My love for basketball was undeniable from a young age. Growing up in North Carolina, it was hard not to love the game. I was a regular at all the local basketball camps, starting as early as kindergarten. I won various camp awards such as “Most Improved Player” in middle school, where I attended former UNC Women’s basketball coach, Silvia Hatchell’s, camp. I also clinched the “One on One” title at my high school camp. Playing exclusively with boys until middle school and being the only girl on all my elementary teams taught me resilience and the value of breaking barriers. I am also “fun-sized” so I know what it’s like to be underestimated. Size is important in this sport but it’s not as crucial as learning creative ways to outwit your opponent to get open for the shot. I also focus on passing skills, as I believe this is one of the most important aspects of being an effective player.

Ricky McDevitt, former coach of Madison High School in Marshall, North Carolina. He led the 1991 Women's High School Basketball Team to win the State Championship. He was my best coach because I learned so much from him in my younger years, when I was first starting to play basketball at around the age of 3 or 4. It was his summer basketball camps that I attended the most and it was because of his coaching that I was able to start out on the right path. He was patient, and inspiring, and his basketball IQ was/is off the charts. He helped me believe in myself and pushed me to always do my best, no matter what. He taught me how important it was to hustle on every play, even if it seemed hopeless, hustle always goes a long way. The passion he had for the game was so infectious that anyone who was ever coached by him was always effected.

With me, you won't ever have to worry about safety, as I am trained in CPR/First Aid/AED-valid through October 2025. Our session will always have a good mix of conditioning, skills drills, one on one play, and FUN! I am extremely inclusive and a member of the LGBTQ+ community so if that is something that is important to you, then you can trust that you or your child will be in good hands. I know what it is like to be underestimated because I'm a girl and because I'm "fun-sized." I can show you so many ways to outsmart your opponent, effective penetrating and dish plays, and creating space for your shots. I'm excellent at dribbling and can show you creative techniques to get around your defenders.

This would be my first official coaching job. Before you write me off because of that, it's important to know that I live, eat, and sleep basketball. You won't find another person more passionate about the game. I have an extremely high IQ when it comes to the sport. And I have a much more unique perspective than the typical "cookie-cutter" coaches you might find. My love for basketball was undeniable from a young age. Growing up in North Carolina, it was hard not to love the game. I was a regular at all the local basketball camps, starting as early as kindergarten. I won various camp awards such as “Most Improved Player” in middle school, where I attended former UNC Women’s basketball coach, Silvia Hatchell’s, camp. I also clinched the “One on One” title at my high school camp. I idolized legends like “Pistol Pete” Maravich, Michael Jordan, Cheryl Swoops, and Lisa Leslie to name a few. Playing exclusively with boys until middle school and being the only girl on all my elementary teams taught me resilience and the value of breaking barriers. This experience, coupled with my role as a point guard, instilled in me a deep passion for the game and a strong sense of leadership. Though I may not have any direct coaching experience, I certainly have skills that are directly transferrable. I have over 20 years of sales and customer service experience. I am obsessed with delivering epic customer experiences, building relationships, and exceeding sales goals. These skills directly translate to coaching, where building relationships with players, motivating them, and ensuring they have a positive experience are crucial. My diverse work experience has equipped me with invaluable skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership, which are essential for coaching. Most recently as a Spa Coach, I achieved rapid success, selling two hot tubs in the first week and 65 to date, totaling $249,000 in sales. Additionally, my experience as a Mortgage Loan Originator for nearly seven years taught me the importance of building relationships and keeping on top of the ever-changing rules of “the game.” I have consistently ranked as a top agent in the company and others, showcasing my ability to excel in a competitive environment. While I may not have direct coaching experience, I am confident that my unique skillset is directly transferrable to the role of a private basketball coach. My passion for basketball and my ability to motivate and lead teams make me a strong candidate. Life is about taking chances. Don't let this one slip by you. Just give me a "shot" and I'll show you how to dominate in this epic game.

-Resilience and Perseverance: Playing exclusively with boys until middle school and being the only girl on your elementary teams showcases my ability to break barriers and persevere through challenges. I’ll show you how to be tough like this in a competitive sport. -Mindset: This goes hand in hand with the above, as basketball isn’t just a physical game. How strong your mindset determines how successful you will be as a player. I have a plethora of ways to help improve your mindset as a player that will also improve all aspects of your life, even outside the game. -Leadership skills: My experience as a point guard and mortgage loan officer has given me strong leadership qualities that I can pass on to you. -Communication Skills: With over 15 years in sales and customer service, I have honed my communication skills. This is crucial when in a game, as you must be able to warn your teammates of screens, lead them to the ball with your passes, and more. Good communication is vital for being a successful basketball player, as it effectively conveys strategies, provides feedback, and fosters a positive team environment. Motivational Ability: People like to call me a “Promoter of Happiness.” My role as a promoter of happiness demonstrates my natural talent for inspiring and motivating others. This skill is essential in coaching to keep players engaged and driven. Relationship Building: My background in sales, particularly as a Mortgage Loan Originator, highlights my expertise in building relationships. Developing strong connections with your teammates can create a supportive and cohesive team atmosphere. Competitive Edge: My success as a top agent in sales showcases my competitive spirit and drive to excel. Bringing this competitive edge to coaching can help me instill a winning mindset in my players. Strategic Thinking: Winning various camp awards, such as “Most Improved Player” and “One on One” titles, demonstrates my strategic thinking and ability to improve continuously. I will apply this strategic mindset to developing effective game plans and player development programs. Passion for Basketball: My lifelong love for basketball, attending camps from a young age, and idolizing legends of the game shows my deep passion. This enthusiasm is contagious and can inspire my players to develop a similar love for the sport. Diverse Experience: My diverse work experience in different roles and industries has equipped me with a broad skill set. This versatility allows me to approach coaching from various angles, incorporating different techniques and strategies to benefit your game.

1. Stretching and Warming Up (10 minutes) - Dynamic Stretching: We’ll begin with dynamic stretches to increase blood flow and loosen muscles. Include exercises such as leg swings, arm circles, high knees, and butt kicks. So many people underestimate the importance of stretching and getting your body warmed up prior to playing. It helps prevent injuries and being flexible is important in any sport. - Light Jogging: We’ll follow up with light jogging around the court to elevate heart rate and prepare the body for physical activity. - Basketball-Specific Warm-Up: Incorporate basketball-specific movements such as defensive slides, backpedaling, and jumping jacks. 2. Freestyle Shooting and Fine-Tuning Shooting Skills (20 minutes) - Freestyle Shooting (5 minutes): You’ll take shots from various spots on the court, starting out close to the basket then working your way out, focusing on getting comfortable and finding your rhythm. - Form Shooting (5 minutes): We’ll work on shooting mechanics close to the basket, emphasizing proper hand placement, elbow alignment, and follow-through. - Spot Shooting Drills (10 minutes): Set up cones or markers at key shooting spots (e.g., corners, wings, top of the key) and I’ll have you take a set number of shots from each spot, focusing on consistency and accuracy. 3. Dribbling Skills (15 minutes) - Basic Dribbling Drills (5 minutes): We’ll start this with stationary dribbling drills, including right-hand, left-hand, and crossover dribbles. - Advanced Dribbling Drills (5 minutes): Here we will progress to more complex dribbling drills, such as figure-eight dribbles, behind-the-back, and through-the-legs dribbles. - Cone Drills (5 minutes): I’ll set up cones in a straight line and/or a zigzag pattern and have you dribble through them, focusing on control and speed. 4. One-on-One Play (20 minutes) - Offensive and Defensive Drills (10 minutes): We’ll engage in one-on-one drills where you’ll alternate between offense and defense. Emphasize key offensive moves (e.g., jab steps, pump fakes) and defensive techniques (e.g., staying low, quick feet). - Game Situations (10 minutes): I’ll simulate game-like scenarios where you must react to the defender and make quick decisions. We will focus on improving basketball IQ and decision-making skills. 5. Conditioning Drills (10 minutes) - Quick Sprints: Perform line-drill sprints, running to different lines on the court and back, to build endurance and speed. - Shuttle Runs: I’ll set up cones at various distances and have you run to each cone and back, working on explosive speed and quick direction changes. - Jump Rope: We’ll finish with jump rope drills to improve cardiovascular endurance and foot speed. Cool Down and Stretching (5 minutes) -Static Stretching: We’ll end the session with static stretches to help muscles recover and reduce soreness. We will focus on major muscle groups such as hamstrings, quads, calves, and shoulders. - Breathing Exercises: We will incorporate deep breathing exercises to help relax the body and mind after an intense workout. This session is designed to provide a comprehensive workout that enhances fundamental skills, improves physical conditioning, and sharpens game-play abilities. I will also come up with creative drills from time to time that are different from the typical ones to keep things interesting.