Previewing a Program: Dark Horse Hoops, From Underdogs to Contenders

In the fiercely competitive Texas grassroots basketball scene, Dark Horse Hoops has emerged as more than just an independent program—it’s a movement built on grit, family, and an unwavering belief in its players. What started as a small YMCA and Parks and Recreation league team in North Austin and Pflugerville has transformed into a powerhouse program that develops athletes both on and off the court. At the helm of this transformation are Ryan and Alyssa Wells, the husband-and-wife duo whose leadership, passion, and dedication have turned Dark Horse Hoops from an overlooked contender into a legitimate threat.

The Origins of an Empire

Ryan Wells, Dark Horse Hoops’ head coach and founder, traces the program’s roots back to 2009 when he and longtime coaching partner Eric Jones volunteered to lead a youth basketball team after the assigned coach failed to show. “We called ourselves the Wolverines—I’m a big Michigan fan,” Ryan recalls. That grassroots start, however, quickly evolved into something much greater. By 2013, his teams were winning city and state championships, and it became clear they needed a bigger stage.

“The way I like to think of AAU basketball is, basketball under pressure. Who can handle the most pressure?” Ryan explains. “So we went down to San Antonio in 2014 for our first real tournament, and we didn’t know what we were getting into. But we went in, we played, we competed. And the next thing we knew, we had built something special.”

By 2017, the program officially rebranded as Dark Horse Hoops. “Every year in the NCAA Tournament, you see a team come out of nowhere and make a run—those are the ‘dark horses.’ We weren’t going to name ourselves ‘Cinderella,’ but ‘Dark Horse’ fit us perfectly,” Ryan says. “We’re the team that nobody sees coming, but when we arrive, we compete. And now? We’ve built this empire, and we’re standing on it.”

A Program Built on Family and Community

While Ryan handles the X’s and O’s, the Jimmys and the Joes, Alyssa Wells ensures the program runs smoothly. “I do the dotting of the i’s, the crossing of the t’s, the red tape, the registration. Ryan does the coaching, the game plans, the strategy,” Alyssa explains. “It’s a true ‘mom and pop’ program.”

What sets Dark Horse Hoops apart isn’t just their success on the court—it’s their emphasis on community and family. “We have to be a family—we have to be a community,” Alyssa says. “We don’t believe in individual ball; it’s all about team ball.”

The program’s commitment extends beyond basketball. Their annual holiday toy drive has provided countless gifts to underprivileged children, and their food drives help families in need. Even their practices reflect their family-first culture. “We have a parents vs. players game every year,” Ryan shares. “It gives the parents a chance to see just how hard their kids work, and it gives the kids a chance to show off. It’s one of our favorite traditions.”

Achievements on the Court

Dark Horse Hoops has not only built a strong culture but has also achieved remarkable success in competition. Over the years, the program has consistently performed at a high level, earning first and second-place finishes at major grassroots tournaments. “Not last year, but the year before, we went to four GASO’s and took first, first, second, second,” Ryan shares, referring to the Great American Shootout, one of Texas' premier grassroots events.

Beyond team achievements, the program has also played a critical role in shaping individual success stories. Several players who started with Dark Horse Hoops have earned scholarships to play basketball and football at the collegiate level. “It’s a great feeling as a coach to see these kids move on to the next level,” Ryan says. “Some of them came back during tryouts for the 2024 season and spoke to our current players about what it takes to succeed.”

One former player even made it professionally as a boxer, carrying the lessons learned from Dark Horse Hoops into a different sport. “He came back and told our kids that you have to have the mind of a goldfish—always moving forward,” Ryan recalls. “That’s what we teach here. You get what you put in, and our kids put in the work.”

From left to right: Coach Eric Jones, EJ Jones, Cade Kittrell, Brayden Gates, Tate, Coach Ryan Wells

Competing with a Chip on Their Shoulder

Despite its rapid rise, Dark Horse Hoops has retained its underdog mentality. “There are two types of programs out there—teams that want to play us because they respect the competition, and teams that dodge us because they don’t want that work,” Ryan says. “We embrace that. We’ve earned our place, and we wear that bullseye proudly.”

Their training philosophy reflects that mindset. “Legs feed the wolf,” Ryan says, referencing the team’s motto. “If you don’t put in the work, you don’t eat. Our practices are harder than the games. We put these kids through intense training, and we hold them accountable.”

Accountability, respect, and discipline are key tenets of Dark Horse Hoops’ culture. “You have to learn how to lose before you appreciate winning,” Ryan says. “Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. What matters is how you respond.”

The Future of Dark Horse Hoops

With their success, Ryan and Alyssa remain focused on keeping Dark Horse Hoops rooted in its core values. Ryan emphasizes the importance of adaptability. “The game is always changing. If you’re not willing to learn and adjust, you’re going to get left behind,” he says. “Even as coaches, we make mistakes, and we have to be willing to learn from them.”

For Alyssa, the mission remains clear: “We want these kids to see how amazing they really are,” she says. “Because they’re diamonds in the rough, and they’re rare to find. But they stick around because they believe like we believe.”

What started as a small local team has grown into a force to be reckoned with in Texas grassroots basketball. Once the unknown underdog, Dark Horse Hoops has now cemented itself as a premier program—one built on heart, family, and an unrelenting commitment to excellence.