, come to develop as players and people. The Hoya players primarily come from Gwinnett County with a handful from Fulton County. Their approach differs from some AAU organizations in that the end goal from individual players looks more like stairs than a path from point A to B. “Our mission is to get kids to the next level, whether it’s getting younger kids ready for high school or getting high school players ready for college,” said Smith.  

The Hoyas have grown fast, jumping from one cornerstone team to three teams in only two seasons. As the organization has grown, on-court success has followed. This season, the 15U team has already been a runner-up at the Hotlanta Invitational and made it to the elite eight of the Disney Easter Classic. They’ve also achieved individual success with five 15U players making varsity teams for the respective schools.

Philosophy

Since there beginning two years ago, Smith and Floyd have pounded the pavement looking for kids that fit their organization from a talent and personality standpoint. “People have learned about our tryouts from word of mouth, but we have used the Internet and passed out flyers to let people know about us,” said Smith.

What they kids receive when they become a Hoya is an organization that stresses loyalty above all else. “Lots of organizations will recruit kids and then replace them with other kids halfway through the season. We don’t do that. Once you are on the team, you’re on the team,” said Smith.

They also go beyond coaching on the court to provide mentorship for their athletes. Barbecues, field trips and one-on-one time with players are all part of what Smith and Floyd do to help their team “gel” both on and off the court. “We provide an open avenue to us. We want our kids to be comfortable coming to us with problems in school and at home,” said Smith. Many of our kids come from the Gwinnett area. People think that because it is the suburbs that people don’t have issues, but that’s not true.”

Outlook

The Hoyas will be bringing their 15U and 17U teams to D1Spects’ Atlanta Invitational Tournament.  The 15U team us led by the guard tandem All-Gwinnett County Honorable Mention point guard Randall Smith and shooting guard Brian Hamlett. They also receive strong contributions from forward Nafis Floyd and the Dacula High duo Brandon Goodson (PG) and Jaylen Williams (SG, SF.)

The 17U team is led by another All- Gwinnett County honorable mention performer, Avante Hall. Forward Dinesh Brown was a top-20 scorer and rebounder in Gwinnett County for Archer High. Brown, along with Archer High teammate Chris Donaldson make a formidable lineup for the Hoyas.