Casey Louie’s Impact as UPBasketball’s Youth Charitable Foundation Operations Intern

3.5 Minute read

By: Andrea Aruino

This summer, Casey Louie stepped into a new role with UPBasketball as an Operations Intern for its Youth Charitable Foundation while continuing her work as a Player Development Assistant. After training at UPB since 2021, Louie now returns to the gym in a different capacity, helping create opportunities for young players while learning the behind-the-scenes operations that make each program possible.

Basketball has been a part of Louie’s life since she was just six years old. Now entering her junior year at Crystal Springs Uplands School, the point guard has grown into both a leader on and off the court. She became the first freshman team captain in the school’s varsity history and has continued serving as a captain while balancing academics, basketball, and her growing passion for coaching.

As a freshman team captain, she averaged 11.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 2.1 APG. Upon completing her sophomore year at Crystal Springs, she finished the season with 7.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 1.9 APG. Along the way, Louie competed in the Asian League with the SF Associates, spent time with the SF Rebels, and recently returned to AAU basketball with the Bulldogs Basketball Club, where she will compete in tournaments throughout the summer.

As she spent more time at UPBasketball, Louie's role naturally evolved. After helping coach the non-profit organization's all-girls 3v3 league and later assisting with a five-week beginner girls program, she gained valuable experience working with younger athletes. Her involvement with the UPB Youth Charitable Foundation (UPBYCF) eventually led to an opportunity to step into the organization's first Operations Intern role.

The UPBYCF, founded by Bianca and Packie Turner in 2020, is dedicated to creating opportunities for young girls and underserved youth through basketball. Building on years of hosting clinics in California, the foundation provides a supportive environment where children can develop their basketball skills while learning valuable life lessons. By combining athletic training with mental skills development, the foundation empowers participants to build confidence, embrace leadership, and reach their full potential both on and off the court.

One of Louie’s first major projects was organizing an all-girls clinic centered around the theme, Lead Your Way. From creating a minute-by-minute practice plan to coordinating with coaches and leading athletes through drills, Louie helped oversee every aspect of the event while making sure each player left feeling empowered.

“Growing up as a girl playing basketball, I feel like I was always super intimidated by others or older people. The Lead Your Way clinic was kind of to let the girls know that leaders aren't always the oldest player or the boys or the best player, but really just those who bring positive energy, communicate, and are hard workers,” Louie said.

Although planning her first clinic was nerve-racking, Louie credits the collaborative environment at UPBasketball for helping her succeed. After developing an initial practice plan, she worked alongside UPBasketball’s Director of Operations, Madisen Carter, and Coach Veronica Barrot to fine-tune every detail, ensuring the clinic balanced engagement, and fun.

“Making sure the players are really engaged and making sure the drills are skill specific is very important because UPB has a wide range of athletes with different skills. A Pre-K athlete won't be doing the same drills as a high school athlete, so finding that balance helps them really enjoy the game,” Louie said.

Beyond developing basketball skills, Louie hopes to continue creating opportunities that inspire young girls to become confident leaders both on and off the court. Her passion for women's sports extends outside the gym as well, where she serves as the managing editor of a women in sports magazine called TrailblazeHERS that highlights stories of female athletes and promotes greater representation in sports.

As she prepares for her junior season at Crystal Springs Uplands School, Louie hopes to continue growing as both a point guard and leader while expanding her experience on the business side of basketball through her internship. Whether she's organizing clinics, coaching young athletes, or leading her own team on the court, Louie continues to embody the same message she hopes to pass along to the next generation that leadership isn't defined by age or ability, but by the impact you have on those around you.