From the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase to NCAA Division I Basketball — Making an Impact On and Off the Court
CLEVELAND, OHIO — For some athletes, basketball is simply a game. For others, it’s an opportunity to open doors, create relationships, inspire others, and make a lasting difference in their communities.
For London Maiden, basketball has become much more than what happens between the lines.
From dominating the paint at a free basketball showcase in Northeast Ohio to earning an NCAA Division I scholarship, winning a high school state championship, and giving back to incarcerated youth, Maiden’s journey is one of perseverance, faith, hard work, and community service.
And his story is still being written.
WHERE IT ALL STARTED: THE I.C. CHANGE BASKETBALL SHOWCASE
In 2020, a young London Maiden attended the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase, a free event in Northeast Ohio designed to provide exposure and opportunities for student-athletes, particularly those who might otherwise be overlooked during the college recruiting process.
Maiden immediately made his presence felt.
His physicality, rebounding ability, determination, and thunderous dunks caught the attention of college coaches representing different levels of collegiate basketball.
One former NBA point guard in attendance described Maiden’s tenacity as “contagious.”
That showcase would become an important turning point in his recruitment.
Following his performance at the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase, Maiden received his first college scholarship offer from (NAIA) Fisk University, helping launch a recruiting journey that would eventually take him to the NCAA Division I level.
What started as an opportunity at a free basketball showcase turned into something much bigger.
A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND A DIVISION I OPPORTUNITY
Maiden spent his first three years of high school basketball at Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Ohio.
Following a coaching change, he transferred to Richmond Heights High School for his senior season in 2021–22.
The move proved to be significant.
Maiden became a dominant presence in the paint for the Richmond Heights Spartans, averaging 14.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game during the regular season.
His contributions helped lead Richmond Heights to the program’s first-ever OHSAA Division IV Boys Basketball State Championship in March 2022.
In the championship game, Maiden contributed 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots, helping the Spartans make school history.
Recognized as one of Ohio’s top center prospects in the Class of 2022, Maiden ultimately committed to Kent State University, fulfilling his goal of reaching NCAA Division I basketball.
But reaching that level was only the beginning of his journey.
THE COLLEGE JOURNEY: PERSEVERANCE AND GROWTH
Maiden’s college basketball career has been anything but a straight line.
His journey has taken him through multiple programs and different levels of college basketball, each providing opportunities to grow as an athlete and young man.
2022–23 | Kent State University — NCAA Division I
Maiden began his college career with the Golden Flashes, redshirting his true freshman season while adjusting to the demands of Division I basketball.
2023–24 | Mars Hill University — NCAA Division II
Seeking an opportunity to develop and contribute on the court, Maiden transferred to Mars Hill University in North Carolina. He appeared in 25 games, averaging 7.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest.
2024–25 | Blinn College — Junior College
Maiden continued his basketball journey at Blinn College in Texas, where his production and efficiency improved. He averaged 11.4 points per game while shooting an impressive 59.2% from the field.
His performance helped position him for another opportunity at the Division I level.
2025–26 | University of Detroit Mercy — NCAA Division I
Maiden returned to Division I basketball with the Detroit Mercy Titans.
He appeared in 31 games, making 9 starts, and became a dependable member of the Titans’ frontcourt rotation. One of his standout performances came against IU Indianapolis, when he recorded a season-high 18 points.
2026–27 | University of Detroit Mercy — NCAA Division I
Now entering his senior season, Maiden will once again represent the Detroit Mercy Titans in the Horizon League.
His upcoming schedule will include conference battles against programs such as Cleveland State University and Youngstown State University.
From Kent State to Mars Hill, Blinn College, and eventually Detroit Mercy, Maiden’s journey demonstrates that success isn’t always about taking the easiest road.
Sometimes it’s about remaining committed to your goals, adjusting to adversity, and refusing to give up.
BIGGER THAN BASKETBALL: GIVING BACK TO INCARCERATED YOUTH
While Maiden’s accomplishments on the basketball court deserve recognition, something equally important stands out about the young man he has become.
He hasn’t forgotten where he came from, and he understands the importance of giving back.
Coming from a family grounded in faith and spiritual values, Maiden believes that helping others is a responsibility that extends far beyond sports.
Despite the demands of being a college basketball player, Maiden has volunteered his time visiting young people incarcerated within the Juvenile Justice System.
These visits are about much more than making an appearance.
Maiden takes time to speak with the residents, offer encouragement, share life experiences, and remind them that their current circumstances do not have to determine their futures.
But he doesn’t stop at talking.
He gets on the basketball court with them.
He plays pickup games, offers coaching and basketball instruction, provides pointers, and interacts with the young people in an environment where they can simply enjoy being kids.
Those moments matter.
For a young person experiencing incarceration, having a Division I college basketball player take time out of his schedule to visit, encourage, and compete alongside them can leave a lasting impression.
It sends an important message:
Someone believes in you. Your future matters. And there are people in your community who want to see you succeed.
Maiden understands that sometimes a few hours of someone’s time can make a difference in another person’s life.
THE TRUE MISSION OF I.C. CHANGE
For I.C. Change Basketball Showcase founder Ian Cunningham and the organization’s staff, watching Maiden’s development has been about far more than seeing a former participant succeed in college basketball.
It’s about watching him become the type of young man who understands the importance of reaching back and helping others.
The I.C. Change Basketball Showcase was created to provide young athletes with opportunities through exposure, competition, college recruiting, mentorship, scholarships, and community networking.
The showcase has always emphasized that the impact of sports should extend beyond the basketball court.
Maiden represents that mission.
A young man who once needed an opportunity is now using his own experiences and platform to create positive opportunities for others.
He has experienced the excitement of receiving his first scholarship offer, the pride of winning a state championship, the challenges of transferring between colleges, and the satisfaction of returning to Division I basketball.
Now he is taking those experiences and using them to encourage young people who may be facing challenges of their own.
It’s not simply about how many points an athlete scores, how many rebounds they collect, or what college jersey they wear.
It’s about the person they become and the impact they make on the people around them.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
As the 2026–27 basketball season approaches, London Maiden prepares for his senior year at the University of Detroit Mercy.
There will be challenges, opportunities, big games, and important moments ahead as he competes in the Horizon League.
But regardless of what happens on the basketball court, Maiden has already demonstrated something that cannot be measured in a box score.
Character and Commitment. And a willingness to give back.
From a young athlete attending a free showcase in Northeast Ohio in 2020 to becoming a Division I basketball player who invests his time in the next generation, London Maiden’s journey is a reminder of why organizations like I.C. Change exist.
The staff of the I.C. Change Basketball Showcase couldn’t be prouder of what London has accomplished and, more importantly, the young man he continues to become.
Basketball may have opened the door for London Maiden, but his character, faith, and commitment to others are what will define his legacy.
It’s about changing lives, creating opportunities, and making a difference — one young person at a time.
Instagram: @icchangeshowcase
Instagram: @lon15_
X: @iancle1
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