Coach Candis
As a former four-year starter at the well-respected Division I program at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), Coach Candis had quite a playing career. Holding degrees in kinesiology and sports management, she then found appointments teaching kinesiology at Tarrant County College and developing a physical education curriculum at the Dallas Independent School District.
In 2016, Candis moved into coaching, where she has spent the last 9 years. The accomplished leader holds a wealth of international coaching experience, having built sports programs at the International School of Genoa in Italy and the International School of Yangon in Myanmar. In the latter role, Candis led her team to an undefeated 16–0 season and a SEASAC championship in 2018.
Coach Candis’ coaching career continued on the Alaskan frontier. In Sitka, Alaska, she significantly transformed Mt. Edgecumbe High School’s basketball program, twice earning Region V Coach of the Year honors. Under her tutelage, Mt. Edgecumbe made a thrilling run to the 3A state final in 2022–23 and then went on to achieve a borderline unthinkable 9–0 conference championship winning season in 2023–24.
Currently, Candis serves as Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Mayville State University, bringing her passion and proven success to the collegiate level. No matter the appointment, Candis’s coaching philosophy rallies around helping athletes achieve the goals they set out to accomplish. She focuses on building programs, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Whether managing youth teams in remote Alaska or guiding college athletes, Candis leverages her international and Division One playing experience to uplift every player she mentors.
Coaching Location: Dallas, TX
Coach Octavius
An expert coach across many different sports, Octavius understands the unique demands of basketball, track & field, and football, the latter of which he pursued most during his playing days. A high-achieving athlete, he was a standout multi-sport performer in Chicago during his high school days, excelling in all three sports. He earned a scholarship to continue his football career under Coach Hal Mumme at the University of Kentucky. After completing 4 years there, Octavius headed south to play for a final year at Grambling State, where he was an All-SWAC performer.
His playing success is as impressive as his dedication to athlete development. Coach Octavius aspires to be not just a coach, but a transformational mentor who helps athletes elevate their careers as a whole. It’s only fitting that someone of this mindset has trained with NBA athletes.
Octavius ensures that he understands how to teach the game, holding numerous certifications. He holds ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association) credentials in personal training, nutrition, and strength & conditioning, each of which takes hundreds of hours to obtain. His coaching formula is built on a simple yet powerful cycle: plan, attack the plan, evaluate how it went, and start the process from the beginning. This, along with the carefully designed structure of his sessions, ensures continuous improvement for hardworking athletes.
Octavius believes that transparent communication fosters greater confidence in his athletes. He sees success as a collaborative journey, recognizing that “[he doesn’t] know everything, but [is willing to] figure it out together”. Coach Octavius believes that giving athletes his undivided attention is one of the most important factors in creating tailored plans that help young stars realize their full potential.
Coaching Location: Houston, TX
Coach Tyson
Holding a deep understanding of what it takes to chase a basketball dream against the odds, Tyson is the epitome of resilience and passion. After shining in high school as a top-100 shooter in Texas, he made his way to college basketball at Temple College (NJCAA) and SAGU (NAIA).
What truly sets Tyson apart is his ability to connect through shared struggle. Amongst his successes, Tyson is grounded in recognizing that his road to the college court wasn’t easy. Tyson had to overcome significant challenges, including unsupportive coaching in high school, recurring knee injuries, and the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted his college tryouts. Despite these obstacles, Tyson persevered and earned a spot on the court, proving that determination and grit can overcome adversity.
Now based in Waxahachie, TX, Tyson brings that same spirit to coaching. Drawing from his own journey, Tyson blends form shooting, ball-handling, footwork, and off-the-ball movement to help athletes enhance their skill set.
A lesson with Tyson isn’t just about drills; it’s about fostering resilience, building mental toughness, and instilling a belief that no setback should derail your goals. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming for college-level play, Tyson’s journey and approach offer a blueprint for success through hard work and unwavering belief.
Coaching Location: Waxahachie, TX
Coach Cristophe
A native of the Dallas area, Cristophe is a dedicated basketball instructor known for blending his competitive playing background with elite-level training expertise. After honing his skills through high school ball in Forney and Richardson, where he averaged 15 points per game and led his teams to tournament victories, he transitioned into coaching youth and developing a personalized training approach designed to elevate athletes through focused skill work and performance conditioning.
His coaching journey includes a significant role as a basketball instructor with I9 Sports, where he guided young players through skill building, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Under his leadership, youth teams have dominated the competition, including one team that logged an 18–3 season. Furthermore, Coach Christophe’s teams have captured multiple championships, reflecting his talent to foster excellence when it matters most.
At the core of Cristophe’s philosophy is a player-first mindset, designing each session to align with the athlete’s goals by combining technical drills, strategic thinking, and physical conditioning. No matter the drill, Cristophe ensures that he puts forth the same effort he expects of his players, something his mentor taught him. The supportive and engaging mentorship Coach Christophe provides empowers athletes to not only refine fundamentals but also grow in confidence, resilience, and on-court IQ.
Coaching Location: Arlington, TX
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