Basketball America - Lake Orion, Michigan

T4R

Here’s what I emailed to Basketball America. I got no response.

Dear Owner of Basketball America,

Saturday February 1, 2025 was almost a crime scene. I arrived around 7:00 PM just to play basketball. As I walk past the concession stand I see a fight breakout. Multiple young men fighting each other. The whole gym watches, some try to break it up. I hadn’t paid yet so I didn’t immediately try to break things up. I waited near that booth where you pay. Then the fighting continued. I eventually just jumped in to try and break things up.

Eventually those who were fighting left the building before the police arrived.

I’m going to keep this brief. Basketball America needs to change. There shouldn’t be three staff members when there’s perhaps 150 people in the building. I later learned that those who started the fight didn’t pay but walked right in. That’s a major security issue that can easily be exploited because the establishment is understaffed. You have two young people running concessions and one person managing everything else. That’s a disaster. There were multiple gun/shooting threats made. A father couldn’t find his keys. A young man reported his watch was stolen.

This place is a disaster.

It needs more staff or security personnel. There needs to be more accountability for those who threaten to shoot people or those who bring a gun. It was also reported that a gun was in the building. There needs to be renovations all throughout. Almost every inch of this place should be renovated. If the place looks run down and trampled why would kids behave?

Ultimately you’re losing business through negligence. Serious injuries happened last night during the fighting. A young man hit his head hard on the bleachers.

I ask your staff and they say this happens all the time. This is shameful.

OSHA will not want to hear about this but I’m seriously concerned. There’s only so much the police can do. Things need to change.

Brett Z.

Horrible Experience – Wouldn’t Recommend

If I could give Basketball America zero stars, I would. The facility is in terrible condition—the place smells awful, the bathrooms are disgusting and clearly not maintained, and the entire venue looks like it hasn’t been updated since it first opened. It’s clear that management doesn’t care about the players or the experience.

The refereeing is just as bad—consistently terrible calls that ruin the game, with refs who seem completely unqualified. But the worst part? The blatant mismanagement of the playoffs. After clinching the #1 seed, we were told we’d play a certain team, only for the league to change our opponent last minute to a much tougher team, which was completely unfair and unprofessional. It’s hard to believe a league can be run this poorly.

If you’re looking for a well-organized, competitive, and fair basketball league, I’d strongly recommend going somewhere else. Basketball America is a joke.

Donovan A.

Do not play basketball here. The place smells, they had actual dog poop and little dogs running around on the floors, the people who run the place let anything happen. I wouldn’t bring my children here, heck I wouldn’t even tell my worst enemy about this place.

David G.

It was absolutely amazing, and I can't wait to get back there

Briar H.

It's not bad games are ok and staff are nice

Nicole P.

I can't say enough GREAT things about this place.
We feel very much cozy & "at home" here.
VERY kind/caring management & all staff members, as well as all the people that come to play/practice regularly. Great place to make friends & acquaintances...
My daughter & neice play volleyball here, & my son & nephew play basketball here. Going into our 4th consecutive league.
They love it here & want to come to practice as often as possible, every free moment we get. It's great that they're open late.
I had reluctantly made a personal, special request, not wanting to seem like the "needy" or "complainer" customer, fearing it may not seem as important to others as it was for me.
They were very understanding & kindly assisted in my request, in which I'm always grateful for🙏

Anything we've brought to the attention of management was taken seriously & immediately addressed/handled.
No, the refs aren't perfect, of course some are more knowledgeable than others. But remember, nobody is perfect & they are doing a kindness. If not for them, there wouldn't be any game at all. They have all been kind, respectful & receptive to rules they weren't certain of.

There's a wide variety of good food/beverages & snacks without breaking the bank.

We had a birthday party here. Also great! Everyone had a blast. Very accommodating & didn't raise an eyebrow at the huge confetti mess covering the entire floor. I offered to sweep it up but they insisted not to worry about it.
I see more parties here in the near future.
THANK U BA❣️😁🏆

Tony F.

We love it here! Our boys want to come here as often as possible, and they look forward to league night as well as their lessons with Jake (who is incredible). The staff are all caring and kind. It’s a wonderful place to have your kids spend the majority of their time outside of school.

Alesha F.

We love this place! Our boys had zero basketball experience before coming to Basketball America. We took lessons with Jake (the kindest, most knowledgeable teacher). We also signed up for the 3 on 3 leagues. Our kids want to go everyday! Staff is really great too.