Student-athletes across Los Angeles challenge themselves and their teammates to rise to the top of their game and beyond.

So what does it take to hang with the most competitive hoopers in LA? It takes SPARQ - Speed. Power. Agility. Reaction. Quickness. These are the cornerstones of the program that was developed by renowned sports scientists to measure a baller’s athletic prowess. And you’ve gotta own it.

Over the next six weeks, The Nike SPARQ Team intends to find out if you’re an elite LA baller or if you need to log some serious hours in the gym. They’re heading out to 35 Los Angeles High schools to see who’s got the ups. Who’s got the wheels. Who’s got the determination to be an elite athlete. Hundreds of student-competitors will see if they measure up.

To participate, each athlete is put through a battery of sprints, agility drills, and strength and endurance tests highlighting strong points and exposing areas needing improvement. In the end, hoopers receive a SPARQ rating which allows them to see how they match up to the competition.

Tom Engwall of the SPARQ training team explains, “Our current campaign is called “I am my team, my team is me.” The name really reflects what we’re trying to do. We’re challenging each athlete to push themselves and their team. It’s the old motto, ‘you’re only as good as your weakest player.’ But if we can help make that weakest player twice as good as he or she was 6 months ago, that’s really gonna improve the team.”

And so far, the kids have risen to the challenge. According to Engwall, “They’re thrilled to come out when they see the SPARQ truck roll onto campus. Not only do they recognize the name, but they really understand what we do. They understand how it’s helping them and how it’s helping their team.”

But what sets this SPARQ tour apart from past ones is the team approach. The top five SPARQ ratings from each team are averaged into a ‘Team SPARQ Rating.’ At the end of the testing season, a national SPARQ champion will be named. Nick Quatrochi, Tour Director, comments, “We know athletes thrive on competition. And this brings an ingredient of competition to training.”

Will the running-and-gunning Cali ballers rise to the top of the nation? Only /LA will bring you the latest news from the Nike SPARQ Team Challenge.