Story By: Darryl Jacobs
Photo: Courtesy of Detroit Pistons
ESPN & CBS Sports Networks Commentator
This summer in Detroit, basketball became more than a game—it became a bridge. The 2025 PeacePlayers Friendship Games brought young people together where sports can unite communities in a meaningful way. With the Detroit Pistons behind the effort, this weeklong initiative made an impact that will last far beyond the hardwood.
PeacePlayers is an international nonprofit built on a simple idea: if kids can play together, they can learn to live and lead together. For more than two decades, it has used basketball to break down social and cultural barriers in communities around the world—from Northern Ireland to the Middle East to South Africa. The Friendship Games bring youth from these regions together to share stories, play the game they love, and build skills to become leaders in their own communities.
This year, for the first time, the United States hosted the event, and the Motor City was chosen for its resilience, diversity, and community. More than 100 youth leaders traveled to the city, representing PeacePlayers sites from across the globe. And behind the scenes, one figure helped make it all possible: Arn Tellem, Vice Chairman of the Detroit Pistons and a PeacePlayers Global Board member. Tellem worked closely with the organization in the past, the Pistons, local schools, and community partners to ensure the Games ran smoothly and meaningfully. His leadership and vision helped bring international youth, local students, and professional athletes together in a way that was not just inspiring but also transformative, showing the world the power of sports in breaking down barriers and fostering unity.
More Than Basketball
The Games were designed to be a space where cultural exchange and leadership development went hand in hand with sport. Participants engaged in workshops, shared meals, and collaborated on projects, discovering both the similarities and differences that make each culture unique. Youths for Detroit also joined in, learning from visiting peers and gaining new perspectives on their city.
A Community Effort
The Pistons’ role was more than just a host. Their community engagement team worked alongside PeacePlayers to ensure the experience was meaningful and accessible. The presence of players like Holland and Caris LeVert, who participated in the opening ceremony, reinforced that message, showing youth that their goals, dreams, and voices matter.
Impact That Lasts
For the young leaders who attended the Friendship Games, the week planted seeds of leadership, empathy, and global awareness. For Detroit, it was a chance to shine as a city that can host and inspire the next generation of leaders. And for the Pistons and Arn Tellem, it was an example of how professional sports organizations can create impact far beyond the court. The lasting impact of this event reassures us of the positive change that can be brought about through such initiatives, leaving us more optimistic about the future.
The 2025 PeacePlayers Friendship Games were a reminder that basketball has the power to connect, inspire, and teach. When young people play together, share experiences, and learn from each other, walls fall—and bridges rise.
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