The National Basketball Association and Cartoon Network have teamed up to boost kids’ awareness of and excitement about basketball and physical fitness with the new NBA Hoop Troop.

The set of five characters debuted Tuesday on a dedicated website and will appear in digital, print and television advertising campaigns throughout the season, as well as at marquee NBA events.

The NBA Hoop Troop–Ally Oop, Swish, Slam, Gym Bag and Sneaker–will also team up with other organizations for promotional events.

A retail promotion with Kids Foot Locker kicked off Wednesday and will continue throughout the NBA season. NBAHoopTroop.com is also working with KidsHealth.org to create custom health and wellness content for kids, including fitness and nutrition tips for staying healthy and active.

“The NBA Hoop Troop team was created to help introduce kids to the core values of our game–teamwork, passion, dedication, sportsmanship and healthy living–at an early age,” says Saskia Sorrosa, vice president of multicultural/targeted marketing, NBA. “The NBA’s biggest fans will engage young people in what we hope will be a long-term, positive love of the game.”