To understand Character & Skills Basketball (CSB), one must first know its founder, Ephraim Smiley III. His journey is deeply rooted in the influence of his parents, Ephraim Jr. and Marsha Smiley, who provided a stable foundation that helped him navigate the challenges of growing up on Fort Wayne’s southeast side.

Service is a family legacy. Over forty years ago, his father founded Smiley’s Garden Angels, an urban farm dedicated to providing fresh vegetables to residents in need—a mission that remains active today. Following in his parents' footsteps, Ephraim committed himself to a life of service at the age of 18.

Coach Smiley’s passion for basketball developed at South Side High School, eventually leading him to play at Taylor University. During his collegiate career, he was the recipient of numerous academic and athletic honors. Upon graduating, he returned to Fort Wayne with a vision to use his experiences to empower the next generation.

Character & Skills Basketball began in 2007 as a response to a rash of local murders. The program initially offered free camps at McMillen Park and small group workouts. Ephraim’s goal was simple yet profound: to use basketball as a vehicle for teaching fortitude, integrity, and discipline.

Today, Coach Smiley continues to mentor youth, emphasizing that the virtues required to win on the court—sacrifice, goal-setting, and perseverance—are the same ones required to win in life.

Ephraim is a devoted family man, happily married to his wife, Aisha. They are the proud parents of four children: Isaac, Malila, Amiliya, and Ephraim IV.