Can you read/see this?

Logo for Legends of the Hardwood. A Final-Four event hosted by Athletes in Action. I'm trying to incorporate a hoop or basketball in the logo per the client's request. So I'm trying by making "of the" in to a basketball hoop.

I'm the only full time designer at Athletes in Action (a pretty big non-profit). So any critique will be greatly appreciated. And don't worry, you don't have to sugar coat your words, I lost all of my tears in design school.