Let It Fly Basketball Tournament Set for August 11
Chelsea native Umemba serves as role model through community basketball initiative
By Cary Shuman
Though Kyle Umemba has graced runways across the globe as a fashion model, his most meaningful work as a role model takes place in Chelsea.
Umemba co-founded the Let It Fly Basketball Tournament alongside Cesar Castro. The event, now in its fourth year, will take place Saturday, Aug. 11 at the Jordan Boys and Girls Club on Willow Street, showcasing some of the region’s top basketball talent.
At 25 years old, Umemba developed his basketball skills through the Chelsea Youth Basketball League (CYBL) and AAU competition before attending the prestigious Buckingham Browne and Nichols school in Cambridge. The 6-foot-3-inch guard/forward drew interest from college coaches, particularly at Division 1 George Washington, but ultimately decided to prioritize his education. He earned a finance degree and now works as a consultant for Price Waterhouse Coopers while maintaining his modeling career with major designers in New York, London, and Milan.
“It’s a good balance,” said Kyle.
Kyle and Cesar are currently putting final preparations in place for what has become the region’s premier summer youth basketball tournament.
What inspired the creation of Let It Fly?
“We saw that there was a lack of basketball leagues for the kids,” said Umemba. “We wanted to help out the players and also Chelsea graduates.”
Umemba and Castro have made a substantial impact, awarding $500 scholarships to 11 graduates from Chelsea High School and Phoenix Charter School.
Joan Cromwell, Kyle’s mother and president of the Chelsea Black Community (CBC), has been instrumental to the tournament’s success.
“Without CBC and Joan Cromwell, this tournament would not be possible,” credited Castro.
Brown Sugar Catering, owned by Joan, serves as the tournament’s official caterer.
When asked if he views himself as a role model for Chelsea youth, Umemba responded:
“I don’t really look for that – if my actions determine that, so be it, but I’d rather just have some type of positive effect on people,” said Umemba.
Castro Brings Basketball Excellence to Chelsea High as Coach and Mentor
By Cary Shuman
During his four years playing basketball for Chelsea High School, Cesar Castro demonstrated exceptional skill—dribbling, driving, passing, and shooting—but his greatest strength was scoring.
Castro accumulated 1,252 points, making him the second-leading scorer in boys school history, behind only the legendary Craig Walker. He earned Commonwealth Athletic Conference MVP honors and guided Chelsea to the conference championship in 2010, his senior year.
The 6-foot guard remains deeply involved in basketball as an assistant coach under Judah Jackson at Chelsea High School. The Red Devils captured the CAC championship this season.
“It feels good to win a championship as a coach and a player,” said Castro, who went on to earn All-Region recognition at Bunker Hill Community College.
Castro works as a paraprofessional aide at Wright Middle School in Chelsea and is nearing completion of his bachelor’s degree from Salem State University.
Through his daily work with Chelsea students in the schools and CHS basketball program, Castro, 27, recognized an opportunity to create a summer tournament that would energize the community and inspire young players.
The Let It Fly Tournament continues to grow, having filled the gym to capacity last year with competitive games. This year’s event features complimentary refreshments, live entertainment from DJ Max Max, and raffles. “We’re going to start something new this year with a middle school division with four teams,” said Castro. “And we still have an eight-team high school division. It should be another great tournament.”
Competing teams will come from Lynn, Boston, Cambridge, and Chelsea in the older division, with several top prep school players from across New England participating.
“It’s a one-and-one format so they have to come ready to play,” said Castro. “There’s no time for feeling it out. The players were talking about this tournament on social media back in December so they’ll be ready to compete.”
Umemba and Castro both grew up at the Jordan Boys and Girls Club in Chelsea, Castro noted.
“We want to thank [Executive Director] Gina Centrella, Jonathan Perez, and John Perez for all their cooperation and allowing us to hold our tournament there,” said Castro. “That’s our home and we thank them a lot.”
Castro extended his thanks to Chelsea Police officers Sammy Mojica, David Batchelor Jr., and Keith Sweeney, as well as firefighter Jonathan Morilli, for their support at the tournament. He also acknowledged City Councillors Damali Vidot and Jamir Rodriguez for their continued backing of Let It Fly.
Asked about his role as a mentor to Chelsea youth, Castro reflected:
“It’s not my intention to be a role model,” said Castro. “I just try to be genuine. And when I grew up, I truly appreciated someone pointing me in the right direction and that’s what I try to do in the schools and in the basketball program.”