BEL-AIR ATHLETICS:

Words: Charlotte Core. Video & photography: Lola & Pani

What do UK basketball club the London Lions and California-based label Bel-Air Athletics have in common? Well, it’s not blue skies and palm trees (rather unlikely in east London, unfortunately), but something far more pertinent: the power of community.

“It’s a family,” says London Lion’s point guard Justin Robinson Jones, on the club’s ethos. “We’ve tried to create that family environment and make everyone feel welcome.” From providing youth training and coaching through partnerships with local colleges and universities, to setting up community support programmes, like their current ‘Getting back to your team’ initiative (where they’re connecting with young people through a series of fitness and mental health-focussed mentoring sessions) – the London Lions continue to find new ways to inspire and uplift the next generation, both on and off the court.

The support and mentorship of young people is at the top of Bel-Air Athletics’ agenda, too. The label has set up the Bel-Air Academy Fund, offering opportunities and resources to underprivileged young adults ­– not unlike founder Will Smith’s character from The Fresh Prince – lending a helping hand with a community that champions personal growth. “Bel-Air Athletics was created out of love for the idea of the come-up,” Will Smith told us, “for anybody and everybody that could relate to stepping into new environments, new challenges, new spaces and making them your own.” (Read on for our exclusive interview with Will, below.)

Here, we speak to members of the London Lions basketball club to learn more about their stories of self-betterment, the life-changing mentorship they received growing up, and how a resilient mindset got them where they are today.  

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MEET THE TEAM

TAMARA FOURNILLIER-ONADEKO

SMALL FORWARD

How did you get into basketball?

My whole family all play basketball. I was dancing one day, and there was a basketball court outside my dance studio, and my brothers and my mum were playing and teaching each other how to play. I was like: “Mum, I want to join in!” I had my little ballet shoes on and everything! So she started training me. Gradually I just got better and better, and it’s taken me on a journey through Basketball England and GB Basketball.

What’s been the most important lesson you’ve learned from a coach or mentor? 

You have to be resilient. In general, but especially on the basketball court. In practice – say for example if something isn’t going your way and you’re having a hard time – you need to be able to not give up so you can improve.

Watch: Tamara on finding the resilience to keep going

What’s been your proudest moment as a basketballer?

Playing and winning in the final four championships in 2019. Then I earned myself the MVP. The previous year, the whole season had been quite mentally challenging because I was overcoming a setback in basketball where my confidence had been knocked. So to finally push through mentally, push through any kind of weakness or failure just to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel – that was the biggest and best moment for me.

Were you a fan of The Fresh Prince growing up?

Definitely! Growing up, me and my brothers would get home from school and the first thing we’d put on was The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – of course, we learnt the intro. We thought we were gangsters, knowing the whole song!

JORDAN SPENCER

POINT GUARD

What’s the London Lions philosophy? 

Togetherness, I think. After practice, everyone has to dap each other up. I think we’re just really tight-knit.

What opportunities can the London Lions give to young people?

There are amazing opportunities. You can play basketball throughout education, earn scholarships in America, and also just get the opportunity to play professionally. Even if you want to play at a community level, there are opportunities to progress in it.

Watch: Jordan on the strength of growing up with a tight-knit team

Tell us about the London Lions community – what does it mean to you?

I’ve played for this team since I was 11 years old for the juniors and it’s like a family. I played elsewhere and it didn’t feel the same. I’m just glad I’m home.

What advice would you give to young people to reconnect with their community and stay positive?

Just through communication. It sounds simple, but I think everyone’s going through tough times right now. It affects people differently, but if you’re open with your friends and family and communicating, I think that’s the best thing you can do during these tough times.

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JUSTIN JONES ROBINSON

POINT GUARD

How did you get into basketball?

I got into basketball when I was eight years old. My older brother bought me a Michael Jordan poster for Christmas. Then I started buying all the tapes, and since then I became hooked. I was kind of known in the area as “Justin-with-the-basketball”. I joined my local team, the Brixton Topcats, and the rest is history.

What’s been the most important lesson you’ve learned from a coach or mentor? 

My coach, Jimmy Rogers, he passed away about two years ago, but growing up he’d say to me – “Try not to get too high, or too low.” When things are going well, don’t get on your high horse, and if things are going bad, you can’t go into yourself and go into your shell. I just like to live my life with a level head, really.

Watch: Justin on not letting your ego stand in your way

What piece of advice would you give to someone getting into the sport?

I would say don’t be scared, just jump straight in. Embrace everyone, embrace everything. For me growing up, that was a big thing, you know, having that team as a second family unit. It’s really important for kids to embrace their teammates and their coaches.

Tell us about the London Lions community – what does it mean to you?

Community is everything to me. I’ve grown up in Brixton all my life, and it’s all about the kids here. The London Lions do a lot of stuff with younger kids in east London. We coach, we mentor, and we’re just there, you know. I think our presence is probably the most important thing, just to be there to speak with them. They want to ask questions about your life, experiences… there are so many things that they want to know. I think growing up in Brixton, coming from humble beginnings, it’s very important to me to give back and to mentor those young kids.