Vin Rock and DJ Kay Gee, founding members of the Grammy Award-winning group Naughty by Nature, have always carried East Orange with them. Known worldwide for their impact on hip hop culture, they continue to use their platform to give back to the community that helped shape them.

The dedication of the Naughty by Nature Basketball Court at Oval Park became more than a landmark. It became the spark for Ballin’ by Nature — a community-driven basketball and youth development initiative rooted in sports, culture, mentorship, and neighborhood pride.

For DJ Kay Gee, basketball has always been part of the connection between music, discipline, teamwork, and youth culture. His love for the game helps fuel the program’s energy and commitment to creating positive spaces for young people.

For Vin Rock, sports and community support have long been part of his mission. Through Ballin’ by Nature, he continues to help build opportunities that bring families, athletes, local leaders, and the next generation together.

Working alongside the City of East Orange, the Mayor’s Office, East Orange Recreation, community partners, and local sponsors, Vin Rock and DJ Kay Gee are helping turn Oval Park into a hub for youth empowerment, basketball, culture, and lasting community impact.

Ballin’ by Nature is where legacy meets leadership — built by East Orange, for East Orange.

Brandon Smith

Brandon Smith is a proud East Orange native and former East Orange High School basketball standout. He brings a strong background in community outreach, brand marketing, and event production, with more than 20 years of experience building high-impact experiences rooted in culture, sports, and giving back.

Throughout his career, Brandon has collaborated with major brands and organizations including Nike, NBPA, HOT 97, Brooklyn Nets, EA Sports, and Red Bull. He is also the founder of Hoopsville, one of New Jersey’s respected basketball pro-am leagues, known for its strong community foundation and competitive talent.

Through Ballin’ by Nature, Brandon helps lead the vision, partnerships, and community programming that connect youth, families, athletes, and local leaders through basketball.

Marcus Toney-El

Marcus Toney-El brings decades of basketball experience as a former professional player, coach, trainer, and youth mentor. He played professionally overseas in the Dominican Republic, Japan, and Australia, then transitioned into coaching and player development.

Marcus formerly served as Associate Head Coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University and has spent more than 10 years coaching high school basketball. He also founded El-ite Experience, offering basketball training, camps, and clinics for young athletes.

With experience coaching programs such as the New Jersey Playaz and Five Star Basketball Camp, Marcus uses his playing and coaching background to develop young talent while teaching discipline, leadership, and confidence on and off the court.

Together, Brandon Smith and Marcus Toney-El lead Ballin’ by Nature with a shared mission: to create meaningful opportunities for youth through basketball, mentorship, culture, and community impact.