We recently had the chance to connect with Miguel – Angel Ortiz and have shared our conversation below.
Miguel – Angel , we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
I think one of the biggest misunderstandings about Hoops413 is that people sometimes look at us as just another basketball program. Because we’re outside and faith-based, some assume we’re not as serious or professional. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
We use the game as a platform to teach not just skills, but character, confidence, and purpose. Being outdoors actually brings the community together—it creates an open, welcoming space where kids of all backgrounds can learn and grow. And being faith-based doesn’t mean we’re less competitive; it means everything we do is rooted in something bigger than the scoreboard.
This isn’t just basketball for us. It’s ministry, it’s family, it’s planting seeds in these kids’ lives that go far beyond the court.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Miguel Ortiz, and I’m the founder of Hoops413. We’re a faith-based youth basketball organization in Southern California that works with kids as young as two all the way up through their early teens. What makes us unique is that we’re not just teaching the game—we’re building confidence, planting seeds of purpose, and creating a family atmosphere where every kid feels seen and valued.
Hoops413 started eight years ago with just a vision and some outdoor courts, and since then, it’s grown into a community that’s touched hundreds of families. Along the way, it’s also given me something priceless—my better half, Kaitlin, who now coaches alongside me, and our two amazing boys. So this isn’t just a brand or a program; it’s our life.
Right now, we’re continuing to expand what we do with our Shoot for the Stars 3v3 league, our seasonal camps, and new projects like ‘Mindset & Moments,’ which is a platform where athletes can share their stories beyond the game. Everything we do is about more than basketball—it’s about faith, family, and building something that lasts.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was just a kid who loved the game of basketball and dreamed big without limits. I was pure in passion, unshaken by doubt, and fueled by curiosity. I didn’t care about titles, expectations, or comparisons—I just wanted to play, create, and love people well.
Over time, the world tries to box you in, telling you what success should look like or what lane you belong in. But deep down, I’ve always been that same kid with a ball in his hands, faith in his heart, and a desire to use what I’ve been given to make an impact. Hoops413 has really allowed me to come full circle—to step back into who I was created me to be, not who the world said I had to be.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: you don’t have to rush to prove yourself. The path you’re on, with all the ups and downs, is shaping you into exactly who you’re supposed to be. Be patient with yourself, trust your grind, and know that the things that feel heavy now will one day become your strength. Keep going—you’re more than enough.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yeah, the public version of me is the real me. I am who I am all the time. What you see on the court, in the community, or even online—it’s no different than who I am at home with my family. I don’t put on a mask or try to be someone else depending on the setting. I try to stay authentic, consistent, and true to myself no matter where I’m at.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m doing what I was born to do. Teaching and coaching have always been in my heart—it’s who I’ve been since I was young. Whether it was helping kids in the classroom or guiding players on the court, that’s always felt natural to me. Nobody had to tell me this was my path. It’s something that’s been inside me from the start, and now I get to live it out every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Hoops413.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoops413/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hoops413/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hoops413-redondo-beach-6
