ICYMI: College signings

The Basketball Movement recently hosted some college commitment signings for several of our guys!

In case you missed it, The Basketball Movement was fortunate to hold collegiate signings for a couple of our favorite gym rats. And just today, one more made his commitment known.

We Are United prep’s Javar Daniel and Yanders Law alumni Hogan Smith put pen to paper and fulfilled their dreams, committing to college hoop programs.

Javar Daniel is a 6’10 forward with plenty of athleticism. He is a clear D1 talent headed to Austin Peay to play for former Missouri State assistant and friend of The Basketball Movement, Coach Corey Gipson. Also committed to the Governers are former Yanders Law standouts Anton Brookshire, Jonathan Dunn, and Isaac Haney giving local fans plenty to cheer for in Tennessee.

Hogan Smith, a versatile 6’5 shooter out of Kickapoo High, is staying local, committing to the Drury Panthers. He will join several We Are United alumni: Logan Applegate, Colin Hardrick, and Juok Riak, as well as Yanders Law alum Elijah Whitley. Yanders Law alum, Brady Nicholson, has committed to DU as well. Another fun squad for local fans to keep track of!

Hogan dealt with injuries throughout his young career, making his perseverance to arrive at this point one of the top stories to come out of our programs in a minute.

Congratulations to both of these guys. Congrats also to these college programs that seem to understand precisely the kind of players we turn out here at The Basketball Movement. Dawgs. On-the-court killers. The fighters and leaders that every program needs.

In addition, Awit Mamer of We Are United prep just announced his commitment to DII Augustana University! A 6’3 guard, Awit’s ceiling is staggering. It will be exciting to see the heights his game can reach at this level.

Stay tuned as we keep an eye on our guys, transform more young men and women into pure ballers, and keep the Yanders dream alive.

What is your plan for getting better?

Many of you are still deep in your basketball season, whether in high school, college, or the NBA. So what is your plan once it’s over?

We are in one of our favorite times of the year for basketball (well, if we’re being honest, it’s always our favorite time of the year for basketball). Players are at their busiest because regular seasons are winding down. From upcoming high school district contests to the NBA All-Star break, seasons are plateauing.

Even though players are busy, the best still find time to put in extra reps. Many players coming through our doors this time of year are men and women that have separated themselves from boys and girls. Shout out to those players for coming to work after their teammates have finished practice and gone home. We see you.

We also understand that finding adequate time for these extra reps isn't always possible. Especially at the collegiate level on down, other factors such as school work and family take up your time. Even a few sessions a month with us can make a world of difference, though. Anyway - downtime is coming.

It is a bit early for looking ahead to the offseason, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Whether your team is bounced in the first round or goes all the way, the season will end eventually. Once it’s over, do you have a plan to continue getting better?

Even the top athletes will lose too much ground if they wait until the next season to pick a basketball back up. So don’t lose your edge this offseason. Instead, continue to improve so you can come back stronger, smarter, faster, and more skilled next season. The Basketball Movement wants to help.

Even as a multi-sport athlete, you still must make time to hone your craft. Otherwise, the competition may catch up, eclipse you, or pull further ahead. 

Contact The Basketball Movement to make a plan. We want to work with you to take your game to the next level. Show up to your first practice next season and wow your coaches and teammates. Coaches quickly start forming starting lineups in their heads, schemes, plays, and pecking order; insert yourself into the front of their minds.

Shoot us an email at basketballmovement@yahoo.com, and include a contact number. One of our coaches will be in contact with you or your athlete so we can discuss the ways we can help. Skill development is our bread and butter, but what sets us apart is our conditioning, strength training, basketball IQ enhancement, film study, nutrition, stretching tips, and a wealth of basketball knowledge and expertise.

If you are ready to get serious about getting better,contact The Basketball Movement.

Yanders Law making NCAA waves

Yanders Law Basketball has been on a new level for a few seasons, with alumni continuing to make a splash around NCAA hoops.

The Basketball Movement is affiliated with the Yanders Law AAU basketball program. Rob Yanders established the program in 2010, and it has been steadily elevating in level of play since then.

That elevation recently culminated in some of the best squads in the program’s history. The alums from these squads can be found all around the country. Several recently hit the transfer portal, spreading the Yanders Law footprint further than ever before.

We are incredibly proud of our #LawNation family members that not only choose to pursue college ball but put the work in to make it a reality.

From Trevon Brazile's dunks in Arkansas to Ty Appleby shredding opponents at Wake Forest, our players have been popping up regularly on social media.

When possible, Yanders Law, The Basketball Movement, and Rob Yanders himself share these moments on our social media pages. So be sure to follow along to see what these hometown kids are doing on a more national stage.

As we said, our pride cannot be overstated. The Yanders Law alumni currently playing college ball not only have incredible work ethics but are also of high character.

Our programs cannot exist without players like these. Follow along with us and continue showing the support that has helped them achieve their hoop dreams!

We Are United Signings

The Basketball Movement is taking you behind the scenes for a few of our recent We Are United signings.

Rob Yanders and The Basketball Movement have been fortunate to see many players progress from young hoopers to collegiate athletes. We recently highlighted some of our shared accomplishments with NCAA basketball getting underway across the country.

Even though We Are United is a young program, it has already produced collegiate talent and is continuing to do so as well.

This year’s We Are United prep squad already has several players committed to playing for their future programs. The Basketball Movement took fans inside the process of inking those commitments to make them permanent.

Check out some of the behind-the-scenes footage:

Coach Rob and his organizations are exceedingly proud of these young men for finalizing essential steps in continuing their education and playing careers.

The best part about it all? This is only the beginning. Follow along with We Are United as more players receive offers and elevate themselves on and off the court.

Pro-level workouts

The Basketball Movement offers pro-level workouts for men and women that are aiming for the top.

At The Basketball Movement, we go through skill workouts, clinics, and camps with athletes of almost all ages. Some of our favorites, and some that we are best-equipped for, are pro-level workouts with men and women with professional aspirations.

Even if you are already a professional hooper, we have proven over and over that The Basketball Movement can elevate even the most elite athletes. Whether you are a junior or senior in high school, college player, overseas or domestic pro, we can help you get to your personal next level.

(Peep the video below to see what a professional jump shot looks like with Toshua Leavitt)

With the NBA draft concluding and all eyes on the upcoming season, we will soon see several pros in action that can all attest to what The Basketball Movement can provide.

For many other players that are not able to join the pro ranks, now is the time to elevate. Robert Yanders is a former pro and specialist in this area. There are few trainers that can match Yanders’ intensity, experience, and knowledge of the game.

For all pro players and agents (or anyone interested in training at the highest level), reach out to us at basketballmovement@yahoo.com to get with Yanders and his staff. We can accommodate difficult schedules and assist in making arrangements for those that need to travel.

Everything Yanders does is centered around the fundamentals of the game, but the speed, intensity, and purpose of his drills are what sets him apart from other trainers.

“Rob’s a great guy. He genuinely knows what he’s doing and exactly what he’s talking about. He has been a great mentor for me because of his experience and that he doesn’t sugar coat anything; he tells it like it is.”
— Alize Johnson, Indiana Pacers

Check out our social sites; they provide media that offers a window into what these workouts look like. Every hooper has a limit, and we will find yours and push it. The Basketball Movement is designed based on professional facilities. We are equipped to help you get that work, but can also assist in cooldown. The facility features a film study room as well that allows us to teach some of the most undervalued skills in the game.

If you are a pro or want to be a pro, come see us. We are the top training facility in the Midwest for the best players to come to if they are not satisfied just being elite. Do you want to be great? We want to help.

NCAA - Men and women's rankings

College hoops are officially underway, meaning the rankings and comparisons have begun.

You likely know by know how we feel about rankings. No matter the algorithms to determine the strength of schedule, no ranking list holds up for long. The eye test remains as valid as anything else, though it is filtered through biases and knowledge of the sport. So can any ranking list truly be trusted in the sports world? No. Do sports fans, including ourselves, still appreciate a good ranking list? Of course.

There is nothing quite like a healthy hoops discussion to decide who is the best of the best. So we indulge in rankings ourselves, whether local prep players or the teams on the biggest stage in the NBA.

Below are the rankings as of December 6th for men’s NCAA hoops per ESPN. Check for yourself to see if they got it right and draw your own conclusions! (First-place votes in parenthesis)

Can Purdue keep up the good work? Will Memphis continue to implode, keeping them off this list all year? There is still plenty of basketball left to be played, and we are excited to find out all of the answers.

On the women’s side, also as of Dec. 6th, ESPN rightly has the 9-0 South Carolina Gamecocks at number one.

NC State, UConn, Louisville, Tennessee, Baylor, Arizona, Stanford, Texas, and Maryland round out the top ten.

UConn superstar Paige Buekers was injured this week and will miss 6-8 weeks. The Huskies will be hard-pressed to keep their March Madness hopes alive without the most electric player in women’s college hoops.

There is quite a bit of overlap on the top 25 lists between men's and women’s squads so far. The most notable case is Baylor, with the number two men’s team and number six women’s. It will be interesting to see which basketball powerhouse schools remain near the top of both lists.

Stay tuned for more NCAA news as well as a little bit of everything else from the world of hoops!

Spotlight: Trevor Keels and Jeremy Roach

From the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions to playing meaningful minutes for an undefeated Duke squad, Keels and Roach are on the come-up.

Once a year, Southwest Missouri hosts the most heavily-attended high school basketball tournament in the country. The Bass Pro Tournament of Champions hosts some of the top squads from around the nation as well as local standouts. The Basketball Movement is always honored to cover the event, which also means getting to watch and assess the bright young stars.

A few standouts from Paul VI (Va.), Trevor Keels and Jeremy Roach have been able to translate their time in high school to playing big-time minutes for one of the most prominent D1 programs in the nation.

At Duke, Roach (6’2 sophomore guard) and Keels (6’5 freshman guard) are getting to experience legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski in what he has announced to be his final season. The young players are undoubtedly winning the coach’s favor, with strong play through Duke’s first four games.

Keels has games of 10, 18, and most impressively, 25 points against rival Kentucky. Roach now plenty removed from an ACL injury, has games with 10, 14, and 14 while chipping in with assists and excellent rebounding for his size.

Duke is a perennial contender and is looking to have a bounce-back season after uncharacteristically missing the Big Dance last season.

Jeremy Roach and Trevor Keels are looking like big pieces of the puzzle for Duke, and we are excited to see what these young men can do.

For more spotlights, NCAA news, and more, keep it locked to The Basketball Movement.

College hoops on the horizon

The Basketball Movement is looking ahead to the 2021-22 college basketball season.

College basketball is nearly back, this time in full force following a strange, pandemic-altered season. The NCAA kicks off November 9th with the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden featuring Duke vs. Kentucky and Kansas vs. Michigan State.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has announced that this will be his final season, and the Blue Devils are hoping to send him out with a bang. Kentucky will be on a mission to end its Final Four drought as well.

As for rankings, Gonzaga has remained on top essentially since the end of last season. They are bringing back an impressive squad in addition to the number one recruit, Chet Holmgren. The defending champs, the Baylor Bears, did not retain as much talent and are expected to drop off a bit.

Below are ESPN’s rankings as of October 11:

  1. Gonzaga Bulldogs

  2. Kansas Jayhawks

  3. UCLA Bruins

  4. Villanova Wildcats

  5. Texas Longhorns

  6. Purdue Boilermakers

  7. Memphis Tigers

  8. Michigan Wolverines

  9. Kentucky Wildcats

  10. Baylor Bears

  11. Duke Blue Devils

  12. Oregon Ducks

  13. Illinois Fighting Illini

  14. Arkansas Razorbacks

  15. Houston Cougars

  16. Alabama Crimson Tide

  17. North Carolina Tar Heels

  18. Tennessee Volunteers

  19. Ohio State Buckeyes

  20. Maryland Terrapins

  21. Florida State Seminoles

  22. Auburn Tigers

  23. UConn Huskies

  24. St. Bonaventure Bonnies

  25. Virginia Cavaliers

As you can see, many familiar names are on the list to begin regular season play. Houston has finally proven to the big media outlets that they are here to stay and the mention of St. Bonaventure is good to see as well. Arkansas and Alabama forging their way into these rankings are interesting too with both schools historically only gaining football attention.

Memphis is viewed as a top 10 team but still will have plenty to prove. They certainly have the talent to do it, now sporting touted recruits, Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren.

Of course, we have our personal favorites as Yanders Law alumni and other friends of The Basketball Movement are scattered on men’s and women’s teams all over the country. Right here in Missouri, we have two players on Mizzou and two for Missouri State that we will be watching excitedly.

Good luck to the young men and women everywhere as another exciting college basketball season nears tipoff. Keep checking back here for news and updates on NCAA hoops as well as everything else from prep to pro.

Avery Arnold college commitment

Avery Arnold of Yanders Law and Blue Eye high school has committed to Lyon College.

A staple of NAIA women’s hoops, Lyon College has landed a tremendous basketball player in Avery Arnold. As she wraps up her time at Blue Eye high school, Arnold has decided to lock in her future as a college hooper in a town only three or so hours away.

Arnold is a Yanders Law alumni who left her mark as a capable scorer and facilitator, but mainly as a lockdown defender. Avery says she knows she can make an impact right away at that end of the floor.

“I will always be the hardest worker,” Arnold says. “Not only on offense, but on defense as well - that is where I excel the most. That winds up playing into my offense too.”

The coaches at Lyon College mentioned that they would like to see her spending time running point. “Point guard would be a new role for me, so that would be different,” Arnold says. “I’ve never been a point guard, but that challenge is what I am looking forward to the most.”

Asked about her decision to commit, Avery points out the excellent tradition, especially over the last ten years or so. She said she liked the coaches and the atmosphere.

College hoops are plenty different from high school, but Avery said her time at The Basketball Movement and playing for Yanders Law should make a big difference. “Rob has helped me a lot, and Craig,” Arnold says. “They would do anything for me despite my busy schedule. They have given me a lot to help me succeed.”

Avery would like to extend a thank you to the whole program. “Rob is so busy, but he took a whole season to coach us,” Arnold says. “Craig too; they traveled with us and took their families… They have devoted their lives to basketball, and I want to thank them for everything.”

Wherever Avery was going to wind up, she was going to have numerous fans at The Basketball Movement. Not to mention a whole Yanders Law family that has her back. She does not need luck, but we wish it anyway as she begins her exciting next chapter!

NCAA rule changes - NIL

In one of the most impactful changes to college sports in history, the NCAA has announced that athletes may now profit from their NIL.

NIL or name, image, and likeness, rule changes in the NCAA mean that athletes may finally begin earning money from their personal brand, sponsorship, and deals. This step has been multiple years in the making, with only a handful of states coming around to the idea in recent years.

The new rules are still intentionally ambiguous. The NCAA is leaving things open to interpretation in the coming weeks. Hopefully, more details and a more straightforward blanket set of guidelines are in the pipeline as athletes enter this uncharted territory. Congress is expected to step in and assist with uniform guidelines as the national scale of these changes brings widespread implications.

Several athletes have already begun announcing brand partnerships as the ruling took effect at the start of July. Many previously prominent college athletes such as JJ Redick, Johnny Manziel, and Joe Burrow have commented about what they missed out on, but also their satisfaction that change is taking place at last.

It is an exciting time for NCAA athletes across all sports. As the players help their respective schools and teams succeed, they will now also have the opportunity to grow their personal brands and make money that they rightly deserve.

Will we see college basketball superstars sporting signature shoes from big brands during March Madness? Will NCAA video games come back in a big way? The breadth of the changes may be unclear, but change is here nonetheless.

The Basketball Movement will continue monitoring the changes and updates and passing along the info right here. Stay tuned as we keep the breakdowns coming on the NBA Finals and USA hoops down through local updates and player movement. See you again soon!

Jonathan Dunn receives offer from Texas Tech

We Are United and Yanders Law standout Jonathan Dunn has received an offer to play at Texas Tech University.

Whether at Logan-Rogersville high or with his Yanders Law AAU squad, Jonathan Dunn has been putting players, coaches, and scouts on notice. With offers from Mizzou and Radford and interest from Purdue, Marquette, South Dakota, and K-State, Dunn now has another big one on the table.

Dunn has now received an offer to play for Texas Tech, and his hard work is paying off in major ways. Now wanted in the Big-12 and SEC, the scramble to sign Dunn is in full swing.

Committed to Robert Yanders’ We Are United prep this fall, Dunn has the opportunity to advance his impressive game even further.

In our recent article on Yanders Law standouts, The Basketball Movement had this to say about Jonathan Dunn:

“Always a threat to bully players inside, Dunn has recently seen his perimeter game takeoff as well. For his muscular frame, he has no issue keeping up with 2s and 3s on the perimeter, and he is evolving into a 3-and-D guy in addition to his rebounding and attacking style. One of the best rim-runners in the Midwest, he has developed the ability to put the ball on the deck and is an ever-evolving threat.

With a motor that just does not stop, Dunn has earned high praise from coach Robert Yanders. “J Dunn is a dawg,” Yanders says. “He has displayed so much growth on both ends of the floor.”

Congratulations on the offer, JD. This is yet another impressive achievement and testament to the work you have put in, but this is not ever yet. Stay tuned to The Basketball Movement for more on our guys!

Kanon Gipson receives D1 offer

We Are United and Yanders Law point guard Kanon Gipson has received a D1 offer from UW Milwaukee.

A rock-solid 6’3 point guard, Kanon Gipson’s stock is on the rise as he continues to impress with his AAU squad, Yanders Law. Gipson wrapped up an impressive senior season at Logan Rogersville before committing to We Are United Prep this fall.

This offer from Coach Patrick Baldwin and UW Milwaukee marks the first D1 offer for Gipson. He has also received interest from UC Santa Barbara and Santa Clara.

Following an impressive stretch with Yanders Law this spring, we recently said this in our 2021 Yanders Law standouts (17u) article:

“Like another notable Santa Clara guard, Kanon Gipson is 6’3, crafty, and has a knack for winning. As steady as they come, Gipson has done a great job leading the club this spring and has drawn praise from coach Rob Yanders.

“Kanon has played against high-level guards all spring and has held his own on both ends of the floor,” Yanders says. “Three-star guys like Jaden Schutt and Sean Jones - Kanon defeated them. He isn’t flashy, but he consistently just gets the job done.””

Gipson is improving daily and is primed to turn heads this fall at Robert Yanders new post-grad school, We Are United. For more on Yanders Law standouts, We Are United, and all things hoops, stay locked to The Basketball Movement.

Tracking interest, offers, and commitments

In what has likely been the strangest recruiting and scouting year ever, The Basketball Movement is keeping you up-to-speed on our athletes.

Different athletes naturally have different goals, all of which are respected at The Basketball Movement. Some young players just want to get a feel for the game, some may want to crack the varsity squad, and others may have dreams of going pro. While we work with players from every stage of the game, we have recently been fortunate to be a part of a large wave of high school players committing to play NCAA basketball.

Every player is responsible for their own destiny, so work with The Basketball Movement will only take individuals as far as they will let it. We are confident in saying that we know what it takes to help any player reach their next level if they let us.

Recently, many athletes that work with The Basketball Movement (most of which also participate in Yanders Law AAU basketball) have received offers to play Division 1 hoops. Some have already accepted those offers, and others are still deciding as they continue to elevate their level of play.

We track offers and commitments of our players on our social media platforms, so make sure that you are following The Basketball Movement.

Despite a challenging year for scouting and recruitment, this has been the strongest crop of young local talent in recent memory. Some players are choosing to reclassify and wait for more exposure as they continue to develop. Many of those players have committed to attending the new prep school, We Are United, this fall (more on that later).

For any parents or players - let us know if we are missing anything also. If you frequent The Basketball Movement or are part of #LawNation, DM us or shoot an email to basketballmovement@yahoo.com to tell us about any recruiting news you think we should know about.

In addition to news about recruitment, The Basketball Movement has been pumping out player highlights, news, and more on our social media sites. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook as we monitor all of the movement!

NCAA March Madness: Final Four preview

After taking a year off, March Madness is back in a big way and we are already down to the Final Four.

The 2021 NCAA March Madness tournament has been different this year, all taking place in or around Indianapolis. The national pandemic has reared its ugly head a few times, but overall, things have gone smoothly. About any way you slice it, this has still been an incredible stretch of hoops.

One of March Madness's most exciting aspects is getting to watch underdogs go out and prove themselves against the best teams. The upsets started early and no brackets escaped unscathed.

UCLA is no stranger to March Madness, but they are playing the part of the underdog this season. Starting their tournament having to win one of the “First Four” games, UCLA (11-seed) is a talented squad that has battle the whole way.

On the other side, Houston is a more unfamiliar program than the others that remain. To the casual observer, they would be big underdogs as well. Houston is a 2-seed for a reason. Their consistency and defensive aggression have put pressure on all levels of opponents this season and have led to a 28 and 3 record.

Unfortunately for both of the above squads, for all of their success, the trials are far from over.

Awaiting Houston is Baylor (1-seed), who looks as strong now as they have all year. For most of the NCAA season, if you had to pick the two teams most likely to make the finals it would be Baylor and… the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Gonzaga (1-seed) was the overall favorite heading into March Madness and they have done absolutely nothing to cast doubt on that expectation.

Having rolled through each of their opponents to this point, Gonzaga just needs to continue to play within themselves and not get overconfident, even though it feels a bit like a Baylor-Gonzaga championship has been in the making all year.

This is still March Madness and we have seen a few wild happenings in the big dance. Nothing is set in stone and Houston’s consistency or UCLA’s underrated talent and scrappy defense could still win the day.

Houston and Baylor tip-off Saturday (4/3) at 4:14 pm CT (don’t ask us why) on CBS.

UCLA and Gonzaga go head-to-head right after at 7:34 pm CT on CBS.

Women’s Final Four

The table is set for the lady’s Final Four as well with three 1-seeds advancing and some unsurprising programs hoping to build on their already impressive histories.

UConn (1-seed) plays Arizona (3-seed) Friday (4/2) at 8:30 pm on ESPN. With a coaching staff that has been here time and time again and the AP Player of the Year, freshman Paige Bueckers, the Huskies suddenly find themselves as national title favorites once more. Arizona must find a way to rattle Bueckers or they may need to keep the bus running.

South Carolina (1-seed) and Stanford (1-seed) face off Friday (4/2) at 5:00 pm. This will be an epic showdown between teams that have been powerhouses again this year. Stanford was the team that finally put an end to Missouri State’s great season and will likely be favorited in this one. Their talent and size will be tough to overcome, though the Gamecocks defense is elite. It will be a great battle.

Stay tuned to The Basketball Movement as we follow the action and keep you up to speed. Your bracket may look ugly, but there is plenty of beautiful basketball on deck.

NCAA March Madness: First round recap

The first round of the men’s 2021 NCAA Tournament has concluded and the madness is certainly underway.

Dominant performances, upsets, Cinderella stories, drama, and hungry young hoopers; this is why we watch and this is what we are being treated to already. The men’s 2021 NCAA March Madness Tournament is underway and the first round did not disappoint.

Part of the “madness” is due to the sheer number of contests being played, especially in the early rounds. That is certainly part of the fun. The other part comes from dramatic finishes and surprising upsets - we got those too. In fact, this is the first time that four teams seeded 13th or worse are moving on to play in the Round of 32.

In 2018, Virginia became the first 1-seed to lose in the first round, dropping their game to UMBC. This year was not that bad, though the 4-seed Cavaliers did make an early exit with a loss to 13-seed Ohio.

A bigger upset came in the form of Abilene Christian (14-seed) toppling a Texas team (3-seed) that was supposed to lead the Longhorns back to basketball prominence. Instead, it will be North Texas representing the Lone Star State as a 13-seed taking down Purdue (4-seed). (Okay, Texas Tech is also moving on, but we are trying to get in on the drama as well)

The largest upset seeding-wise was 15-seed Oral Roberts knocking off 2-seed Ohio State. Oral Roberts will play Florida and Yanders Law alum, Tyree Applebee tonight at 6:45 pm central time. A few other smaller upsets were sprinkled in for good measure: Rutgers over Clemson, Syracuse over San Diego State, Oregon State over Tennessee, Wisconsin over North Carolina, and Maryland over UConn.

Mizzou lost a heartbreaker to Oklahoma by four and Creighton narrowly escaped a loss to UCSB by one point. Gonzaga remains undefeated and still has the looks of the team to beat in this year’s tourney. Really, all the 1-seeds still look very strong with Iowa (2-seed) and Kansas (3-seed) also playing nice ball.

Oregon moves on to the Round of 32 due to unfortunate circumstances, as VCU had to forfeit due to issues with COVID-19. Tough way to go out for those guys.

That should have you caught up through the first round! Don’t blink, as the Round of 32 starts today. The women’s tourney kicks off as well, so keep an eye out as we update you on both. Keep checking back here as we keep up with the movement!

NCAA: March Madness 2021

After taking a year off due to the pandemic, March Madness is back in 2021.

The 2021 tournament brackets are set for the NCAA’s big dance. March was mad last year for very different reasons than we are used to, but things are on track for a (mostly) normal NCAA tournament this season. The “First Four” games tipoff this Thursday, March 18th.

Multiple men and women’s teams have had to withdraw from conference tournaments due to health concerns including the Missouri State Lady Bears, who are all but a lock to make the tournament and want to keep it that way. Notably, Kansas and Virginia are having COVID issues in the men’s bracket.

Four teams: Louisville, Colorado State, St. Louis, and Mississippi did not make the cut but are on standby, ready to fill in and ensure the bracket starts with a full 68 teams. Any team that must miss essentially forfeits and their opponents move on.

Kansas and/or Virginia missing having to withdraw could have big implications for overall number one seeded Gonzaga, who looms in their same bracket. Gonzaga is a flawless 26-0 heading into the tournament. The other 1-seeds are; Baylor (22-2), Michigan (20-4), and Illinois (23-6).

This also marks the first year since 1976 that neither Duke nor Kentucky made the tournament. Hello, fresh faces.

Beginning March 18th and concluding on April 5th, March Madness is always one of the best stretches of the year for hoops fans and we at The Basketball Movement are excited to have it back. Games will be televised on TBS, CBS, TNT, and truTV. Click the below link to see the full, printable bracket:

Check out the 2021 NCAA March Madness bracket here

Good luck to all the athletes participating (especially those we have had the pleasure of working with)! Basketball is close to a full recovery from a tough year or so. Keep checking back with The Basketball Movement blog as we break down the action round-by-round. Remember to follow us on Twitter for updates as well. Let the games begin!

NCAA: Year-end update

As 2020 comes to a close, The Basketball Movement gives a quick rundown of the state of NCAA hoops.

College basketball is in full swing, despite a year of uncertainty amidst the national COVID-19 pandemic. Conferences and teams set out on the paths they deemed best and, for the most part, things have been sailing fairly smoothly to this point.

Top teams around the country have started testing their mettle against one another, so we are able to draw some early conclusions. Meaningful games mean standings and rankings are popping up. Below is the AP rankings for men’s hoops as of December 8th:

1. Gonzaga
2. Baylor
3. Kansas
4. Villanova
5. Houston
6. Wisconsin
7. Tennessee
8. Texas
9. West Virginia
10. Iowa
11. Creighton
12. Missouri
13. Texas Tech
14. Rutgers
15. Illinois
16. Michigan
17. Michigan State
18. Florida State
19. Northwestern
20. Duke
21. Oregon
22. Minnesota
23. Virginia
24. Virginia Tech
25. Ohio State

Gonzaga is the runaway leader so far. Baylor is the only team other than the Bulldogs to have garnered any first-place votes from the Associated Press. It is early, but to have such a clear standout at any point in the NCAA season is a bit unusual. They have easily handled some great squads so far this season and will remain an interesting team to watch for the remainder.

The Big 10 boasts nine teams in the top 25, which is wild as well. While that number is staggering, the Big 12’s five teams on the poll may represent the most impressive collection of talent with Baylor, Kansas, Texas, West Virginia, and Texas Tech all in the top 13.

Missouri is not going anywhere, hanging just outside the top ten while their SEC rival, Tennessee sits at seven. Duke is currently number 20, while North Carolina has been removed following a loss to NC State.

NCAAW

In women’s college hoops, the top headline recently was Duke canceling their season. These are strange times and it will be interesting to see if any other schools follow suit.

The top five teams early are Stanford, Louisville, NC State, UCONN, and South Carolina. So, no real surprises early. Several conferences have yet to begin interconference play, so expect full rankings soon. The Pac-12 has started and is looking strong with Arizona and Oregon joining Stanford in the top 10, with UCLA knocking on the door.

The Missouri State Lady Bears are currently ranked number 24 and will start their conference play early in 2021.

That is as brief as we can keep an update about a nation’s worth of college hoops! Keep checking back for updates on the NCAA, professional ball, local stuff, and all the basketball movement around the world.

Stamp of Approval - Isaac Haney

We are back with another The Basketball Movement Stamp of Approval, this time for Isaac Haney.

For only being a senior at Kickapoo High, Isaac Haney has been tearing up basketball courts for a long time already. His fierce determination to win, willingness to work on his game, and on-and-off court tenacity have earned him The Basketball Movement Stamp of Approval from Rob Yanders.

The former Missouri Class 1 Player of the Year at Dora, Haney is now at class 5 Kickapoo and proving that he belongs. Anyone that has seen him in action, with Yanders Law or otherwise, is not surprised. Now, Haney has officially signed on to become a Missouri State Bear.

“It feels really great,” Haney tells The Basketball Movement about becoming a Bear. “A lot of my life has gone into the game of basketball. I’ve had a lot of people in my life behind me - helping and supporting. I don’t think that it’s the end, it’s definitely far from the end for me, but it did feel like 15 years of my life coming to a point where I could look back and be thankful.”

Asked about what made him gravitate towards MSU hoops, Isaac says that being close allowed him to watch them and get a feel for their style of play. “The location is great for me with my parents living in Springfield now and the rest of my family in West Plains,” Haney says. “Also something I was looking into studying was business - Missouri State has an amazing business department.”

“I’ve been talking with Coach Rob (Yanders) about what the college basketball atmosphere is like and I can see how some of my workouts with him have changed,” Haney says. “He has done an excellent job of preparing me for the transition of that little kid stage of high school basketball to what I have to do to be effective at the next level.”

When asked what will make him a valuable player for MSU, Isaac said that he believed confidence translates to any level of the game of basketball. “Anytime that you have a kid that can step on the floor and bring a calm and confidence to the team that you can win anytime you’re on the floor, I feel like I can translate that anywhere I am.”

“Also, I’ve won at any level I’ve been at,” Haney continues. “Just competing and bringing a competitive edge as soon as I step in the doors is something that I’ll bring to the team.”

That competitive edge is what Isaac considers to be his biggest takeaway from his time at The Basketball Movement. “I found my competitive edge here,” Haney says. “I can attribute a couple of my workouts when I was younger, working out with Anton (Brookshire), we had some competitive workouts - something that tuned my mindset, conversations with Rob that have tuned my mindset, figuring out what it takes to be mentally tough to the point of having a mental edge over other players.”

“I think The Basketball Movement has prepared my mentality just as much as it has prepared my physical basketball game.”

To Coach Rob Yanders and The Basketball Movement trainers, Haney had one simple thing to say: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” He says that Coach Rob likely does not even realize how much of his confidence stems from the work and belief he put into him.

“All the other guys here that may go unnoticed, even guys that have moved on,” Haney continued. “The coaches here bring the energy every single day. Anytime you came in here and maybe didn’t feel like going hard, they made sure that you did. I can honestly say that even if I wanted to cheat myself, the coaches here made sure that I didn’t.”

From the other side, we at The Basketball Movement can confidently say that Isaac Haney would not have cheated himself with or without us watching. He is a tireless worker and someone you certainly want on your side from the opening tip. That is why he has earned our Stamp of Approval.

Good luck to Isaac as he finishes his senior season and eyes new beginnings playing D1 hoops for Missouri State University. We are fortunate to have our name attached to you on your journey.

Stamped.

Approved.

Stamp of Approval - Anton Brookshire

Robert Yanders gives The Basketball Movement Stamp of Approval to Mizzou signee, Anton Brookshire.

The Basketball Movement Stamp of Approval signifies that a player has been tested and proven at our facility and is ready for the next level, whatever that may be for them. For Kickapoo High senior and Yanders Law alumni Anton Brookshire, that means D1 hoops at the University of Missouri.

Brookshire earned his Stamp of Approval with his relentless work ethic over many years, as well as his proven commitment to striving for greatness. The Basketball Movement Writer, Wil Harrington caught up with Brookshire in the midst of a busy senior season.

When asked about officially signing with Mizzou, Brookshire said that it meant a lot for multiple reasons. “Inking with Mizzou meant a lot because I always wanted to go to college first off,” Brookshire says. “Signing with a school that’s in the SEC but also close to home is a big deal to me. Just being able to be close and have family go to games, maintaining my support system; it’s a blessing.”

“The coaching staff there, the facility, everything about it, I fell in love with”

Asked how confident he was about being ready for D1 hoops, Anton’s response was not surprising. “I’m very confident actually,” Brookshire says. “I still have stuff I can work on, but I am super ready to go and have prepared a lot.”

Brookshire will not be headed to Columbia alone as fellow Yanders Law and Kickapoo teammate, Trevon Brazile has signed with the Tigers as well. “It means a lot,” Brookshire says. “Trevon’s a great guy and he works hard. Knowing that he’ll be going to the next level with me is good news.”

Having been around The Basketball Movement since fifth grade, Anton had plenty to say about how the facility and trainers have contributed to his dream of playing college hoops and beyond. “The Basketball Movement has helped me a lot as far as my skill development, gaining publicity, and being around great guys and in a great atmosphere,” Brookshire says.

“The coaching staff is great,” Brookshire continues. “I give them a lot of credit and I appreciate them. Those guys help me and always tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear. As far as my Uncle Rob (Yanders), I appreciate him for developing me into the man I am today. Also for just pushing me to be the best I can be.”

The Basketball Movement Stamp of Approval means that Anton is certified not only as a relentlessly hard worker on the court but also as someone who displays our values off the court. His dedication to his craft will undoubtedly serve him well at Mizzou. As he continues his trajectory, it will likely serve him well in the pros as well.

Stamped.

Approved.

Pro-level workouts

The Basketball Movement offers pro-level workouts for men and women that are aiming for the top.

At The Basketball Movement, we go through skill workouts, clinics, and camps with athletes of almost all ages. Some of our favorites, and some that we are best-equipped for, are pro-level workouts with men and women with professional aspirations.

Even if you are already a professional hooper, we have proven over and over that The Basketball Movement can elevate even the most elite athletes. Whether you are a junior or senior in high school, college player, overseas or domestic pro, we can help you get to your personal next level.

(Peep the video below to see what a professional jump shot looks like with Toshua Leavitt)

With the NBA returning with all teams arriving in the Orlando “bubble,” we will finally get to see a return to action for guys like Monte Morris, Alize Johnson, Deonte Burton, and Anthony Tolliver that can all attest to what The Basketball Movement can provide.

For many other players that are not able to resume game action, now is the time to elevate. Robert Yanders is a former pro and specialist in this area. There are few trainers that can match Yanders’ intensity, experience, and knowledge of the game.

For all pro players and agents (or anyone interested in training at the highest level), reach out to us at basketballmovement@yahoo.com to get with Yanders and his staff. We can accommodate difficult schedules and assist in making arrangements for those that need to travel.

Everything Yanders does is centered around the fundamentals of the game, but the speed, intensity, and purpose of his drills are what sets him apart from other trainers.

“Rob’s a great guy. He genuinely knows what he’s doing and exactly what he’s talking about. He has been a great mentor for me because of his experience and that he doesn’t sugar coat anything; he tells it like it is.”
— Alize Johnson, Indiana Pacers

Check out our social sites; they provide media that offers a window into what these workouts look like. Every hooper has a limit, and we will find yours and push it. The Basketball Movement is designed based on professional facilities. We are equipped to help you get that work, but can also assist in cooldown. The facility features a film study room as well that allows us to teach some of the most undervalued skills in the game.

If you are a pro or want to be a pro, come see us. We are the top training facility in the Midwest for the best players to come to if they are not satisfied just being elite. Do you want to be great? We want to help.