Team USA mini-camp

This week there has been a three-day Team USA mini-camp for 35 men players interested in competing in the 2020 Olympics.

The 2020 Olympics will be held in Tokyo, Japan and will feature some of the best athletes from around the world. Among those will be the reigning gold-medalist USA basketball team, poised for another gold medal run.

As there are most summers, there is a short camp for team USA basketball. This year's has been held in Las Vegas from July 25-27. Coach Gregg Popovich will be at the helm after Duke University's Mike Krzyzewski stepped down after a long, successful stretch coach team USA.

The roster of players at the camp is 35 strong. Team USA can still add or remove players as it chooses for next year's FIBA World Championship in China or the 2020 Olympics. This means that if they are still up for it, players like LeBron James or Chris Paul could still be added to the trimmed-down roster at a later time despite skipping camp. Given their comparatively advanced age, it could go either way.

A few players had to miss the camp despite being on the roster. Minnesota Timberwolves' Jimmy Butler, had offseason hand surgery and Washington's Bradley Beal had the birth of a child. One interesting absence is Kawhi Leonard, who may not feel like seeing Coach Pop after his falling out with and recent trade from the San Antonio Spurs.

Plenty of teammates are on the roster such as Detroit's Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, Indiana's Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner, OKC's Paul George and Russell Westbrook, and the Warriors' Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. Interesting ex-teammate situations such as Durant and Westbrook abound as well.

The roster at the camp is as follows, per Bleacher Report:

Team USA Roster

Harrison Barnes (Dallas Mavericks)

Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)

Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)

Jimmy Butler (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Mike Conley Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)

DeMarcus Cousins (Golden State Warriors)

Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)

Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)

DeMar DeRozan (San Antonio Spurs)

Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons)

Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)

Paul George (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Eric Gordon (Houston Rockets)

Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)

Blake Griffin (Detroit Pistons)

James Harden (Houston Rockets)

Tobias Harris (Los Angeles Clippers)

Gordon Hayward (Boston Celtics)

Kyrie Irving (Boston Celtics)

LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)

DeAndre Jordan (Dallas Mavericks)

Kawhi Leonard (Toronto Raptors)

Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)

Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors)

CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers)

Khris Middleton(Milwaukee Bucks)

Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers)

Chris Paul (Houston Rockets)

Isaiah Thomas (Denver Nuggets)

Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)

Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers)

Kemba Walker (Charlotte Hornets)

John Wall (Washington Wizards)

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)

For now, fans will have to wait until the FIBA World Championships next year to see these guys in action together. The closest we'll get until then will be the 2019 All-Star game in which many of these stars will mingle with fellow NBA players from around the globe.

Stick with The Basketball Movement as we follow this and other noteworthy teams, keeping you up-to-date on basketball movement around the world.

2018 WNBA All-Star lineups officially set

The WNBA is trying out the same All-Star format that the NBA used this year. How did the teams shake out?

Much like Team LeBron vs. Team Steph, 2018 marks the first year for the WNBA to try out the team captain approach. The 15th WNBA All-Star contest will feature Team Delle Donn vs. Team Parker. This is the first year that the format will not be Eastern vs. Western Conference players, with players from each representing either team.

The game will be Saturday July 28th in Minneapolis at 2:30 Central time. The game will be on ABC as well as broadcast live on SiriusXM's NBA radio.

The WNBA season is 34 games long, so it is already slowly winding down with the conference standings taking shape. The Atlanta Dream may be the hottest team, leading the East with a 15-4 record, though their seven-game win streak just barley has them ahead of the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun.

The Seattle Storm are dominating the West at 18-7, though the West is more competitive from top-to-bottom.

The selections

Elena Della Donn selected first while Candace Parker chose second, alternating throughout. Familiar names pepper each roster, with team Della Donn sporting the only rookie in the contest, A'ja Wilson. Interestingly, team Parker has the first sister pair ever to compete in Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike.

Below is the full team list taken directly from WNBA.com

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No NCAA hoops, no NBA, no problem with some great basketball on deck from these women. Once again, you can tune in Saturday afternoon the 28th on ABC or listen on SiriusXM's NBA radio channel. 

NBA Summer League: Deonte Burton hits game-winner

Remember when we recently discussed The Basketball Movement and Edge Sport's Deonte Burton? He has been a busy man.

Just a few weeks ago, we talked about the ascension of former Iowa State Cylcone, Deonte Burton. After college, he played overseas, where he was the most valuable player of the Korean Basketball League. This year he was invited to work out and play for the OKC Thunder's Summer League squad. Now, he is under contract for the season.

Burton has already signed a two-way contract for the 2018-19 NBA season. The two-way contract means that he will split time with the Oklahoma City Thunder and their G-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. The contract means that he can play a maximum of 45 games for the Thunder.

Each team gets just a pair of two-way contracts. Last year was the first year for them and OKC used theirs on Daniel Hamilton and PJ Dozier. They both got a lot of run in the G-League and played in six and two NBA games respectively.

Burton was signed once his workouts at the Thunder training facility were complete - so they did not even need to see him in Summer League action to know that they wanted him on the team. He still decided to show out in Summer League anyway.

The highlights are already underway for Burton

Rob Yanders has done a lot to help Deonte Burton with the mental side of the game, which is huge at every level - especially the NBA. Deonte's full game was on display this Summer League, with heady defense, eye-popping athleticism, and yes - a game-winning jumper.

Did you watch the above video? Seriously, take the two minutes to watch this guy in action. The Basketball movement is very proud of what Deonte has already accomplished, but he is clearly destined for so much more greatness.

He finished his NBA Summer League outing with averages of 11/6/3 in just 20 minutes per game. Most impressive is his 1.6 steals AND 1.6 blocks in his five games of action.

The OKC Thunder have to find a way to work The Basketball Movement's Denote Burton into what they're doing this season. We will be watching closely as his career heads in a great direction, so keep it locked right here and follow us on Twitter @BBall_Movement

All stats per NBA.com

 

 

Anthony Tolliver - Minnesota Timberwolves

The Basketball Movement talks with Springfield, Missouri's Anthony Tolliver following his signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The gyms at The Basketball Movement have hosted a lot of terrific players over the years. One of the most successful has to be NBA player, Anthony Tolliver.

Prior to owning the facility, Rob Yanders worked out there as a player. Even before all of Rob's improvements, the space was one of the best basketball facilities in the area. Working out here during his pro days led to Rob meeting and playing against fellow pro, Tolliver.

Though he is originally from Springfield, Tolliver lives with his family in Dallas most of the year. He says that he still can see the impact of The Basketball Movement through videos and its viral presence.

“He (Rob) clearly has big dreams for this community as well. Giving back through knowledge is giving back the best you can, whether you have knowledge of engineering, basketball, whatever. He does a great job, especially with kids or individuals striving for scholarships or even pro ball.”
— Tolliver on Rob Yanders

That is high praise from Anthony Tolliver, who gives back to our area himself whether it's basketball camps, real estate investments, etc. Tolliver says that it is important to never forget where you come from - he hasn't.

What's next for the sharpshooting big man?

There was one word that Anthony Tolliver used to describe himself: "Worker". His summer is filled with consistent workouts, usually at gyms/high schools near his home in Texas. "As you get older, it's more important to work smarter rather than harder" Tolliver said. "The older you get, it's important to be smart about how you approach an 82 game season."

Now a 10-year veteran with almost 600 NBA games under his belt, Tolliver is no stranger to NBA free agency. We asked him about his mindest amidst the uncertainty.

“It’s always a struggle mentally, but I have been there many times. You know that you’ve done your work, so you just have to wait on the various team decisions.”
— Tolliver on free agency

After agreeing to a new one-year contract, he is now set to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second time in his career. He played two seasons for the Wolves previously from 2010-2012. Clearly they remember his three-point shooting, rebounding, and willingness to defend around the rim. He now comes to them as a strong veteran presence (38 percent career three-point shooting doesn't hurt either).

As for living in Minneapolis when the time comes, Tolliver says the players are on their own. He will likely find a house to rent with his wife and children and get up there a few weeks before training camp.

Asked about NBA Summer League, Tolliver gave a chuckle. "I'm definitely past that" he said. "I did that for about five seasons, but it's for the young guys. I'm glad it's over."

Advice and faith

Robert Yanders built The Basketball Movement on faith. He has explained vividly before that every piece of wood in his floors, his color scheme, everything is based around giving glory to the God that allows him to follow his dreams.

If you are familiar with Anthony Tolliver or follow him on any media outlets, you know that that same faith resides in him.

“It is my foundation. I take it very seriously because it is my purpose on this Earth. I use my given skills with the knowledge of who I represent - I use my platform for His glory. It helps me stay confident and motivated - it is incredibly fulfilling to play in the NBA and use my platform in that way.”
— Tolliver on his faith

We asked Tolliver for advice for current Basketball Movement players and he brought it back to working smarter not harder. "It isn't rocket science; there are no secret drills that will get you to the NBA."

Consistency - working daily on the right things was his best advice. "You could work for three hours on the wrong things. Work on what's important."

Take a page out of NBA forward Anthony Tolliver's book; come get in work at one of the Midwest's top facilities. The Movement has come a long way over the years, bringing a professional, urban basketball presence to the community. Contact us here to get started.

We wish Anthony Tolliver and the Minnesota Timberwolves the best of luck in this upcoming season!

2018 NBA Draft pick Alize Johnson - The Basketball Movement

Missouri State Alum Alize Johnson talks with The Basketball Movement after being selected in the 2018 NBA Draft.

The first Missouri State Bear selected in the NBA Draft since Winston Garland (1987), Alize Johnson is a versatile threat destined for professional basketball at the highest level. No stranger to The Basketball Movement, we had the opportunity to talk to him after the draft.

Fans of Missouri State basketball are very familiar with Alize's game. He is a capable scorer and is a 20-rebound threat despite his versatility as a stretch-big. With the size and quickness to guard multiple positions, he was coveted by several NBA teams.

Alize Johnson has had a very busy Summer, working out with 12 NBA teams all over the country. He said that it was a "Dream come true" being in all of those facilities and meeting the personnel.

Players or fans alike would recognize another versatile big man named Johnson that Alize got to meet recently. "Meeting Magic Johnson in LA was not normal" Alize said. "I had to act normal, but to meet someone on his level with his experience... it was definitely cool."

He has encountered players at all levels on his journey. He said of his fellow draftee, Dante DiVincenzo that he was not surprised in the least that he went 17th. He also mentioned De'Aaron Fox, who was drafted last season but is technically younger than Alize. "He has been great to defend this offseason. I've learned where I need to be in my lateral movement from his speed."

The Draft

Hearing your name selected in the NBA draft is an incredible accomplishment for basketball players from every corner of the world. In case he was not tired of answering the question already, we asked Alize what it felt like to get drafted:

“It felt like a dream. I have worked extremely hard and been through a lot with my family. It was an emotional night, but now I’m looking forward to getting to play with the best players in the world.”
— Alize Johnson

When asked what the next step is for him, Alize explained that NBA Summer League is the next big moment. "I'm learning plays and getting a feel for how they want to use me" Alize said. He aims to impress them with his ability to fill any role on the floor. He says he would be comfortable at the 3 or 4 position - whatever the team needs.

He said he is currently working on conditioning and getting back to being a knock-down three-point shooter like he was his Junior year at MSU. Speaking of putting in work...

Alize Johnson and The Basketball Movement

His time at Missouri State is what led to meeting Rob Yanders and working out at The Basketball Movement. He said that he heard this is where local guys came to get great workouts.

“Rob is a great guy - very genuine. He can explain how to work out efficiently for you specifically. He’s a great trainer but an even better dude.”
— Alize Johnson on Rob Yanders

As it is often goes with time spent at The Basketball Movement, it is easier to show you the work than to explain it in words. Check out the video below for some of the work Alize Johnson put in here at The Movement.

Asked to give advice to The Basketball Movement's up-and-comers on how to get your name called in the draft, he had a few simple tips.

Our personal favorite is "Use Rob." Alize explained that Rob has played as a professional and had players come through his doors from the highest level. Having such a resource here in the Midwest is a great way for players to get ahead.

Beyond that, Johnson spoke on the importance of character and leaning on whatever religion you may follow. He said to remain humble, but also to work extremely hard.

If working "extremely hard" doesn't scare you off of your path to the top, contact The Basketball Movement to get to work right away.

We wish our friend, Alize Johnson the best of luck in the NBA! Summer League in Vegas starts tonight with all games televised on either NBA TV, ESPN, or ESPN U, so don't forget to tune in!

Happy 4th from The Basketball Movement!

As you safely celebrate Independence Day, we thought we would bring you some highlights from Team USA.

The world may slowly be catching up, but USA basketball has been the undisputed kings of the worldwide basketball scene. From the Dream Team to LeBron James and Kobe Bryant teaming up, there have been a lot of fun moments.

The Dream Team got its name for a reason. To assemble Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Stockton & Malone, and the rest was a dream come true. Here are a few of their highlights from the '92 trip to Barcelona where they took home the gold:

They may not have gotten a cool nickname, but the 2012 team that took gold in London was pretty solid also. LeBron, Kobe, Melo, Westbrook, Harden, Durant, Paul, Love, a young Anthony Davis... gimme a break.

Here are a few of their highlights:

There are of course many other Men's Team USA players worth mentioning. We know however that you have family and fireworks to get to, so we'll leave you with this.

Men's USA basketball is certainly not the only dominant basketball team repping the United States on the global level. Below are highlights from the 2016 women's national team that took gold under Maya Moore, Britney Griner, Elena Della Donne, Tamika Catchings, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and more.

The next Olympic Summer games aren't until 2020. We will have some FIBA championships in the meantime as well as Olympic training camps.

We at The Basketball Movement hope that you have a safe and fun Fouth of July with loved ones. Take a day off if you have to, but remember to get some shots up tomorrow! USA! USA! USA!

Jahad Thomas - The Basketball Movement

Jahad Thomas works out with The Basketball Movement following a successful collegiate career. His goal? The NBA.

From Williamsport, Pennsylvania originally, Jahad Thomas has worked and worked to become the player he is today. A red-shirt freshman at UMass Lowell, Thomas was clearly patient, as he exploded onto the scene his official freshman season averaging 14 points and 1.3 steals.

Thomas' numbers climbed each season, culminating in senior-year averages of 21/8/4 and 1.8 steals per contest. Averaging 8.7 boards his final two seasons is a very telling figure for the 6'2" guard. He is clearly a high-motor player that is not afraid to get in the paint.

The greatest strides that Jahad has taken as a player are intangibles according to him. Leadership and positivity are things that he has had to work at, but they have played great dividends. For the ultimate in leadership and positivity, Jahad found himself in front of the perfect trainer - Rob Yanders.

Enter The Basketball Movement

Jahad Thomas says that he heard about Rob Yanders and The Basketball Movement through his friend, Alize Johnson. Now drafted by the Indiana Pacers, Johnson has been an ally of The Movement for a while. Upon being introduced to Rob, Jahad said that he was blown away by the way Robert treated him like he'd known him for years.

Side note: Watch the video below. Some things are easy to show than to put into words. Watch this man get in his work with The Basketball Movement in one of the best examples of intensity we have, especially from about 3:45-on.

Having seen the impact of positivity and leadership, Thomas said that when he is around Robert, he does his best to be a "human sponge" to soak up as much as he can.

Being a sponge around experienced guys like Rob, working hard to learn as much as possible, and taking care of his body are the big keys for Jahad right now.

“Robert has helped me tremendously. He has taught me how to be a professional on and off the court. I’ve learned a lot from him about communication and the importance of making connections.”
— Jahad Thomas

Asked about his ceiling as a basketball player, Thomas first answered "Very high", but then corrected himself; "No ceiling." He says that consistent work with Rob and continuing to work out in other ways has built his confidence to continue to elevate his game.

Next steps for Jahad Thomas

Already an established scorer at the collegiate level, Jahad says that he wants to continue to round his skill-set so that he can play the game as it comes to him, no-matter the situation.

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Continuing to improve will help him reach his goal of making it to the NBA, no matter how long it takes.

“Rob explained to me that with my goals (the NBA), it’s alright even if it doesn’t go exactly the way you want.”
— Jahad Thomas

He went on to explain that Robert has taught him a lot about the importance of great routines and consistent workouts. Things like knowing when to go hard and when to slow down are important skills that you do not always get to hone without concentrated training such as what is offered at The Basketball Movement.

Jahad comes across as being laid-back, but is a gym rat through and through. This is a guy to keep an eye on as he continues to elevate his game.

It also says a lot that he spoke so highly of Rob Yanders in such a short period of time. If you are serious about taking your game to the next level, contact The Basketball Movement here.

Payton Henson - The Basketball Movement

Payton Henson is working hard with The Basketball Movement as he eyes a professional hoops career.

Originally from Arkansas, Payton Henson has been spending his summer right here at The Basketball Movement. In speaking to Henson, he seems humble yet hungry - realistic yet confident. This is a guy that is willing to put in the work to take his game to the next level.

He recalls growing up with/playing against DaShaun Stark, who has been working feverishly with Rob Yanders and The Movement this summer also. Henson says that his time at The Basketball Movement largely began as seeking a place to work out - a search that ended in a premier destination here in the Midwest.

Payton says that the professionalism he has experienced at The Movement is evident from the get-go. It has taught him a lot about playing the game at the next level.

“Rob has been around and has seen a lot. Working out is one thing, but he has shown me how to take all of that a step farther.”
— Payton Henson

Taking Henson's game a step farther with The Basketball Movement

When asked how The Movement is helping in his training and preparation, Henson had several answers. "Eating right, recovery, and continual improvement." With Rob's focused and tailor-made workouts, players are able to get in and get better every single day.

Henson says that he has learned to "take treatment and dieting seriously" as he has gotten a bit older. Eating healthier and taking the time to stretch/focus on recovery have been some big eye-openers that he's taken away from his time here.

Payton Henson played his first two years of college ball at Tulane and finished up his collegiate career strong at the University of Vermont. Henson shot an impressive 81 percent at the line in his final two seasons, averaged double-digit scoring figures, and was hitting threes at a 40 percent clip by his senior year. Good stuff from the 6'8" Henson.

In talking about how he is striving to improve as a player, Payton spoke about transitioning his college game to the pro level:

“I played the 4 in college, but I’m trying to transition to more of a 3. I’m working to get better off the bounce and working on pull-up shooting from mid-range on out.”

What's next for Payton Henson?

"Playing at the highest level", Henson responded when asked about his aspirations as a player. "I will take it one step at a time until I secure my first contract."

He says that it is a bit of a waiting game right now. He can try to get in front of the right people to carve out a place in the NBA G-League, or play overseas where he has already garnered interest. Payton could potentially head from one of those squads in Germany, Spain, or France.

Asked about some of the top basketball experiences he is drawing from, he had a pretty cool answer. His Junior year, they were 16-0 in the conference, but had to come back from behind in the championship game. Payton hit the go-ahead and-one with 30 seconds left to secure the victory and a NCAA Tournament berth.

Henson is experienced, articulate, and driven to power his game to the next stage. The help from The Basketball Movement will be evident for whoever is smart enough to give him his next shot.

All statistics from ESPN.

Edge Sports International, Inc. sends players to The Basketball Movement

The Basketball Movement just keeps growing with help from our friends at Edge Sports.

Edge Sports International, Inc. is a sports marketing and management firm out of Chicago, Illinois. They represent professional athletes at home and abroad and are sending some of their talent to Southwest Missouri and The Basketball Movement.

According to Edge Sports' website, "Edge Sports International is an elite sports management and marketing group representing top professional athletes worldwide." They offer multiple services such as: contract negotiation, business advisory services, marketing, media relations, and more.

Edge Sports represented five players in the NBA last season and many more in the NBA G-League and all the top international leagues.

Sam Cipriano

I spoke with Sam Cipriano, Senior Vice President with Edge Sports ahead of the arrival of the Edge Sports players. He gave us the scoop as far as what Edge Sports is all about and which players they would be sending to The Basketball Movement.

Roughly the same age, Cipriano says he and our Founder Rob Yanders grew up in Wisconsin, where Sam followed Rob's basketball career closely from high school on up. Sam and Rob reconnected at the NBA Summer League a few years back.

The Basketball Movement and The Edge Sports, Int. have a mutual client in professional player, Deonte Burton. As we have touched on before, Burton had an extremely successful first season playing in South Korea and is poised to continue his ascension.

Giving players "The Edge"

Naturally, the firm is all about giving their athletes an edge over the competition. They go above and beyond in their marketing and are very experienced in contract negotiation. Their involvement with The Basketball Movement confirms that they are also very thorough in making sure their players are constantly improving.

We asked Cipriano about the importance of monitoring the continual improvement of the players they represent:

“Extremely important... Players at every position on the floor must be so skilled in today’s game. Every player must be able to stretch the floor, defend multiple positions, attack close-outs, and keep the ball moving. We help our clients add something new to their game each and every off-season.”
— Sam Cipriano

When asked about how the agency gives its players that coveted "edge", Sam described that Edge Sports is a family-oriented boutique agency that has been representing players in the NBA and worldwide for over 25 years. He explained that their clients feel like "our brothers" that get their full focus on and off the court.

Involvement with The Basketball Movement

Deonte Burton of Edge Sports has of course been working out with The Basketball Movement for a while and will continue to do so. There are more players inbound that Edge Sports would like to see hone their skills with the unique, professional quality workouts of The Movement.

Cipriano says that they currently have about 13 guys that will be playing in the NBA Summer League that he would like to get in front of Rob Yanders and TBM's other trainers. Rob will make sure that the players get his trademark efficient, customized workouts to take their game to the next level.

The backgrounds of each of these players are varied. There will be guys like Deonte Burton that are Americans with overseas experience, several NBA rookies, foreign players, you name it.

We will keep you up to date as The Basketball Movement continues this exciting collaboration with Edge Sports International. For more on what the guys over at Edge Sports are all about, check out their Twitter @Edge_Sports. For more on The Basketball Movement, you are already in the right place.

For inquiries, you can contact Sam by email at scipriano@edgesportsintl.com

Pro baller Deonte Burton - The Basketball Movement

With a year of pro ball under his belt, Deonte Burton is poised to make a splash at the NBA Summer League this year.

The Basketball Movement's Deonte Burton is already working out at the OKC Thunder training facilities preparing for Summer League. Playing for the Thunder's team will get him plenty of exposure as he looks to advance his professional basketball career. 

Burton played his college ball at Marquette and Iowa State. He played last year for Wonju DB Promy of the Korean Basketball League, where he was the league MVP.

Burton was the Big 12 newcomer of the year in 2016 when he tranferred to Iowa State, despite having to wait out multiple games per NCAA policy. By his senior season, he was second-team all big 12, and clearly ready for the next level.

Honestly this whole article could be highlight videos. From high school to Korea - the big shots, blocks, and dunks haven't stopped coming. Burton is going to make sure that they do not stop any time soon either.

Playing professional basketball

When asked to compare the Big 12 to playing overseas in Korea, Burton said "It's really apples and oranges". The style of basketball may be very different, but he notes that the discipline and competitive style from college helped translate to any variant of pro basketball.

“I went from playing 30 games to playing 60. You have to really take care of your body and work on the little things. Things like stretching everyday that you didn’t really worry about in college.”
— Deonte Burton on his pro experience

Burton explained that though he was playing more games, conditioning was similar because it's a two way street. "The more games you play, the better shape you'll be in" Deonte said.

Deonte said that this has been his first time overseas for more than a year. He says that it has been a fantastic experience and he has learned a lot about Korean culture and about himself. Wonju is a very traditional South Korean town that has allowed him to learn a lot about Eastern culture.

Deonte Burton and Rob Yanders - Milwaukee guys

When asked how Deonte got hooked up with Robert and The Basketball Movement, he threw it way back. He said his older brother and Robert were great friends growing up in Milwaukee. The connection remained and Rob remained great example for Burton on and off the court.

 He discussed how Robert has been helping him with the mental side of the game.

“That part of the game is really big. I’m physically gifted, but so are other people at this level. Discipline and hard work separates everyone.”
— Deonte Burton

Shooting has been the biggest focus for Deonte this Summer. He is already a solid shooter, but he said that you must constantly improve because every league requires you to be able to shoot the ball.

Focusing on a well-rounded offensive game is what he would like to demonstrate in the Summer League; defense, his improved shooting, and whole offensive repertoire.

His workouts with OKC this offseason he calls well-balanced, but overall similar to what he's been through many times before. The NBA Summer League tips of in early July, so Deonte Burton is ready to show the world what he can do. His goal?

"Dominate Summer League"

We believe he can. The games will be televised between ESPN and NBA TV, so remember to tune in!

DaShaun Stark - The Basketball Movement

An athletic 6'5", DaShaun Stark is working with The Basketball Movement to prepare for the pro-scene.

Friendly and articulate with a humble confidence, DeShaun Stark is poised for basketball at the professional level.

Originally from the area, DaShaun Stark moved to Arkansas around age 10, where he went on to play high school ball. Many from Southwest Missouri may recognize DaShaun Stark from his freshman and sophomore seasons as a Drury Panther (2013-2015).

After red-shirting a year back down south for the Arkansas Razorbacks, Stark got much more run his senior year for William Woods University. Stark shot nearly 50 percent from the field that year, also using his length to grab boards, disrupt opposing players, and now - draw attention on the pro-scene.

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Asked what us next for him in his career - Stark says that improving is his number one priority. 

“I have to keep improving and just get in front of some teams in the G-League. From there I can keep rising.”

One of the experiences that Strark draws on the most is his time at Arkansas. He says that his eyes were opened to the level of basketball he was capable of playing. He also cites his first collegiate game - an exhibition at Duke - for igniting his passion for continuing to play the game.

Stark's time with The Basketball Movement

Playing on his Step-Father's team back in 8th grade, DaShaun recalls going up against a Robert Yanders-led squad. He said the Rob liked his game, approached him, and made the connection.

DaShaun said that he has become a much better player mentally since putting in work with The Basketball Movement. Rob's experiences have been really applicable to his circumstances and mindset. He is also striving to transition into more of a point guard role, so Rob is working with him to improve his handles and shot from deep.

The further you go in a basketball career, the harder it is on your body. Stark had a standout point that he has been learning about: water.

“I’ve never been big on water or just hydration in general, so that’s been a big change. The little things day-to-day have become more important - what to eat and especially what not to eat.”

DaShaun is very appreciative of his time with Robert Yanders. He says that The Basketball Movement has helped his game "tremendously". Professionalism, routine, and specifically catered curriculum are a few of the highlights that Stark pointed out to us.

“Rob has been a great basketball influence for many years.”

When asked about his ceiling, Stark said that his mindframe is that he has no ceiling. "Sky's the limit." After seeing his game and committment, we believe him.

Happy Father's Day from The Basketball Movement!

At the core of The Basketball Movement, family (blood or not) drives everyone to be their best.

Your Father may have put up your first goal, driven you to practice, or even coached you. Today is a great reminder to thank your dad - or whoever filled that role in your life.

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In my a sit-down interview with The Movement's Founder, Rob Yanders, I learned that fatherhood played a big role in his business. The desire to be the best for his own son propels Robert and his team of trainers to be the best they can for the boys, girls, men, and women that walk through the doors of The Basketball Movement.

“I have a son. I selfishly also want my son to grow up around other leaders and be led in the right direction in this community.”
— Rob Yanders

Not everyone has a desirable father-son or father-daughter relationship. For almost everyone though, there are people in their life that have stepped up and been a great example. Today is certainly for those individuals as well.

I (@WilHarrington) am set to become a dad in seven or so weeks. I am excited at the opportunity to draw on the experiences I've had with my Father, who was also my basketball and baseball coach. I intend to also draw on examples set by Robert and other strong father figures I've been able to be around in my life.

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The Basketball Movement is a fraternity for basketball lovers and its doors are open to you and yours. Mentorship and excellent role models abound here and we invite you to become a part of it.

Happy Father's Day from The Basketball Movement!

Home court advantage

Whether you have it or you don't, it is tough to deny the existence of home court advantage in basketball.

We just saw it in the first game of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals - we see it in grade school hoops; home court advantage helps in our sport.

Whether your fanbase is big or small, there is something to be said for the extra adrenaline that comes from preforming in front of your fans. Nothing builds confidence quite like a crowd going crazy when you hit a shot. The intensity really does seem to ramp up when the crowd chants "DEFENSE" as you prepare to make a stop.

Even if the parents/biggest fans travel well on the road, the crowd is almost never quite like it is when you play in your team's home gym.

The kind of energy brought on by playing on your home court is one that players must learn to harness. The extra energy and adrenaline is a great thing, but playing the right way and remaining focused on your own strengths are still what will pull you through.

For every home team, there is an away squad.

Okay, okay, this is pretty obvious. Still, it is worth pointing out that focus is important at home, but even more important on the road.

When you travel to another team's gym, they will get all of the above benefits. When the home team is on a role and all of the energy in the gym shifts to them, it can be intimidating as a visiting player.

Many of the same tips that apply at home still apply on the road. Laser focus on your role and your strengths become even more important. Road teams can get the same adrenaline, but in different ways. There is nothing quite like quieting a raucous crowd with a big block or by draining a timely three-ball.

Keeping your head up and focusing on the task at hand can be tough in a hostile gym, but it is often the key to stealing a win on the road.

No home team?

This time of year in particular, AAU games, various Summer tournaments, etc. means that both teams are playing in unfamiliar territory.

In a way, this produces some very pure basketball. No home court advantage means that there is a level playing field. Little crowd noise means that you can hear a few shouting coaches, every bounce of the ball, and sneakers squeaking as players drive all over the court.

Sweat and skill determines such games, meaning it is a great time to test your mettle.

Make The Basketball Movement your home court by reaching out to us here!

 

 

Highs and lows of coaching on display in the NBA

It has been an interesting few weeks for coaches in the NBA - Some shouldering blame and others receiving high praise.

Toronto Raptors Head Coach, Dwane Casey just received the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award as voted on by head coaches around the league. A day or two later, he was fired. Wait, what?

Casey's Raptors had the second-best record in the league this season (ahead of the Warriors) and the number one seed in the East. However, for the third consecutive season, they were knocked out by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Yes, LeBron is one of the premier athletes in the world and one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. Still, a clean sweep did not look good for the Raps. Toronto needed some kind of shake-up to try and get over this LeBron-shaped hump that seems to keep them from reaching their potential.

Still, a pretty wild end to Dwane Casey's 7-year tenure with the Raptors. His dismissal after sustained success in Toronto exemplifies the volatility of the head coach position. Unfortunately it seems to serve as a scapegoat for many organizations year after year.

The highs of coaching - Brad Stevens

Coaches may receive a lot of the blame when things go wrong, as Dwane Casey did. Unfortunately they do not always get the praise when things are finally going right, because that is simply their expectation.

Furthering the example of volatility in coaching - Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics is receiving very high praise for what his young squad is accomplishing.

To start the Celtics season, they lost Gordon Hayward (Stevens' old player in his Butler days) to a gruesome ankle injury in their first game. They made the playoffs anyway, but lost All-Star Kyrie Irving to an injury before they started.

“As a coach I think that’s one of the things we have to exude: the ability to move on regardless of the result.”
— Brad Stevens

Despite all this, they have moved on to the Eastern Conference finals, with their coach receiving much of the credit for guiding their very young team. Steven is deserving, but too often coaches are treated as lesser parts of their teams. It is always good to see good coaches recognized.

Around the league

The good news for Dwane Casey is that he will have a long list of teams that will be interested in his services. Other top coaches this year such as Stevens, Gregg Popovich, and Mike D'Antoni will be recognized and given the opportunity to stay with their squads.

76ers coach Brett Brown has garnered a lot of recognition for finally having a successful year after many organized seasons of tanking. Upon losing to the Celtics in the playoffs, he said a few days later that he believed the team needed help. ESPN jumped on him like crazy for making such a comment even though they agreed.

Life as a coach is tough.

David Fizdale has been named the head coach of the New York Knicks, Sixers assistant Lloyd Peirce was named as coach of the Atlanta Hawks, and the New Orleans Hornets hired Spurs assistant James Borrego.

Job security is a fickle thing at the pro level, but hey, the paychecks are pretty nice. A lot of these highs and lows of coaching apply all the way down to coaching kids. It can be very rewarding but also pretty tough. Coaches, hang in there. Players and parents, take it easy on 'em. They are doing a tough job the best they can.

Defensive physicality: A Rob Yanders specialty

The Basketball Movement is a place that encompasses every aspect of the game - from offensive skill, defense, and beyond.

Rob Yanders, founder of The Basketball Movement, is always pushing his players to be the best men and women they can be. On and off the court, TBM prepares players to be disciplined, respectful team players.

There are many lessons to be learned out on the hardwood. Robert taught me (@WilHarrington) multiple lessons through the sport of basketball. One that stood out to me as a relatively under-sized player was defensive toughness and physicality.

Rob is not the biggest player himself, so he can bring perspective to players of all sizes. In his career (and still today), he played like a player much bigger than he is.

Robert taught me about defensive toughness the hard way

I was invited to one of Rob's many camps one Summer when I was probably 14 or 15 years old. I had been playing for a while at this point, but still certainly had plenty left to learn.

Skill-wise, I was a little behind most of the players at the camp. I was among the shorter players there as well, so I was feeling like I had a lot to prove. As always, Robert had us doing unique and engaging drills that had players visibly improving with each passing moment.

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Towards the end of the day, we started doing more "game scenario" drills that acted as small scrimmages. Rob is a pretty hands-on teacher, so he inserted himself in some of these drills, often matched up with myself since he is a guard.

He kicked my butt.

I was a pretty quick kid, but he managed to make me look like I had cement blocks for shoes. He kept one hand on me at all times, which is common to keep track of the player being guarded. What was uncommon was the firmness of that stiff-arm. Without fouling, he managed to dictate my every move.

He also used his body to establish a strong based and plant himself in front of me everywhere I tried to go. I felt like a big, strong post-player was shadowing me on the perimeter - it was exhausting and frustrating as an offensive player.

So what to do?

I could have plowed through him and starting picking up offensive fouls (in a drill...), but I decided to just soak up what he was doing to me and make mental notes of everything.

We finished the day with a full court 5-on-5 scrimmage. I did not start in the game but was prepared to make an impact coming off of the bench. 

A lot of the players I guarded were not only bigger than me, but at least as fast. I kept a strong hand on them at all times and tried to be a pest, cutting them off everywhere they turned and staying low. I picked up some charges and was able to prevent my man from doing what he wanted.

I carried that defensive physicality and tenacity forward as a player, eventually being known as a defensive specialist - an important piece to any team.

I have said this before, but I will continue to say it again and again: Parents, get your kids involved with Robert Yanders and The Basketball Movement. It helped me grow as a player and in my discipline and toughness as a person. Contact us here to make this happen as soon as possible.

 

Maintaining a "next play" mentality

Basketball is unique from other major sports with its non-stop action. It is important to keep your head up at all times.

In football, when the person with the ball gets tackled, you regroup and set up a new play to try again. After so many attempts, you either score or give up the ball to head to the sidelines for a while. In baseball, you strikeout or hit, then get a lengthy break.

Basketball is different.

If you miss a shot in basketball, you either need to attempt to rebound your own miss or be ready to sprint back on defense. There is not always time to regroup after a miss and especially not after a turnover.

Let's say you have back-to-back turnovers; is there time to hang your head and feel bad for yourself or feel embarrassed? I think you know where we are going with this.

Keep your head up and move on to the next play

Shooting slumps happen. Consecutive lapses in judgement happen. That is just part of the sport of basketball. When these things affect your mentality or your hustle, that is when you actually have a problem on your hands.

It may be tempting to hang your head when things are not going your way. There are a few big problems with that. Your teammates will see that and lose trust, your coach may see and pull you out, or the other team may see and gain confidence.

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.”
— Michael Jordan

The best thing that you can do is instantly focus on the next play. Just stay in the zone and play the game that you have been practicing and practicing. If it results in a defensive stop, you will regain some confidence. If you work to get a layup, it may breed confidence in your shots from every range.

The "next play" mentality is relevant at all levels of the game. You will miss a lot of shots in your career, which will allow lots of opportunities to bounce back. Stay ready and seize those opportunities.

Playing on either side of a blowout

In your basketball career, you will undoubtedly be a part of a few blowout games on one side or the other.

We hope that you will always be on the winning side, but that may not always be the case. Sometimes you will be on a team that is heavily outmatched; maybe things just were not clicking for you at all.

Being down by so many points can be disheartening. No one wants to lose so badly in front of their fans and peers. The desire to not let this happen though is an important piece of competitive spirit. We are not saying that avoiding getting blown out should be top-of-mind entering a game, but if it starts looking that way, then it should probably click.

"Blown out" sounds a little subjective. It could mean different things to players at each level of the game. For the NBA it may mean 20 to 25-plus points or so. For NCAA, more like 15 to 20-plus, since the game is a slower pace. High school is played at many different levels, but that 15-20 range likely is not too far off depending on how early it happens.

What to do if your team is getting blown out

If you find yourself in this situation, there is no need to panic OR hang your head. Large deficits happen frequently, and occasionally, they are overcome. Check a recent example by the OKC Thunder in the NBA Playoffs. The Thunder were down 25 in the third quarter.

The number one thing that you can do for your team in these situation is to continue playing hard. The fans will see it, the coach will see it, and your teammates will see it. Set an example for the rest of your team by playing through and attempting to come back.

Who knows, you may just pull an upset. Such wins are often the most memorable, so do not pass up such an opportunity.

What if you are the team that is applying the beatdown?

Basketball is at its best when played between two evenly matched teams that take the contest down to the wire. It is more entertaining and more fun (though comebacks are pretty great).

In many situations, how to proceed in such times is dictated by the coach. Are the teams so mismatched that you could pour it on as much as possible? Is the other team a threat to come back and need to be kept a arm's length?

Continuing to play hard in a blowout is not a bad thing, but it is a better opportunity to play right. If you are up by so much that it ceases to be fun for either team, it is a great time to focus on fundamentals and run through your playbook in a game-time situation for excellent practice. Never pass up an opportunity to improve.

For more on the sport we all love, keep it locked to The Basketball Movement and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

Playing for a tough coach or with a tough teammate

You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't always pick your teammates or coach. Or something like that.

If you have played a sport for any length of time, you have likely already encountered either a tough coach or teammate. Teams consist of many different styles, attitudes, and demeanors. In some ways, this is what makes team sports special. Sometimes though, it can be really hard to adjust to.

You will have teammates over the years that will not play hard. Some may not even have any desire to play at all. Some will hog the ball, others may pick on you at practice. These things will seem very difficult to get over in the moment, but in the long term, you will be better for it. Not only as a player, but as a person.

These people will not be limited to sports, but all aspects of life. You will experience many of the same personality traits someday at work, or in social situations. Learning to roll with the punches and taking the high road is not easy, but it is a key part of growth.

“Ask not what your teammates can do for you, ask what you can do for your teammates.”
— Magic Johnson

Not meshing with your coach

Not always getting along with teammates is one thing. Those are your peers that you share many of the same circumstances with. Even more difficult is experiencing a coach that rubs you the wrong way or that you do not see eye-to-eye with.

It is easier said than done, but this situation must be treated similarly to the teammate issue above. Taking the high road in a situation where you are the subordinate is a very backwards-feeling scenario.

If your coach is on you for no reason, stand tall and do not let him/her get a rise out of you. If you are not getting minutes or situations that you deserve, keep grinding until everyone in the gym can clearly see the mistake. Learning to turn the other cheek to those in positions of authority will pay off exponentially as far as your growth as a person.

Know when things have gone too far

Standing tall and not retaliating is the go-to response when you encounter these tough situations. That does not mean that you should just allow yourself to be bullied or harassed. If you feel that things have gone to far with a teammate, bring it up to them. If that does not resolve the issue, it may be time to approach the coach.

If the coach is the problem, discuss it with someone that you trust. A lot of coaches are intense people, and it may just be that they get a bit too passionate about the sport or getting the most out of their players. If it is going beyond that or becoming personal, it may be time to voice your concerns to someone with the ability to resolve the situation.

For examples of great coaches, a player-first atmosphere, and a true team mentality, you are in the right place and Robert Yanders is your man. Contact The Basketball Movement to get involved in our program!