Hoop. Connect. Belong: A Women-Led Movement Inspired by Unrivaled and Rooted in Cincinnati

After working behind the scenes in Unrivaled League, Courtney Tucker returned to her hometown to build Clubhouse Buckets, a community-first space where women find joy, connection, and a reason to lace up again.

Written by Taylor Shyenne

The gym buzzes with basketballs bouncing, sneakers squeaking, and laughter flowing through every corner. But beyond the sounds and movement, there’s an energy that’s something else entirely: a powerful force of connection and belonging. Clubhouse Buckets isn’t about flexing or proving yourself. It’s a place where women come to hoop, vibe and connect. A safe space where everyone belongs and every story matters.

The Woman Behind the Movement

Left: Courtney Tucker poses against a yellow backdrop. Right: Courtney Tucker walks the Sephora Tunnel at Unrivaled League in Miami, FL.

Courtney Tucker is the driving force behind Clubhouse Buckets. A Cincinnati native, she grew up playing competitive basketball, from high school to Wilmington College, where she majored in sport management with a focus on wellness.

After working as a personal trainer and health director, Courtney took a bold leap four and a half years ago deciding to quit her job with no backup plan to pursue entrepreneurship full-time.

Courtney’s number one supporter? Her mother. 

“Shout out to Mama Tuck! Sometimes she doesn’t see the full vision,” Courtney said, “but she’s been by my side through it all. She always shows up for the events I do around the city.”

All of that drive and support fuels the heart of Clubhouse Buckets. Her passion for unity and love of the game runs deep. She’s not just creating pickup games; she’s building a community where good vibes and real relationships are the true MVPs.

The Vision

After spending three months working for Unrivaled, a first-of-its-kind women’s pro league in Miami, Courtney came back home with a familiar ache: she missed hooping. It wasn’t just the game she missed, it was the space it created. The freedom. The joy. The sisterhood.

“I just missed going to the gym, shooting around, or playing with a few people,” she shared. “And I knew I couldn’t be the only one.”

A friend suggested she organize pickup games, and after finding inspiration from similar women’s basketball scenes thriving in New York, Courtney decided to bring that energy to Cincinnati. She knew the players were still here, so it was time to create a space for them again. After brainstorming with Canva and ChatGPT, Clubhouse Buckets was born.

The first run had eight women, including Courtney herself. No fanfare. No sponsors. Just vibes and a deep desire to build something meaningful.

Vibes, Culture and Community

Walk into a Clubhouse Buckets run and you’ll feel it immediately: it’s not just a pickup game. It’s a whole energy. You’ll find women of all skill levels and backgrounds. Laughter between plays. And encouragement shouted from the sidelines.

Photos by TS Sports Creative

“I’m really big on aura,” Courtney said. “I know what I bring and I trust that I’ll attract the right people. This space, it’s built on good energy. You don’t even have to play. You can pull up just to watch. You’ll still feel like you fit in.”

Even new faces walk away feeling like part of something. As a photographer attending her first run, I (Taylor) was nervous, but I left feeling seen. Invited. Welcomed. And that’s exactly what Courtney is creating: an ecosystem of belonging.

Beyond the Court

The magic of Clubhouse Buckets doesn’t end when the final buzzer sounds. After every run, there’s a post-game hangout that is not just to refuel, but to connect.

“The post-run hangout piece is really important because that’s where the community happens,” Courtney said. “We’ve just played basketball, we’re exhausted, and now after that, it’s easy to have a conversation with someone you just hooped with. ‘What do you do? Where are you from? What are you up to this weekend?’ That’s where real connections start.”

Courtney intentionally chooses hangout spots close to the gym to make them as accessible as possible. But the decision goes deeper than convenience, it’s about impact.

“I always try to choose a locally owned or Black-owned spot,” she said. “Because at the core of what I do is supporting local and especially Black businesses because as a Black woman, that’s really important to me.”

So far, the club has gathered at places like blaCk Coffee Lounge in downtown Cincinnati and The Cure Smoothie & Juice Bar in the Hamilton area, both businesses rooted in culture and connection.

The Unrivaled Influence

Unrivaled wasn’t just a job; it was a wake-up call. “Being down there showed me I really can do this,” Courtney said. “That I’m on the right path. That I’m capable.”

Working behind the scenes in a league built by women, for women, lit a fire. It solidified, even more, her belief in the importance of putting yourself out there, of building real connections, and of never waiting for permission. She brought that spirit back to Cincinnati and channeled it into Clubhouse Buckets.

Impact and Growth

Clubhouse Buckets is still in its early days, but the growth is undeniable. From eight players to fourteen. From no sponsors to water deals and more on the horizon. The dream? More runs. More cities. An eventual youth component. Maybe even pop-ups runs, such as WNBA All-Star Weekend.

And long-term? 

“I want it to be able to run without me,” Courtney said. “Other cities, other leaders, all operating with the same core values.” 

Courtney doesn’t just want the group to play the game; she wants them to walk away with something more.

“I want to hear that people became friends because of Clubhouse Buckets,” she said. “That they hung out on Sunday because they met here on a Saturday. That someone got an opportunity through a bond they made on the court. That’s the dream.”

As Clubhouse Buckets continues to grow, the mission stays rooted in authentic community, one run at a time.

Why Cincinnati?

Ask Courtney about her city and she’ll light up. “I love Cincinnati down,” she laughs. “It’s in my blood. It’s tattooed on me. And it’s so slept on.”

She knows her city has been through it and she’s watched it evolve. Now she wants to be part of that transformation. “A lot of people say Cincinnati doesn’t have anything. But I’m like… you’re just not looking. I want to create those spaces so there’s no excuse. Clubhouse Buckets is that space.”

Clubhouse Buckets is that space. A space where women who might’ve never crossed paths get to connect through basketball and leave with something even bigger.

The Message

For the women scared to show up alone, Courtney has this to say: “Just come. Even if you don’t hoop. Even if you’re nervous. Come sit, watch, hang. You belong here.”

And for the dreamers wanting to start something of their own?

“Stop waiting,” she said. “Just do it. People crave community. People want safe spaces. Don’t worry if someone’s already doing it, nobody can do it like you.”

From zero plans to a movement in motion, Clubhouse Buckets is proof of what happens when someone dares to create the space they’ve always needed and then lets others fill it with their stories.

What’s Next?

The next Clubhouse Buckets run is happening on July 26, 2025, from 10 AM to 12 PM at North College Hill High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Want in? Head to @clubhousebuckets on Instagram and fill out the sign-up form linked in the bio, spots fill quickly.

And to keep up with Courtney Tucker’s work, energy, and the way she consistently shines a light on the community, culture, and events in the city she loves, follow her at @tuckyy__