“The Commissioner”: How Kylen Riley Uses Basketball to Build a Community

On a quiet day in Hinesville, Georgia, during the COVID-19 shutdown, Kylen Riley received a call to set up a private hoop session. That moment sparked the nickname that stuck: "The Commissioner."

Now 32, Riley is a Hinesville native and the son of Army who settled in the community after serving at Fort Stewart. A military kid with deep local roots, he has grown into one of the area's most recognizable figures. To many young people, Riley is more than a mentor—he's a leader who uses basketball to unite people and shape the next generation.

Through local hoop sessions and his involvement with one of the area's most competitive leagues, Riley has created opportunities that countless athletes aspire to join. He credits his values to his parents and his church, both of which instilled in him the principles that now guide his work in the community.

I had the opportunity to ask "The Commissioner" how he would describe the role he plays in the Hinesville community. And he explained: "I am a small but big piece in this community. Small in the sense that people usually associate me with basketball, but to me, it's bigger than that. I believe basketball can change lives, even save lives. So, while others might see what I do as something minor, I see it as something powerful, something that carries real meaning."

Community members echo that belief. His close friend Shaheed Foster describes Riley as a man of integrity whose moral compass is never in doubt. "For me personally, he's been a constant presence, always setting the example of doing what's right. He holds everyone to a high standard. As for the community, he's organized countless events for athletes—tournaments, weekly gym runs—that younger guys look up to."

Looking ahead, Riley hopes to expand his podcast, The Voice, which he envisions as a platform to inspire and give the community its own stage.