Modest & Mighty Pt. 2: Jason Curry Runs the Play

By Randy Mason (Newark 2021), Contributor

For nearly three decades, Big Apple Basketball Founder Jason Curry has dedicated his life to helping young people grow on and off the court. In this humble but powerful feature, Jason reflects on his journey, sharing—through conversation, audio, and video—how basketball became a pathway for him to live out his faith and serve others.

“All I have to do is run the play.” –Jason Curry

 

Tell us about your ministry and how you fulfill its mission.

My ministry is lived out through my leadership at Big Apple Basketball. My personal calling and approach to leadership are rooted in my relationship with Christ. I use basketball, mentorship, and relationships as tools to help people grow in character, confidence, and purpose. I aim to reflect God’s love through the way I serve, lead, and show up for others in order to create pathways for opportunity, connection, and transformation beyond the game.

 

Why do you think God has called you to this work?

I believe God has called me to this work because He has gifted me in this space—as a player, coach, mentor, and connector. He has provided me with relationships, credibility, and access in NYC that allow me to reach people I might not otherwise be able to reach. I see this as stewardship of what He’s placed in my hands.

Growing up, there was a man named Gary Cain who invested an extraordinary amount of time mentoring and molding me. After I graduated from college, he actually became one of my closest friends. He passed away when I was 26, but his impact on my life is still very present. He taught me basketball, but more importantly, he taught me life.

I barely remember him spending money on me. But what he gave me—his time, his wisdom, his guidance, and his belief—was far more valuable than anything money could have bought.

He laid the blueprint for how I now interact with and mentor younger people in my own life.

 

What do you hope to accomplish while you serve in this capacity?

My goal is to help young people grow on and off the court. Specifically, for Big Apple Basketball, to effectively assist youth in their academic, athletic, and professional lives. This includes broadening social networks for youth, providing academic and athletic support, exposure to opportunities, proximity to pros, scholarships, and other resources. I want to be an example of faith through my actions, not just words.

 

What challenges has your organization faced, and how are you overcoming them?

Our biggest challenges have been financial limitations and a lack of staffing. These challenges have required us to be creative and faith-driven, trusting God while continuing to serve. So [for example], we’re just focusing on doing one activation program for this calendar year, which is servicing college basketball student athletes during the summer from a skill development, training, and mentoring program.

In a perfect world, getting gym space donated would be incredible. As an eight-week program, we’re aiming to target Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx, offering the program two weeks in each borough. So now the donated gym time ask is a little bit easier than going to one place and saying, “Can we get 24 sessions for eight weeks,” where maybe we can go to one college in one borough and say, “Can you give us six sessions for two weeks,” and now that’s kind of the way that that we’re looking at this model.

 

What are you most proud of that the ministry has accomplished?

I’m most proud that the ministry has pivoted from being centered on my own ideas and vision to becoming aligned with God’s vision. That shift has given everything we do greater purpose. I see that most clearly in relationships like the one I have with Jaylen Blakes. In many ways, our story mirrors the one I shared about Gary. I’ve known Jaylen his whole life and have had the chance to mentor him through our shared love of basketball. What makes our relationship special is that it’s rooted in Christ. I’ve been transparent with him about my faith journey and have encouraged him in his walk with Christ. I’m proud of how he’s navigated life as a single man playing basketball, first in college and now as a professional athlete. To see a 22-year-old lead like that is powerful. Just as Gary poured into me, I’m grateful to now pour into someone else.

 

What collaborative opportunities are benefiting this work?

We’ve been blessed by partnerships with like-minded community leaders, schools, churches, coaches, parents, mentors, and local organizations. These collaborations allow us to expand our reach, provide holistic support to youth, share resources, and create safe spaces for growth, accountability, and spiritual development.

 

Can you name one learning principle from your DVULI training that is being applied to your work?

One key principle I apply is prioritizing my personal health, rest, relationship with Christ, and family before ministry. I try to consistently lead from overflow and not burnout. I don’t want to be a public success, but a private failure, so I try to protect my boundaries. I’ve also recently been focused on budget planning, preparing for potential challenges and opportunities before they arise. This has helped me lead with more clarity and stability.

Most urban leaders agree that impact doesn’t come without obstacles. Latisha has faced funding instability, mentor shortages, and issues finding trustworthy partners, which has limited programming scope. However, she refuses to let discouragement get in the way. “My faith helps me,” Latisha says. “You know you won’t fail when it’s something God has given you; He’s going to see it through until it’s done.” She continues to find the grants her organization needs and is expanding the number of services and contracts it provides.

 

How can your DVULI family be praying for you as you move forward?

Please pray that I maintain proper balance as God continues to elevate me, that I stay spiritually grounded, and that I remain sensitive to God’s voice. Also, I have the discernment and courage to say no to relationships and opportunities that are not aligned with His will, even when they don’t make sense to me.

 

Outro:

More than a century ago, in 1891, Dr. James Naismith, director of physical education at the YMCA’s International Training School, created the game of basketball with the purpose of “winning men for the Master through the gym.” In 2026, Jason Curry continues that mighty legacy, using Big Apple Basketball as a platform to mentor, uplift, and guide young people through faith, purpose, and the power of the game.

 

Jason’s story is the second installation of a six-part series highlighting alumni whose modest-sized ministries are making a mighty impact on youth.