My Basketball Journey

Growing up in Wildwood Crest, NJ, I developed a passion for the game of basketball at a young age. From shooting hoops outside my house to playing professionally across the Atlantic Ocean in Europe and everything in between this game has taken me on a wild ride. 

I was very fortunate to have a great journey and experience with the game. Therefore, I now want to pass the array of knowledge, experience, and skills that I have gathered onto the next generation of basketball players with the hope that they too can one day experience the things I have with the game. Here is a brief synopsis of my basketball journey:

During my time as a young player I participated on numerous teams and attended 100s of camps/clinics, I traveled throughout the tri-state area for tournaments, and watched great players that came before me all in order to improve my game. I quickly learned I needed to develop a hard work ethic if I wanted to achieve my basketball dreams. As an undersized point guard I was told countless times that I was too small or too slow, but my passion for the game far exceeded those negative feelings. I simply refused to believe it and I worked on everything I could control. I became dedicated to my extreme work ethic. Furthermore, I was extremely fortunate to have my family, teammates, and coaches push me and put me in the right places to accomplish my dream!

Later along my journey, I attended Wildwood Catholic. There, playing as a freshmen, we won three games, but with hard work, great coaches, and determination we won 20 games my last year. Looking back, I was very fortunate to have such a successful career at WCHS, scoring over 1,100 points and being honored with numerous accolades upon graduating.

With this success and countless hours put in on the court and in the classroom, I was awarded a college scholarship to play at NCAA D2 University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. While there, my teammates and I were able to turn the program into a successful power in the region. Eventually cumulating into the schools first NCAA Tournament appearance and first round victory. From an individual standpoint, I accomplished more than I could have ever imagined. As a four year starter, I led the nation in Assist/Turnover Ratio, was top 25 in the nation for minutes played, finished 4th in school history in assists, and most importantly was apart of over 75 wins, one of the most successful four year periods in school history.

After the buzzer sounded in my last college game I thought my playing career was over. However, another opportunity came knocking. I was awarded an opportunity to play and get my masters degree in Ireland with Sport Changes Life and the Rory McIlroy Foundation. After a successful season with LYIT Donegal, I once again had an opportunity play another season in Europe. This time in Spain with Club Estudiantes.

Most importantly, these varying experiences allowed me to see how the game is taught in different countries.

Lastly, I haven't talked at all about my coaches or trainers but I can say with a high level of certainty that I would never have achieved what I was able to do without their help! I was able to see first hand the difference a good trainer or coach can make on someone's life, in this example my life.

As I stated earlier, I have seen what basketball has done for me and for this I have the passion and drive to pass my knowledge on the next generation, in the hopes that one day they too can have a memorable experience with the sport.

So that’s my story… now what is Your Story going to be?

Transferring Schools For High School Athletes

Quick thoughts on changing schools at the high school level from a skill development and a skill trainer point of view. Often a lot of hatred, emotions, and arguments derive from a player, specifically a highly rated one, in switching schools at the high school level. Honestly, in most cases, I’m not sure why it gets so overblown. I think there are two factors that have to be taken into account. First, there is a great deal on the line for these athletes and it is an extremely crucial time in their skill development. The possibility of scholarships comes into the picture.  Second, their exposure is vital. Undoubtedly, some schools are on the radar of college scouts more than others for a particular sport. There are many reasons for this such as, they have a highly touted player or maybe they simply have a reputation for producing college players. Therefore, would you want a developing player going against the best possible competition every day at practice? Would you want her/him playing in front of more college coaches/scouts for every game? The game is a business more than ever with big rewards given to those who can excel at it; if people care so much about a developing player who aspires to get rewarded then a move to a school where you can answer “yes” to those two questions should not be criticized. Don’t hate the player, and go ahead and criticize Lebron, the image of today’s game, for lack of loyalty not a high school player.

 So ask yourself do you care more about the player or the school? 

 With that said, I have seen it ruin so many athletes over the years. Many times transferring can become contagious and occur more than once in a high schooler’s career. At this point, I think it can be a loss to the player. College coaches will certainly take into consideration a player’s track record of staying at a school before giving the player a four-year scholarship.  

Just my thoughts from a pure skill development trainer point of view! 

Please note I do not involve myself nor will I ever involve myself in one of player’s decisions. Thank you!

 Let me hear it…

T