Athletic Background
Summary of Career and Accomplishments
CBA, IBA, USBL (US) Professional Basketball Player US and Overseas
1998 – 2008
1998-1999 CBA La Crosse Bobcats La Crosse Wisconsin
1999-2000 BSG Bremerhaven Germany*
2000-2001 USC Heidelberg Germany
2001-2002 Telenet Giants Antwerp Belgium/Dorados de Chihuahua Mexico 2002-2003 Orthodox Amman Jordan*
2003-2004 Al Jahra Kuwait City Kuwait/Al Jalaa Syria
2004-2005 BC CSU Sibiu Romania
2005-2006 Al-Muharraq Bahrain
2006-2007 Al Nasr Riyadh Saudi Arabia/Keflavik Iceland
2007-2008 Guangdong Southern Tigers China/Auckland Stars New Zealand
* Player of the Year
Who is the best coach you ever had and why?
The best coach I ever had was my college coach Rick Duckett. He taught me how to exert my influence on a game without having to score a lot of points.
What should athletes and parents know about you?
It's crucial to understand the principles guiding my approach as a sports performance trainer. Here are nine principles I follow to help athletes I work with reach their goals:
1-Proper Technique: Emphasize the significance of mastering correct techniques in sports-specific movements. Proper form not only enhances performance but also reduces the risk of injuries.
2-Individualization: Every athlete is unique, with different strengths, weaknesses, and developmental needs. Training programs should be tailored to individual requirements rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
3-Balanced Training: Optimal performance is achieved through a balanced training regimen encompassing strength, endurance, flexibility, agility, and skill development. Neglecting any of these components can hinder overall performance.
4-Periodization: Training should be organized into distinct phases throughout the year to peak performance during key competitions while allowing for adequate rest and recovery periods to prevent burnout and overtraining.
5- Nutrition and Hydration: Proper nutrition and hydration are essential for fueling workouts, promoting recovery, and sustaining optimal performance. Encourage athletes to maintain a well-balanced diet and stay hydrated before, during, and after training sessions.
6-Rest and Recovery: Adequate rest is crucial for allowing the body to adapt to training stimuli and repair damaged tissues. Incorporate rest days into training schedules and prioritize quality sleep to maximize recovery.
7-Mental Conditioning: Sports performance is not just physical; it also involves mental strength and resilience. Teach athletes techniques such as visualization, goal setting, and mindfulness to enhance focus, confidence, and emotional control.
8-Injury Prevention: Incorporate injury prevention strategies such as warm-up routines, cooldown exercises, proper equipment usage, and proactive rehabilitation exercises to minimize the risk of injuries and ensure long-term athletic development.
9-Monitoring Progress: Regularly assess and track progress through performance metrics, such as strength gains, speed improvements, and skill development. Monitoring progress provides valuable feedback for adjusting training programs and setting new goals.
Coaching Background
Summary of Coaching Background
As a coach, I hold certifications from NASM as a CPT, PES, and CES, ensuring a solid foundation in personal training, performance enhancement, and corrective exercise. My approach is highly personalized, tailoring programs to the unique needs of each client. By integrating training, flexibility, movement, and nutrition, I strive to achieve their desired outcomes effectively. Additionally, my certification as a Z Health Movement Specialist equips me with advanced tools ideal for weight management and strength training. With experience training athletes from high school, college, and professional levels—including the NBA and NFL—I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every coaching session.
How can you help someone improve their game?
As a sports performance practitioner, my primary emphasis is on fostering coordinated and efficient movement, recognizing that improved movement mechanics directly correlate with enhanced overall performance. Following this foundational principle, the training regimen seamlessly transitions to prioritize strength training and conditioning. This dual focus not only primes the athlete for rigorous on-court activities but also ensures readiness and optimal performance tailored to their specific sport.
What does a typical training session look like?
To help athletes elevate their game, my process begins with an initial session, then we go into the training session:
INITIAL ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES:
Assessing strengths and weaknesses
Evaluating nutrition and rest habits
Establishing goals for strength training
Enhancing speed, agility, and plyometrics
Building mental toughness and confidence
Introducing techniques for studying game film
TRAINING SESSION COMPONENTS:
Warm-Up
Stretching
Reviewing session objectives
Engaging in focused work
Conditioning drills
Cool Down
Final stretching
This structure ensures that each training session is comprehensive, targeting both physical and mental aspects crucial for athletic improvement.