One-on-One with Lyla, Ella, Ruthie, and Riley

The Basketball Movement catches up with some of our favorite ladies following the conclusion of their high school seasons.

The Basketball Movement’s affiliate AAU program, Yanders Law has helped some of the area’s finest hoopers elevate their game beyond what the competition of Southwest Missouri may otherwise allow. Playing for Yanders Law and working out right here at The Basketball Movement allows for bonds to be built and a competitive edge to be sharpened.

We caught up with a few girls that have been staples of the Yanders Law program as well as gym rats of The Basketball Movement to see how things are going with school ball in the rear-view for a while.

Lyla Watson, Ozark (Jr.)

With her junior season at Ozark completed, Lyla Watson is ready for the next chapter. “It wasn’t the best season,” Watson says. “ I had some mental battles for sure, but I overcame them by the end. I am really ready for summer ball and then my senior season.”

Asked what she will be focusing on this offseason, Lyla says that she wants to focus on being more than a shooter. “I need to focus on a drive-first mentality and work on aggression,” Watson says. “I know that I can shoot the ball, but I need to keep focusing on all aspects. I am strong and I need to take advantage of that.”

Lyla is “extremely confident” in her shot, but her drive on the defensive end is what can turn the tides of a game even when shots are not falling. “I love the satisfaction of locking someone up,” Watson says. “Stuff like forcing five-second calls - it motivates me. That is what fuels my offense.”

Her time with Yanders Law and The Basketball Movement has transcended beyond hoops. In Lyla’s eyes, it is all like family.

“They have given me confidence and hope,” Watson says. “They have seen me and believed in me all along. It is so much more than a gym. I’ve learned how to work hard here and never give up. I couldn’t even shoot a right-handed layup when I started - they get credit for everything.”

From winning the Nike Tournament of Champions in Chicago to teaching Coach Rob the newest dance moves, Lyla’s time with us has definitely been mutually beneficial and we are so excited to see where she goes from here.

Ella Lippelman, Springfield Catholic (Sr.)

Having finished what she considers her best team and individual season, Ella Lippelman has wrapped up a great high school career. However - she is not finished yet.

Ella committed to continuing her academic and athletic career at Colorado College last August and is ready for the next step. In fact, she was in our gym the day after her season ended. “It is a weird feeling,” Lippelman says of her high school career being over. “The other girls (at The Basketball Movement) still have another year. I’m excited for what’s to come.”

When asked why she selected Colorado College, she pointed out that the school and the program checked all of her boxes. “For me, it has everything I’ve wanted,” Lippelman says. “Academics is so important and it is one of the top liberal arts schools. The coaches are nice and supportive and honestly remind me of Rob (Yanders) and The Basketball Movement. I wanted to feel supported and invested in.”

A part of Yanders Law since 6th grade, Ella has had the chance to be around coaches and trainers that set great examples. “They really care and that makes them different,” Lippelman says. “They will push you every single time until you can’t move - slacking off is not allowed. I wasn’t very good when I started, but here I have improved every area of my game.”

“Practices prepare you for game situations. Basketball IQ has been one of my biggest takeaways. Beyond that, they are as awesome at being there for you as a person as a player. If I ever needed anything, I know they’d be there.”

As she ramps up lifting and prepares her conditioning for playing at a higher altitude, Ella is not done with The Basketball Movement. She will remain a regular through school and be here most mornings over the summer in preparation. When she finds time though, Rob and Craig are going to need those Colorado College T-shirts.

Ruthie Brown, Clever (Jr.)

Having wrapped up her junior season with Clever, Ruthie Brown says that he feels that she still has unfinished business. “It was a bit of a rough season,” Brown says. “I’ll definitely be making up for that next year and working extra hard this summer.”

Brown is already focusing on what she needs to work on to put her team in a better position next year. She will get plenty of opportunities to do so while playing AAU ball with Yanders Law this summer. “I’m going to focus on being more aggressive,” Brown says." “Playing at a higher tempo and getting stronger inside.”

Ruthie has been a member of #LawNation since about 5th grade and says she has come a long way personally in addition to her improvement on the court. “When I started, I didn’t really talk to anyone, didn’t know how to play,” Brown recalls. “Yanders Law and The Basketball Movement have completely built up my confidence and transformed my play. It’s like a family.”

Also a member of the team that won the national Nike Tournament of Champions, Ruthie is has been a cornerstone of the Yanders Law program over the years. Playing with many of the same girls for a long time, dinners and experiences on road trips, competing, and winning are all a part of what has made her time with the program special.

Already equipped with the needed work ethic, we are pleased to have been able to provide the tools to help Ruthie along her journey. She is a highly versatile player and absolutely has what it takes to help a team at the next level.

Riley Arnold, Blue Eye (Jr.)

Coming off of a third-place finish in Missouri Class 2, Riley Arnold and her Blue Eye teammates are feeling good. Not many teams get to end their season on a win. It wasn’t first though, and Arnold will be back again next season. “With the tie for third the last year, this means we’ve done it back-to-back,” Arnold says. “We will hopefully be back again next year.”

To make that happen, Riley will be spending the offseason working on everything that goes into being a floor general. “I’ll be focusing on continuing to improve my ball-handling and point guard skills,” Arnold says. “All of that will improve getting to play with Yanders Law as well.”

“(Yanders Law) is a really hard-working club,” Arnold says. “It has taught me a lot about basketball and life honestly. Always being pushed hard has helped me to develop my skills. Every workout I’ve been through here has been challenging and I’m always ready for the next.”

Riley is also active in cross country, track, and volleyball. Whatever path she chooses to pursue, coaches should know that she works hard, is aggressive, always fights to win, and has leadership qualities that are not easily taught.

One-on-One with Yazoo Motif

The Basketball Movement has been collaborating with photographer and visual art mastermind, Yazoo Motif.

Robert Baker (better known by his artist name, Yazoo Motif) is a man on a mission - using his cameras to capture the versions of others that they most want to see. Always improving, always wanting to make his family proud, Yazoo is simply creating masterpieces whether it is at The Basketball Movement or in NBA arenas.

Originally from Yazoo City, Mississippi (yes, obviously that is where his moniker comes from), “Zoo” has been moving around for much of his life. “I moved to Atlanta when I was 12,” Yazoo recalls. “From there it was Lexington, Kentucky, where things sort of took off.”

Kentucky is where Yazoo linked up with friends of Kentucky Wildcats center, Willie Cauley-Stein, who now plays in the NBA for the Dallas Mavericks. Yazoo, Cauley-Stein, and videographer/editor “iburks” became a tight crew, working together to propel themselves to the top levels of their respective crafts. Check their hashtag #SHIFTeverything on Instagram to see all the collabs between the three.

Willie Cauley-Stein started his NBA career in Sacramento in 2015, taking his stud media duo along for the ride, allowing Yazoo to shoot an abundance of NBA talent (see below). WCS began the 2019-20 season in Golden State before being traded to Dallas last January to provide rebounding and explosiveness in the paint.

“Everything you see on Willie Cauley-Stein’s page is either me or iburks,” Yazoo says. “Getting to go with him, I’ve had the opportunity to see greatness through a lens and study every detail. I don’t take being in those situations for granted.”

Motif cites his access to the Golden State Warriors media day being one of his favorite opportunities so far. “Getting to shoot Steph, Klay… that really hit home as far as where I was and the greatness I was surrounded by,” Yazoo says. One of his other favorite subjects is recording artist, Yoku Naru, who he also linked up within Kentucky and has been working with for several years.

“(Working with) Yoku Naru is great because we have excellent back and forth,” Yazoo says. “It’s the same thing with Rob Yanders.”

Yazoo Motif at The Basketball Movement

On collaborating with Rob Yanders and The Basketball Movement, Yazoo says the experience has been “refreshing.”

“Rob has been great,” Yazoo says. “He is honest and speaks his mind. He gives you full creative control, but his suggestions are still highly relevant. It really improves upon the process.”

Yazoo says that the back-and-forth with people like Rob is what allows him to bring out exactly what people like to see. “My main goal is to work with people and bring their best version to life,” Yazoo continues. “Everyone has a vision of themselves and they want to see themselves in the best version of that, so understanding that and bringing that out is how I set myself apart as an artist.”

Motif often goes by “Zoo,” which he says works well because he sees as himself being able to work with all different “animals” or all the different looks he can create based on the subjects.

“For Rob, he is intense and attention detailed. I think I have been able to capture that for him.” (He definitely has - see below video)

Asked what drives him creatively, Yazoo Motif says it is the desire for constant improvement. “I’m my own worst critic,” Motif says. “I want to improve on every detail from piece to piece. Another motivator comes from my wife and my one-year-old son - I want to keep growing and make them proud.”

The Basketball Movement asked what is next for Yazoo Motif: “Working with bigger and bigger brands,” Yazoo says. “Figuring out how to do that is part of the adventure. My main thing is not stealing ideas and being original. I don’t want to become mainstream; I want mainstream to be me.”

Please go check out Yazoo Motif on Instagram, Twitter, or yazoomotif.com to see his work. His creative mind deserves exposure and The Basketball Movement has been fortunate to have him around. Check out some more of his stuff below and follow along for more visual poetry!

Ania Bracken - Xclusive Apparal

Ania Bracken is creating apparel that appeals to people like her that just want to be different and feel good. This is Xclusive Apparel.

The Basketball Movement is known for propelling young lives on the court, but those that know us best know that it is the off-court impact that drives us. Our founder, Rob Yanders is committed to enriching and empowering the lives of those around him. In this case, he is helping to lend his platform to his niece, 16-year-old Ania Bracken, and her new brand: Xclusive Apparel.

We sat down one-on-one with Ania to get the scoop on this exciting new venture.

Ania says that the idea behind Xclusive Apparel is all about being creative and different in your own way. “I’m a colorful person,” Bracken says. “So, I try to make everything I do fun and colorful.”

T-shirts will quickly become the staple of Ania’s new collection, but she says that she plans to add hoodies soon as well as possibly moving into shorts, joggers, and anything else that can add variety to her unique offerings.

When asked about the memorable Xclusive Apparel logo, Ania seemed to have one main goal in mind - to be different. “When I thought about it, I knew I wanted it to be fun,” Bracken says. “One eye has the X, one is regular, the braces… I just have a bit of an over-indulgent personality, so I wanted that to shine through. It should appeal to those who have attention for detail, like me.”

For Ania, being different is what inspires her creativity. “I believe people are at their best when they are being themselves,” Bracken says. “For me, that is knowing that I’m different than my peers. I figured out that I like different things; I love drawing and being creative. I arrived here creatively by investing time in finding myself and my personal style - my swag.”

“I believe that people are at their best when they are being themselves.”

Asked what helps Ania get into her creative mindset, she says that she keeps it simple. “I love listening to music. I also love just sitting outside and looking at the sky. It gets my brain going, then I get paper or a notebook and just start sketching.”

“I also have an entrepreneurial spirit, so I am trying to use my creativity to be my own boss and hopefully make some money,” Bracken says. She continues by saying that she would love to be able to capitalize on her creativity rather than having to work for someone else. She is not the only one in her family that has that mindset.

Ania says that her Uncle Rob has helped her “tremendously” to this point. “(Yanders) has helped set everything up so far,” Bracken says. “He really believes in me. I told him, and he was on it immediately. We think alike in a lot of ways.”

The “kindness in his heart” is what has shown through the most from Ania’s Uncle Rob.

When asked what people can expect from Xclusive Apparel going forward, Ania gave a short and convincing answer: “Dope clothes.”

“I am going to be bringing a lot of different styles and colorways,” Bracken says. “There will always be more color and more fun, which I keep saying, but that is a key to this brand. Anyone that wears Xclusive Apparel will feel good, be comfortable, and know they are wearing something exclusive.”

We are excited to see where this empowered young woman takes her new business. You can be sure to find plenty of Xclusive Apparel in and around The Basketball Movement going forward, with all of our athletes looking to add to their collection of drip. Stay tuned to Xclusive Apparel’s Instagram as well for all the details!

One-on-One with Big Guard

The Basketball Movement has been blessed by a visit from “Big Guard” and sat down for a one-on-one chat with the mastermind.

“The Basketball Movement” is not just the name of Robert Yanders’ facility or business; it represents strides forward across multiple facets of the sport of basketball. Movement occurs anytime new ideas are formed, players elevate beyond what they had previously been, or strides taken to improve more than just an athlete’s on-court presence.

We also take notice when others are keeping the movement going.

Big Guard (AKA MaJuan Bates Jr.) is more than another hooper; he is one more excellent example of a player that won’t shut up and dribble - a rebel with a cause. His cause is to use his Big Guard platform to inspire, motivate, and elevate athletes that face hurdles similar to those he himself experienced.

“Big Guard is a lifestyle,” Bates tells The Basketball Movement in an exclusive interview. “It is all about thinking about the big picture to overcome obstacles. I represent the underdogs.”

For those that do not know, Big Guard is a social media force (check the Insta) that provides a platform to specific hoopers via exposure, vlogs, commentating, media, and more. The criteria for Big Guard hoopers? They are all under 6 foot 2.

“It is all about exposing the talent of small guards,” Big Guard says. “The platform is all about taking players that are going through the same struggle I did and in doing so, using their size to their advantage.”

Bates himself is 5 foot 9 or so, certainly not the stereotypical mold of a scoring guard. “I did have to become the Big Guard for real,” he says. “I was grinding it out from my freshman to junior years of college, earned a scholarship, got hurt, wasn’t on the same page as coach, kicked off the team… I missed games but dug deep. I came back, played, performed, and look back now to fully appreciate my own testament to not giving up.”

Wanting to walk away, but owing it to himself to finish out his dreams of being a college hooper, Bates finished up at Johnson & Wales University. The St. Louis native says that he proved a lot to himself and used the knowledge that he was not the only one going through the same struggles to maintain optimism even when his confidence was wavering.

A clear influence everywhere you find Big Guard is NBA Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson. Big Guard says A.I.’s impact on the game was “major,” especially to him.

“Seeing his playoff run in 2001… he had to get past Reggie Miller, Vince Carter, and Ray Allen. Then, he faces Shaq and Kobe in the Finals and swipes Game 1,” Big Guard recalls. “Seeing him do it at his size… I could only compare it to M.J. vs. the Monstars. It inspired me.”

“Any guard like that - Nate Robinson, Isaiah Thomas, anyone our size… to see them overcome obstacles in a sport that is so often defined by height inspires and motivates,” Big Guard says. “ Yeah, LeBron is crazy to see come down the lane and dunk it, but those other guys, they make normal-sized players believe in themselves.”

Big Guard at The Basketball Movement

“My first impression of Rob Yanders and The Basketball Movement came online. I saw a video of Rob just sitting down and spitting wisdom to hoopers in a way I hadn’t heard,” Big Guard recalls. “Then, I get this kid DM-ing me, Anton Brookshire, saying I should come watch him play. Didn’t know at the time it was Rob’s nephew.”

“I did pull up soon after to watch this kid play, I was blogging games at the time trying to do things in ways that you don’t always see. I bumped into Rob and he told me about a camp he was putting on that would have some real Big Guard types. I came to the camp and have stayed in touch ever since.

As for Brookshire, Big Guard says though he has been around top-20 level players, he has not seen a mentality as he sees in Anton. “His confidence, his mentality… he is way ahead of the game,” Big Guard says. “He has already had so many hurdles thrown at him. Kid lost his Mother and played his games unphased… which is tough. I also believe it is a testament to the figures in his life like his Uncles Rob and Sly.”

“All this mental toughness and he is still working and growing. When it’s done (Brookshire) is a pro.”

Rob Yanders’ family-first mentality is one of the biggest takeaways that Big Guard has had from his time down at The Basketball Movement. “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from Rob is that you think of how much you can help before you think of how much you can make for yourself. People are self-centered by nature, but he has shown me how you can put God’s work first,” Big Guard says of Yanders.

“I’m inspired, in awe to be honest,” Big Guard says. “Here is a guy just like me, a black male with such high morals and a family man before all else despite odds… the way he gives back to the community? It has inspired me to be a better family man. A better son, brother to my sisters… no doubt that is my biggest takeaway from my time here.”

What’s next for Big Guard?

With the Big Guard platform evolving and moving in exciting directions, we asked Bates what was next. “Branding a lifestyle,” responds Big Guard. “I’m going to be making things more personal - locking onto my life and making sure that I am adding value to those around me, in all areas of life.”

“People are going to be seeing new content beyond basketball.”

Basketball is moving beyond tall guys being the sole source of value. Height helps, but there are ways for anyone to use size to their advantage. Big Guard and Rob Yanders have taken their passion for the game and are using it as a tool to positively impact others.

It has been a pleasure for Rob Yanders and The Basketball Movement to be around, teach, and learn from Big Guard. Keep an eye out for potential collaborations on our end and make sure that you give Big Guard a follow on his social platforms.

Desmond Polk commits to SIU Edwardsville

The Basketball Movement gym rat Desmond Polk has committed to SIUE and is ready to take his game to the next level.

It has been a long road for Desmond Polk of Link Year Prep, but the journey has finally led to an NCAA Division 1 commitment. Polk has verbally committed to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He said that Coach Brian Barone seemed to really want him and the team pursued him hard, despite hurdles.

“My recruitment took a hit last summer,” Polk tells The Basketball Movement. “I wasn’t performing and needed to rebuild myself. SIUE stuck with me.” Polk has been working hard and will be looking to let his new team know that they made the right choice by believing in him.

He does not know anyone on his new team yet but is looking forward to hearing how soon he can get on campus to go to work with his new squad.

“Strength is what I’m working on most,” Polk says about what he needs for the next level of play. “Everyone at this level has to get bigger, faster, and stronger. I’m working on ball handling, consistent shooting, and being a downhill, attacking player.”

Desmond has been at the gym at The Basketball Movement quite a bit in preparation for this big move and we couldn’t be happier to be able to help him on his journey.

“Coach Rob (Yanders) has definitely helped my jump shot. My form is now more comfortable and I’m getting better rotation on the ball.” He says that Yanders is also responsible for helping him become a downhill attacker on offense. “He has helped me make sure that I am thinking north/south instead of east/west.”

Polk was a good player when he first came to The Basketball Movement and we are proud to say that he is already much better. SIUE will be pleasantly surprised with the player he is and we will be watching closely as he continues onward and upward in his hoops career. Congratulations on your selection, Desmond, and good luck!

One-on-One: Indiana Pacers Alize Johnson

Having Alize Johnson in the building for his camp, we got the chance to sit down and chat with the rising NBA talent.

Originally from Williamsport, PA, we are fortunate that Alize Johnson has multiple communities that feel like home. One of the most decorated players in school history, Johnson was a force playing basketball at Missouri State during his college career. Springfield, MO must have made a positive impression on Alize as well, as he said it is very nice to be back for his camp.

“There was so much support while I was here,” says Johnson. “I love coming back here because this is a place where I feel so much support and I can surround myself with people that truly want to see me succeed.”

The Basketball Movement-hosted basketball camp put on by Alize was a big success. Johnson put on a similar camp in his hometown in Pennsylvania just a few days prior. When asked about his favorite part about putting on these camps, he had plenty to say.

“These camps elate me. I like to see the kids grow - see them smile. In return, it pushes me to go harder because I feel like I have them looking up to me. It gives me a voice. NBA players love doing things like this because it is building off of what we have been able to accomplish.”
— Alize Johnson

Not a stranger to The Basketball Movement or working with its Founder, Rob Yanders, we were honored to play host to Alize’s camp this summer. The facility and coaches are designed around the high-intensity style that is needed for the older kids as well as fundamentals and fun-oriented feel for the younger ones.

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Johnson commented on how far the facility had come since he first started coming here and how proud he is of his friend and mentor, Rob Yanders. “Pretty much the only thing left he could add is like, hotel rooms for the players that come out here,” Alize joked. “To see where this place is right now - it’s amazing.” (Note/Plug: The Basketball Movement does offer shuttle service for those interested in extended pro workouts!! End plug)

“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. I’m really proud of what he’s doing with these kids too.”
— Alize on Robert Yanders

While putting on the camp here, Alize seemed to form a bond also with Rob’s nephew and The Basketball Movement and Yanders Law standout, Anton Brookshire. Anton isn’t one to boast, so Johnson lent a hand in giving the young player some props on social media. Alize said how humble he was is part of why he was so impressed by Brookshire.

“He’s humble - not trying to be big time. He already knows who he is and operates within himself. Honestly, he reminds me of myself in some ways… He has what it takes to be a pro,” Alize said of Brookshire.

Upcoming season

With a newly guaranteed contract, Alize Johnson is primed for another exciting pro season. The contract is now guaranteed because of what he was able to show the Indiana Pacers organization recently at the NBA Summer League. His scoring, and possibly more importantly, tenacious rebounding made him one of the Pacers’ most valuable summer players.

“(Rebounding) comes naturally to me - I love to do it. I still have the will for it too, of course, it helps me keep playing and making a living,” said Johnson.

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Whether he spends the majority of his time with the Pacers or their G-League affiliate this season is still naturally a bit up in the air, though his summer showing is a great start. He says that all he can do is keep preparing as much as possible and be ready when his number is called. “I’ll just handle all the little things and everything should fall into place,” he said.

Now with these camps under his belt, Johnson will just be working out and hanging with friends until it’s time to get back at it. He says that he will report back on August 8th. We of course wish him the very best this upcoming season and want to thank him once again for teaming up with The Basketball Movement this summer to stay involved with the community in Southwest Missouri.

Good luck, Alize and see you soon!

One-on-One: Twilah Carrasquillo

Yanders Law’s Twilah Carrasquillo continues to do big things for Verona High School and is poised to carry over her success to the collegiate level.

Another staple of The Basketball Movement and a Yanders Law veteran, Twilah Carrasquillo is continuing her basketball career in style, breaking records along the way. We got to catch up with her in the middle of a great season for Verona High, where she recently broke the women’s scoring record - held by her sister.

She eclipsed the 2,000 point mark and is continuing to build upon a Verona women’s career scoring record. Asked if her sister was upset about her record being broken, Carrasquillo said “She would have been mad if I didn’t break it.” Not surprising then, that she credited her school, friends, and family for the support that helped her achieve this goal. She acknowledged the rarity of this scoring mark in her sport but is determined to stay focused on team wins.

As Verona advances through their season, accolades will undoubtedly pile up for the Ozarks Sports Zone Player of the Week, who has already committed to continuing her hoops career at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.

For Twilah, attending Benedictine is as much about lifestyle as it is about hoops. Many athletes forget that it is okay to remain passionate about more than just the sport you play - Twilah is a shining example of staying true to yourself.

“The coaching staff and girls were very welcoming,” said Carrasquillo. “Benedictine is strongly Christian as a historic Catholic school. I knew it was the place to be because I could fit in as a teammate and also as a person.”

We have seen Twilah in action enough to know that she will be one of the team’s hardest workers right away. Her character and convictions will carry her through no matter what.

Twilah Carrasquillo with Yanders Law and The Basketball Movement

Asked how she originally fell in with Robert Yanders and Yanders Law, Twilah recalled playing against his team. Her Dad was coaching against Rob in Springfield and was approached by Rob and Sly Yanders to discuss a change of scenery. The instincts of Rob to invite the Carraquillos into his organization were spot-on, as they have all been shining examples of basketball the Rob Yanders way.

Aside from playing for Yanders Law, Twilah has put in many hours at The Basketball Movement, honing her craft. She is a gifted scorer inside and out and is continuing to expand her range, shore up her handles, and round into a fantastic all-around player.

“My biggest takeaways from working with Rob have a lot to do with having a better and deeper knowledge of the game. Knowing so many circumstances helps you see plays before they happen.”
— Twilah Carrasquillo

After a successful Yanders Law tenure and as she winds down a fantastic high school career, we asked Twilah what advice she would give other players as they go through the process of picking a college. “Don’t get overwhelmed with what division school it is, just pick whatever is the best decision for you” Carrasquillo said. “Choose what fits with your life. You can’t play ball forever, so always pick something you love.”

With priorities in order, determination, and basketball skills for days, Twilah Carrasquillo is blazing into the next chapter of life armed to the teeth. Her time with us has been a pleasure, hopefully on both ends. We hope that when she makes trips back to see her family and friends that we can still put in some work together when possible.

We thrive on helping outstanding young players like Twilah along their journey. We wish her the absolute best and can’t wait to see what she’ll do next!

One-on-One: Isaac Haney

Yanders Law sophomore, Isaac Haney has been doing big things for Dora and is looking like a strong D-1 talent.

Fresh off of a 48 point scoring blitz with nine assists against Lutie (Theodosia, MO) and helping Dora win the Cabool Holiday tournament, Isaac Haney just can’t help but get back in the gym. Luckily for both of us, that gym is located in the heart of The Basketball Movement.

For a long time, Haney has been putting in crazy work at The Basketball Movement and for Yanders Law teams. His relationship with our coaches has come easily; he has the hard-working, nose to the grindstone mentality that we thrive on.

In only his second year of high school at a smaller school in Dora, Isaac “Ice” Haney has been getting plenty of collegiate attention. He has outstanding offers from Cleveland State and Grambling while receiving interest from Missouri State and Nebraska Omaha.

In speaking with The Basketball Movement, Haney says that he has been focusing on multiple areas of his game. “I’ve been refining all my skills - getting better at finding holes in the defense, improving my mid-range game, and getting more athletic and stronger.” Not only has Isaac added a few inches of height just recently, but his efforts to get stronger are clearly paying off as well.

We asked Isaac if there were any players he is modeling his game after. His initial response was “Steve Nash” because he likes to be in control, distribute, and still get his (though Nash never dropped 48). He did also mention that he has a JJ Redick mentality, highlighting his quick-trigger. The nod to Redick actually makes a lot of sense when watching Haney in action.

Isaac Haney at The Basketball Movement

From the press box at The Basketball Movement, you can take in every bit of action in the facility. Coach Rob was working with Isaac recently (while his media crew filmed with a drone by the way... this place is next-level) and getting up jumpers. Haney’s jumper actually looked like JJ Redick’s shooting form. If you know hoops, you know that spells perfection. His follow-through just screams shooter.

Coach Rob gushed about getting to help Haney grow over the years.

“This kid is a great player. He has a savage mentality that always makes you feel like he can win you the game. He is making a case to be the best sophomore in Missouri right now.”
— Rob Yanders

Normally when you see Rob throw an hour on the clock, you know you are about to see someone get their butt kicked. Watching Haney, you get the sense that he loves the pain. The tired forearms, the mental strain to lock into a Rob workout, and the jelly legs are things that most players dread. Haney knows that means he is improving. That is why he keeps coming back.

“The Basketball Movement is easily the best place to come. Rob is one hundred percent the best in the business. In my time here I have improved by leaps and bounds in all ways.”
— Isaac Haney

Isaac Haney is not going to stop improving, which means he won’t stop coming to The Basketball Movement. Haney knows where to go for the best of the best. We are simply thrilled to have gotten to know and watch as another young man betters himself every day.

For more player profiles and inside looks at everything we have going on, make sure you are following The Basketball Movement and Yanders Law across all platforms.