In this episode, we cover…
(0:00) Dennis Stanton’s basketball journey
(3:23) The importance of solo training
(4:48) The Steve Alford-style shooting workout and why simplicity works
(7:47) Confidence & mental benefits of training alone
(8:15) Multi-sport athletes & avoiding early specialization
(13:07) What separates elite athletes
(15:30) Using failure as fuel for improvement
(16:36) Playing overseas from Division III basketball
(20:43) Recruiting tips: networking & using coaches as connectors
(26:29) Biggest training mistakes & social media pressure
How to Improve Your Basketball Game: Lessons from Coach Dennis Stanton
In this conversation with Athletes Untapped, we are joined by Dennis Stanton, former college basketball player, professional overseas athlete, coach, and athletic director at Souderton High School. Dennis has spent decades around the game as a player, coach, and mentor through his basketball training program Every Level Basketball. From growing up as a multi-sport athlete to playing overseas and coaching thousands of athletes, he shares practical advice on individual basketball workouts, mindset, recruiting, and the importance of loving the game.
The Secret to Getting Better: Fall in Love with Working Solo
While coaching and structured practices are important, they can’t replace the value of individual work. As Dennis explains: “teams get better at practice. Individuals get better on their own.” Most team practices are focused on offensive systems, defensive schemes, and game preparation. That leaves limited time for individual skill development. Because of this, Dennis started embracing solo basketball workouts in 8th grade, when a coach handed him a simple shooting workout inspired by former Indiana star Steve Alford. The workout was basic:
- Spin the ball to yourself
- Shoot mid-range shots
- Practice shots off the dribble
- Work on threes and layups
- Rebound your own misses
He followed that same routine six days a week for years. The consistency of these drills helped him dramatically improve his skills. Every rep requires focus and discipline, and there’s a different level of emotional investment because you’re doing it for yourself. By the time it’s time to step onto the court, the work has already been put in behind the scenes.
Multi-Sport Training vs. Early Specialization
A heavily debated topic for young athletes is whether they should play multiple sports or specialize in one early. Dennis believes there are many benefits of being a multi-sport athlete growing up, as he played basketball, football, tennis, and golf in high school. This variety helped him develop a broader athletic foundation. Today, many athletes feel pressure to specialize early in one sport, but Dennis encourages younger players to explore multiple sports. His advice is to “play as many sports as you can for as long as you can.” Multi-sport participation can improve coordination, athleticism, injury prevention, mental freshness, and, most importantly, it keeps sports fun. Once an athlete loses passion for a sport, that’s when it may be time to focus more heavily on another.
What Separates Elite Athletes from Everyone Else
Working as an athletic director and overseeing more than 1,300 athletes, Dennis has observed one key difference between the athletes who succeed at the highest levels and those who don’t: internal motivation. Some athletes simply possess an inherent drive to improve: they seek out extra workouts, stay in the gym longer, and find ways to push themselves. He shared a story of a standout player who later became a Big Ten basketball player at Northwestern. Instead of needing encouragement to train, she was constantly asking her father to take her to the gym. Her self-driven mentality made the difference. As Dennis explains: “There’s something inside of them that wants it.” External pressure rarely works. Real improvement comes from internal motivation.
Can Division III Players Still Play Overseas?
Many players believe that if they don’t play DI basketball, their chances of playing professionally disappear, but Dennis’ own career proves otherwise. After playing at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania, he earned an opportunity to play professional basketball overseas. His journey included leagues in Denmark, Poland, Italy, Spain, and Austria. Although he admits that starting as a D3 player made the process more challenging, opportunities exist for players who perform at a high level and seek exposure. His advice for aspiring overseas players is to dominate at your current level, attend reputable exposure camps, build a strong highlight video, and be proactive with outreach. Once players enter competitive environments with strong talent, performance becomes the ultimate factor.
The Biggest Mistake Young Athletes Make During Training
One mistake Dennis frequently sees when training athletes is a lack of mental engagement during workouts. Skill development requires connection between the mind and body, and he has seen many players go through drills without truly understanding what their bodies are doing. When athletes make a great shot, they should ask themselves: What did my footwork feel like? How did my release feel? What allowed that shot to go in? Recognizing and repeating those sensations helps athletes replicate success. “Your mind has to be present with what you’re feeling,” he stated. Without that awareness, practice reps become less effective.
How Social Media Affects Young Athletes
Today’s athletes face a challenge previous generations didn’t: constant comparison through social media. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok showcase highlight clips of players performing at their best, but those clips rarely show the missed shots, tough practices, or struggles behind the scenes. Dennis encourages athletes to eliminate outside noise and focus on their own development. Instead, athletes should trust their coaches, their work ethic, and their personal progress.
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