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Benny Estrada

@lavillitabasketball

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Our mission is to teach, develop, organize and offer players the opportunity to complete and develop relationships that go beyond the 94ft.

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“Don’t ask me that sh-t cause I can’t think about it right now. We have to play a game”

That’s what D’Anthony told me before the championship game. I had just helped him walk off the court and he had to watch the last 5 min of the semifinal from the sideline. That has nothing to do with coaching. Time and time again this group of young men find a way to give more to this game.

My Son (Matt) didn’t get to finish the championship game on the floor and he was at the gym today in recovery shoes form shooting. They find a way.

“THE V OVER ME!!!!!” Every practice. Every city. Every game. Call it what you want. I’m just proud of this team. They overcame a lot to beat Chicago Go Gettaz who were going for a 3-Peat this weekend.

Congratulations are in order for El Centro, Mr. Quintero, Emilio and family as the tournament enters in sixth decade. Chicago is the only city sending out 4 teams time and time again to compete around the country and that’s what makes this tournament special. It’s a true battleground. 3 weeks ago KCV lost to @lavillitabasketball in Chicago in the championship game and in 26 years only twice has Valiente been in a tournament and I haven’t been on the sideline. For that I apologize to my guys and to Benny. I heard that tournament was full of talent as well and congratulations to La Villita on winning that title right there at home in YOUR home. Those are special.

2026 is far from over. The team will take some time to recover and see what’s ahead. I hear there’s a lot good basketball out EAST..

#2026ElCentroChamps
#Peezy4MVP
#NYCLoading
#WhoIsMatt

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It was a great first week of fall in the 12th District. My team and I were hard at work attending meetings and events while enjoying the cooler temperatures across the city.

We kicked off last weekend by attending the La Villita 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month Basketball Tournament, which returned this year after a three-year hiatus. This tournament is essential for bringing communities together to celebrate our culture and progress with great music, people and, of course, a little friendly competition. Congratulations to all the teams who participated in this year’s tournament, but special shout out to the West Michigan Raiders for taking the veterans championship and the La Villita home team for remaining undefeated throughout the tournament to take the men’s open championship.

One of the highlights of the week was participating in the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation’s 2026 Raíces Public Policy Conference. This was a free, daylong event hosted at the University of Illinois-Chicago Forum to convene lawmakers, stakeholders and community members to discuss important topics essential to equity, justice and community development. Unlike typical conferences, Raíces highlights voices from across Illinois, acting as a driver of meaningful conversation centered around Latino communities. I was proud to host three panels during the conference: one highlighting how Raíces is meeting the moment, and two focused on community power and collective action. Thank you to the ILLCF and everyone who helped make this year’s conference a success.

This week I also joined Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs and his phenomenal team at their annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in Chicago, where I was honored to receive an Outstanding Commitment as an Elected Official award. From Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 to now, so much has changed for Hispanic and Latino communities across the United States. Last fall, we watched as masked federal agents spent over two months in Chicago, ripping families apart, terrorizing our neighborhoods and committing injustice after injustice against law-abiding residents under the guise of targeting “the worst of the worst.” Al

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We remain deeply committed to our mission: connecting young people and their families with Christ and community, and creating the Beloved Community together.

Yesterday, more than 35 young people from different neighborhoods came together for an evening of basketball organized by our Resilience Services and Street Outreach teams.

This is part of how we live out that mission: making space for young people to play, meet someone new, and feel welcome. 🏀
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Seguimos firmes en nuestra misión de conectar a los jóvenes y sus familias con Cristo y con la comunidad, hasta lograr juntos una Comunidad Amada.

Ayer, más de 35 jóvenes de distintos vecindarios compartieron una tarde de baloncesto organizada por nuestros equipos de Servicios de Resiliencia y Alcance Comunitario.

Actividades como estas, forman parte de cómo vivimos esa misión: creando espacios para que los jóvenes jueguen, conozcan gente nueva y se sientan bienvenidos. 🏀

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Working with my guy Benny on something special for the Black and Brown community.

It’s amazing what WE can accomplish once WE realize we’re fighting the same fight.

Breaking barriers. Building bridges. Creating opportunities. And pushing back against the systems that have been created to divide US.

When we come together, we’re stronger.

Black and Brown unity. Community over division. Progress through partnership.

#fypage #community #unity

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Wednesdays final 4 , almost coming to an end , who do you got winning this ????
#LaVillitaBasketball

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Don't forget to stop by @stylesp25 on Tuesday August 18th, from 1pm to 4pm to receive your back to school supplies. The team and I will be distributing bookings with school supplies. Hope to see you all there!! #backtoschool #littlevillage 🏫 📚🎓🚌✏️

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The Elite Division regular season is officially over and Playoffs is here! 1 seed gets a bye and 8 seed is bounced out. Pull up tonight to see who will make it to our Final 4 next week 👀 Congratulations to BankwUs for going undefeated throughout the season 🔥

For our Youth Division, the Final 4 is set! Loyola pulled off a tough win against UIC and Bradley punched their Final 4 ticket from a buzzer beater!! Final 4 kicks off this Thursday.

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SUMMERTIME CHI☀️🌇

🩳As a result of the heat waves the Chicagoland area has been experiencing this summer we collaborated with @lavillitabasketball to create these shorts in honor of this year’s @midwesttradeshow

✅Available Free exclusively at the Midwest Tradeshow Chicago

Limited quantities. First come, first served.🔥

📍Booth 300

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🏀 Summer is here, and our basketball season is officially underway.

This week, the courts came alive as young people showed up ready to compete, connect, and give it their all. These games are about more than the score. They create opportunities for youth to build friendships, stay active, and spend time in a safe, positive environment with mentors who care.

The season is just getting started. June and July will bring great matchups, unforgettable moments, and plenty of community pride. Let the games begin. 🔥🏀

#bascketball #chicagosummer #summer #chicagoyouthsports #youths #chicago #chicagoans #littlevillage
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🏀 Ha llegado el verano y nuestra temporada de baloncesto ya está en marcha.

Esta semana, las canchas cobraron vida con jóvenes listos para competir, conectar y dar lo mejor de sí. Más que juegos, estos espacios ayudan a crear amistades, a mantener a los jóvenes activos y fortalecer una comunidad positiva junto a los mentores que los acompañan.

La temporada apenas comienza. Junio y julio traerán grandes juegos, momentos inolvidables y mucho orgullo hacia por la comunidad. ¡Muchos éxitos, chicos! 🔥🏀

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We stopped looking for monsters under our bed once we realized they were inside us
#LLDJ
#Forever3

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