The Elite Standard

Join our mission to develop the next generation of athletes. Your support helps provide the training, resources, and opportunities for our athletes to reach the next level.

Support a Student

The Elite Standard

Join our mission to develop the next generation of athletes. Your support helps provide the training, resources, and opportunities for our athletes to reach the next level.

Support a Student

A Vision fulled by Purpose

Molding talent through elite training, sharing knowledge, and mentorship

Wenyen Gabriel

SO Elite & ROSS Leaders Ambassador

Wenyen Gabriel

SO Elite & ROSS Leaders Ambassador

Wenyen Gabriel

SO Elite & ROSS Leaders Ambassador

Wenyen Gabriel is an NBA veteran, Olympian, and South Sudanese national team standout whose journey has inspired a new generation of South Sudanese and African athletes around the world. Over the course of his NBA career, Gabriel has competed at the highest level with the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Now competing internationally with FC Bayern Basketball, Gabriel continues to bring elite insight, professionalism, and lived experience to student-athletes in our program. Beyond basketball, Wenyen has been deeply committed to philanthropy, mentorship, and long-term investment in the future of South Sudan through SO Elite and ROSS Leaders. By leveraging his platform, he's helped impact thousands of lives globally.

Majak Wenyin

Founder - SO Elite Director

Majak Wenyin

Founder - SO Elite Director

Majak Wenyin

Founder - SO Elite Director

Majak Wenyin is the Founder of SO Elite Basketball and ROSS Leaders. Born in South Sudan and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, Majak was motivated to help young students earn college scholarships through the game of basketball. Since 2016, SO Elite has helped guide and mentor student-athletes through education, skill development, and collegiate recruitment.

Guided by Majak's leadership and love for supporting young people, SO Elite is one of the most successful basketball programs in the country, with more than 100 student athletes earning full-ride scholarships to college. Today, ROSS Leaders and SO Elite operate as a unified ecosystem, providing students with a holistic support system that integrates academic guidance and elite athletic development.

Jacob Idra

Founder - ROSS Leaders CEO

Jacob Idra

Founder - ROSS Leaders CEO

Jacob Idra

Founder - ROSS Leaders CEO

Jacob Idra is the Founder and Executive Director of Republic of South Sudan (ROSS) Leaders, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the livelihoods of South Sudanese-American immigrant communities across the United States. Jacob and his team founded ROSS Leaders, an organization that focuses on youth development and community enrichment programs in Omaha, Nebraska, and beyond.

ROSS Leaders has grown from a grassroots movement to a nationally recognized organization, impacting the lives of underserved youth and shaping the next generation of leaders across diasporic communities in the U.S. Their work bridges education, sports, cultural preservation, and community engagement to ensure every young person feels seen and supported to reach their full potential.

We develop elite talent and help athletes secure collegiate opportunities. We inspire greatnes and let the results speak for themselves.

100+

Athletic Scholarships

$3M

Scholarship Dollars

90%

Program Retention Rate

90%

Program Retention Rate

Our Extended Family.

The Elite Way: Captured

Together, We Amplify Impact.

Our Story in Pictures

We are deeply grateful for the foundational support from our corporate, community, and educational partners who share our commitment to youth development and community rebuilding.

Capturing excellence, dedication, and community pride across our global So Elite Basketball programs and achievements.

Give Hope Today.

Invest in a Future Leader Today.

Your gift directly supports our four pillars—Education, Wellness, Culture, and Career Exploration ensuring every dollar translates into a tangible opportunity for a South Sudanese American youth.

Give Hope Today.

Invest in a Future Leader Today.

Your gift directly supports our four pillars—Education, Wellness, Culture, and Career Exploration ensuring every dollar translates into a tangible opportunity for a South Sudanese American youth.

Give Hope Today.

Invest in a Future Leader Today.

Your gift directly supports our four pillars—Education, Wellness, Culture, and Career Exploration ensuring every dollar translates into a tangible opportunity for a South Sudanese American youth.

#TheEliteWay

So Elite Basketball Global

SO Elite Basketball is a premier international organization dedicated to elevating South Sudanese youth through the game of basketball. From Juba to New Hampshire, Nebraska, and Australia, we develop well-rounded athletes who lead on and off the court. More than a basketball program, SO Elite is a global movement, shaping the next generation of student-athletes across the world.

So Elite Basketball

SO Elite National is built on the belief that growth comes through competition. Through our national camps, athletes are challenged to go head-to-head in high-level environments that demand grit, resilience, and accountability. Our rigorous training sharpens skills, builds confidence, and prepares athletes to perform when the lights are the brightest.

So Elite Basketball

SO Elite National is built on the belief that growth comes through competition. Through our national camps, athletes are challenged to go head-to-head in high-level environments that demand grit, resilience, and accountability. Our rigorous training sharpens skills, builds confidence, and prepares athletes to perform when the lights are the brightest.

So Elite Basketball

SO Elite National is built on the belief that growth comes through competition. Through our national camps, athletes are challenged to go head-to-head in high-level environments that demand grit, resilience, and accountability. Our rigorous training sharpens skills, builds confidence, and prepares athletes to perform when the lights are the brightest.

SO Elite Women's Basketball

SO Elite Women provides a platform for girls to showcase their talent through the game of basketball while receiving holistic support. Designed with the whole woman in mind, the program creates a space for competition and growth where young women build confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of identity. By combining high-level training with mental health awareness, cultural connection, and positive role models, SO Elite Women helps girls navigate challenges, build resilience, and expand their vision for what’s possible on and off the court.

SO Elite Women's Basketball

SO Elite Women provides a platform for girls to showcase their talent through the game of basketball while receiving holistic support. Designed with the whole woman in mind, the program creates a space for competition and growth where young women build confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of identity. By combining high-level training with mental health awareness, cultural connection, and positive role models, SO Elite Women helps girls navigate challenges, build resilience, and expand their vision for what’s possible on and off the court.

SO Elite Women's Basketball

SO Elite Women provides a platform for girls to showcase their talent through the game of basketball while receiving holistic support. Designed with the whole woman in mind, the program creates a space for competition and growth where young women build confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of identity. By combining high-level training with mental health awareness, cultural connection, and positive role models, SO Elite Women helps girls navigate challenges, build resilience, and expand their vision for what’s possible on and off the court.

SO Elite New Hampshire

SO Elite Basketball New Hampshire is the birthplace of SO Elite, where East Coast grit, high-level competition, and a deep love for the game intersect. Through elite skill development and meaningful relationship-building, SO Elite New Hampshire embodies everything the program stands for and sets the standard for excellence, discipline, and community across the SO Elite network.

SO Elite New Hampshire

SO Elite Basketball New Hampshire is the birthplace of SO Elite, where East Coast grit, high-level competition, and a deep love for the game intersect. Through elite skill development and meaningful relationship-building, SO Elite New Hampshire embodies everything the program stands for and sets the standard for excellence, discipline, and community across the SO Elite network.

SO Elite New Hampshire

SO Elite Basketball New Hampshire is the birthplace of SO Elite, where East Coast grit, high-level competition, and a deep love for the game intersect. Through elite skill development and meaningful relationship-building, SO Elite New Hampshire embodies everything the program stands for and sets the standard for excellence, discipline, and community across the SO Elite network.

So Elite Nebraska

The Nebraska Division of SO Elite Basketball is the heart of South Sudanese basketball in the United States. With dozens of South Sudanese players emerging from Nebraska over the past two decades, SO Elite continues to develop elite-level, high-character talent from the heartland.

So Elite Nebraska

The Nebraska Division of SO Elite Basketball is the heart of South Sudanese basketball in the United States. With dozens of South Sudanese players emerging from Nebraska over the past two decades, SO Elite continues to develop elite-level, high-character talent from the heartland.

So Elite Nebraska

The Nebraska Division of SO Elite Basketball is the heart of South Sudanese basketball in the United States. With dozens of South Sudanese players emerging from Nebraska over the past two decades, SO Elite continues to develop elite-level, high-character talent from the heartland.

So Elite Juba

SO Elite Juba provides transformational programming in the capital of South Sudan, Juba. Our coaches are committed to helping athletes build a solid foundation and gain the tools needed to take their game to the next level. Our work in Juba is about more than developing athletes; it is about empowering youth, strengthening community, and opening pathways for the next generation to dream bigger and compete on the global stage.

So Elite Juba

SO Elite Juba provides transformational programming in the capital of South Sudan, Juba. Our coaches are committed to helping athletes build a solid foundation and gain the tools needed to take their game to the next level. Our work in Juba is about more than developing athletes; it is about empowering youth, strengthening community, and opening pathways for the next generation to dream bigger and compete on the global stage.

So Elite Juba

SO Elite Juba provides transformational programming in the capital of South Sudan, Juba. Our coaches are committed to helping athletes build a solid foundation and gain the tools needed to take their game to the next level. Our work in Juba is about more than developing athletes; it is about empowering youth, strengthening community, and opening pathways for the next generation to dream bigger and compete on the global stage.

So Elite Womens Australia

SO Elite Women’s Australia empowers South Sudanese girls and women to develop their skills through basketball by providing access to high-level training in a supportive and competitive environment. The program builds confidence and creates future opportunities through the game. Through elite training and mentorship, SO Elite Women’s Australia is helping build the next generation of female talent in Australia.

So Elite Womens Australia

SO Elite Women’s Australia empowers South Sudanese girls and women to develop their skills through basketball by providing access to high-level training in a supportive and competitive environment. The program builds confidence and creates future opportunities through the game. Through elite training and mentorship, SO Elite Women’s Australia is helping build the next generation of female talent in Australia.

So Elite Womens Australia

SO Elite Women’s Australia empowers South Sudanese girls and women to develop their skills through basketball by providing access to high-level training in a supportive and competitive environment. The program builds confidence and creates future opportunities through the game. Through elite training and mentorship, SO Elite Women’s Australia is helping build the next generation of female talent in Australia.

SO Elite Juba
SO Elite Juba
Iron Sharpens Iron
Iron Sharpens Iron
Compete with Respect
Compete with Respect
Skill Development
Skill Development

SO Elite Juba

Iron Sharpens Iron

Compete with Respect

Skill Development

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Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates on youth achievements, upcoming community events, partner spotlight features, and opportunities to get involved with ROSS Leaders.

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Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates on youth achievements, upcoming community events, partner spotlight features, and opportunities to get involved with ROSS Leaders.

The Elite Way

Lifelong Friendships

The court is our classroom. This is where life lessons are taught and lifelong friendships are made.

Life Lessons

Life Lessons

Life Lessons

Lifetime Friends

Lifetime Friends

Lifetime Friends