With the upcoming start of the Olympic games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Draper will be going for gold along with our men’s basketball team. As coach Mike Krzyzewski’s Olympic team that includes the likes of Keven Durant, Paul George, Deandre Jordan, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and many other top NBA stars suits up to take on the rest of the world, it does so after holding its training camp at UNLV’s Mendenhall Practice Center. Team USA dialed in their three point shots, honed their rebounding skills, and practiced their slam dunks in the practice home of the Runnin’ Rebels, which features Draper EZ-Fold backstops.

Mendenhall Center, University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Dealer: Hufcor Desert West, Mesa, Arizona. Photographer: Matt Oberer of mattophoto, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Draper was proud to have participated in the construction of the state-of-the-art practice facility prior to the start of the 2011 and 2012 season, and we have enjoyed following the recent success of the UNLV basketball team. Draper provided 12 TF-20 Front Braced Forward Folding Ceiling Suspended backstops. The backstops were custom powder coated in a light gray color to closely match the roof structure, which allows the support structure to virtually disappear. Each backstop includes Draper electric winches and safety straps, and four of the backstop feature our shot clock brackets. All Draper products are designed and manufactured to stand up to the highest levels of play from the world’s top athletes, like those who will be defending the USA’s Olympic basketball title.

Draper may not be suiting up or lacing up our high tops, but we will definitely take pride in knowing that we helped prepare Team USA to answer the challenges from the rest of the world. We will revel in each triumph as they advance in the tournament and may even get a little teary-eyed when the Star Spangled Banner is played at the medal ceremony. Go Team USA! Remember—Team Draper is standing behind you every step of the way!

By the way, for more information on choosing the right backstops and other equipment for your gym, check out our white paper on the subject here!