About JAB Hopes

Our Vision

To bring forth young men and women who are committed to being the best version of themselves in all situations. JAB Hopes will provide the opportunity for all youth to excel at the game of basketball and life.

Our Mission

We aim to provide kids, regardless of economic status, an opportunity to reach their full potential through the platform of basketball. By providing the growth experiences of playing basketball and a social emotional learning curriculum, we enable them to apply these experiences to their daily lives. We challenge our players to embrace our H.U.G.E. (Humble, Unrelenting, Grateful, Extra-ordinary) philosophy and encourage them to not only grow as individuals but to also look for ways to help their peers grow.

Current Programs

JAB Hopes works with local schools to help students take part in a positive basketball experience beyond the classroom. By supporting participation in our program, we hope to give more kids the opportunity to grow on and off the court.

Jab Hopes Leadership Team

Alex Hernandez

Coach

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Alex Hernandez is a proud product of Catholic education, having attended St. Mary of Carmel and Jesuit Dallas before earning his undergraduate degree cum laude from Saint Louis University. He then completed his Master of Education through the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program, deepening his commitment to faith-based service and teaching.

Since graduating from ACE, Alex has dedicated his career to Catholic education, first serving at Cristo Rey High School in Sacramento, California, where he taught World History, US History, as well as Government and Economics in addition to coaching basketball before returning home to teach social studies at Jesuit Dallas.

Guided by Ignatian values and a passion for developing young adults of conscience and compassion, Alex views teaching and coaching as both vocation and ministry. Alex has worked with JAB Hopes since Fall 2025.

Sarah Polzer

Executive Director

As a student at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, Sarah first learned the importance of Serviam, Ursuline’s motto of “I will serve”. She has carried the spirit of serviam with her and is forever grateful to Ursuline for instilling a mission of service in their graduates. Following high school, Sarah attended the University of Texas and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She then attended the University of Houston Law School where met her husband, a fellow longhorn, and graduated cum laude. After law school, Sarah practiced commercial real estate law at international law firm Greenberg Traurig before moving to the world of higher education as an Assistant Director in the Office of Records and Registration at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Sarah is a mom to four wonderful children, two daughters, ages 13 and 3, and twin boys, age 11. She loves seeing JAB Hopes at work in the Dallas community and is excited to grow the organization. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, volunteering at St. Rita, going to Pilates, traveling, and reading.

Jonathan Alexander

Founder

Jonathan Alexander is the founder of JAB Basketball and JAB Hopes, organizations committed to using basketball as a platform to positively impact young athletes, coaches, and families. Since founding JAB in 2012, Jonathan and his team of coaches have grown the program from a local North Dallas initiative into one of the area’s most respected youth basketball communities, serving thousands of players and families each year. Built on the core values of being humble, unrelenting, grateful, and extraordinary, JAB has become known not only for skill development and competitive success, but for building stronger teammates, coaches, and families through basketball.

In JAB Hopes, Jonathan works alongside coaches, families, and community partners to help create opportunities for youth through scholarships, mentorship, and access to quality programs and support.

Originally from California, Jonathan attended the University of Dallas, where he played basketball and began his coaching career. He has been married to his wife, Emily, since 2004, and together they are raising seven children — six boys (William, Louie, Michael, Rowan, Theodore, Aidan) and Cora.