Etop Udo-Ema, a nationally recognized leader in grassroots basketball, has built an impressive track record of excellence in sport and community. The Founder/CEO of the premier grassroots basketball program in the country the Compton Magic which core values inspire leadership with a mission to make the world better for the next generation. Recipient of the Honoring Black Excellence Award by Adidas along with other award winners like Jackee Joyner Kersee celebrating Black individuals and Black culture as a whole. Led Compton Magic to the Mythical Grassroots National Championship in 2018 featuring #3 NBA Draft Pick and Rookie of the Year candidate Evan Mobley, #6 NBA Draft Pick Onyeka Okongwu, USC star Isaiah Mobley, UCLA sensation Johnny Juzang and more. Creative innovators and trailblazers in the space Compton Magic has become one of the leaders in service in the Southern California community. The Magic Bubble is a proven effective platform that brilliantly blends Black Lives Matter, Community Engagement, Police Education and Reform Discussion, Scholarship Accessibility, Voter Registration, Current Health and Safety Protocols, Social Media Influencers and Brand Engagement all under one powerful program.

Udo-Ema started his grassroots career in 1988 at Superstar Camp in Santa Barbara where he became the Vice President by 1990 until 1995. Introduced into High School coaching in 1992 at Bishop Amat then next year headed to Compton High School. Started the Compton Magic program to keep his high school kids off the street in the spring and summer due to all the crazy gang activity and poverty in the area. The program soon became successful producing its first NBA players in USC’s Jeff Trepagnier and Fresno State’s Tito Maddox to go along with a plethora of top college student athletes like Ellis Myles (Louisville), David Hamilton (Auburn), Milton Riley (Washington State), Deandre Moore (Vanderbilt) and many more. The first real shoe deal by Adidas came in 2001. In 2008 the Compton Magic appeared in its first National Championship game against Grassroots Canada in Las Vegas and started a Mythical Run that has lasted to current day. Etop has mentored thousands of players and families for college scholarships and been instrumental in placing over 40 players in the NBA.

Compton Magic CULTURE is led by the charge to give back to the communities and institutions that helped us achieve success. Workers for Change and Shapers of Culture with the four pillars Equality, Justice, Peace and Change. A massive menu of community work in the Southern California area headlined by the Adidas Legacy and Create-A-Legacy programs. A platform designed to unite, empower and inspire the next generation of creators to be change makers within their communities. Legacy has been able to touch students from Elementary all the way to high school. Etop and the Magic have been the pioneers of so many community projects including The Love Kitchen at the Salvation Army in Compton, The Exodus Program at Keith Village in Compton, Compton Diaper Drive, Create-A-Legacy Book Drive, Fun Day in Compton and a laundry list of events Giving Back to the community. Just recently with Community partner Shields for Families The CM Wellness Fair was created to provide Free Medical, Dental and other services for students in Need. Pushing parameters to become the leader in community service and definition of excellence in the space.

Born in Ft Wayne, Indiana, Udo-Ema, 52, earned his bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of LaVerne by way of 3 years at UC Irvine. All State High School basketball player at Chaparral HS in Scottsdale, Arizona and spent his freshman and sophomore year at Brien McMahon HS in Norwalk, Connecticut. Etop has also lived in Indianapolis (IN), Lexington (KY) and Dallas (TX). Udo-Ema is married to Araceli Udo-Ema. They have 1 son Isaac and 2 daughters Aliya and Asia.