Keeping up with We Are United

As Rob Yanders prep school, We Are United continues its inaugural campaign, make sure that you do not miss anything.

The Basketball Movement is the home of We Are United prep, a school formed by Robert Yanders that is elevating the local hoops scene like never before. Behind the scenes, Yanders is working tirelessly to ensure his student-athletes receive the education they need and the care they deserve. When the lights come on and the opening tip is underway, that is when you the fan can see the product.

Where is the best place to see these things? For starters: The Basketball Movement. Contact us if you want to catch these up-and-comers in action, and we will let you know the best time to do so!

You can also check out weareunitedbasketball.com for the program’s tentative schedule as well as player bios, coach bios, and more.

The easiest way to keep up with the action is across social media. The Basketball Movement posts some We Are United content, but the school has its own pages as well. Check out the Instagram here.

We Are United is also on Twitter! Check out the Twitter page here and give Head Coach Rob Yanders a follow while you are there, as he posts We Are United content as well.

Keep up with the movement - you will not be disappointed! For coverage on other prep starts from around the area, stay tuned. The Basketball Movement has a big announcement coming soon about exclusive coverage of high school basketball in Southwest Missouri, and we cannot wait to share it with you.

Follow the movement!

Saturday Clinics at The Basketball Movement

One of our favorite offerings, The Basketball Movement Saturday Clinics, remains in full swing.

The Basketball Movement’s bread and butter is our individual or group skill development training (contact us for more info!). However, not every hooper is ready for intense training, whether due to age or skill level. That is why Rob Yanders implemented Saturday Clinics, an inexpensive way for young players to work on the basics and sharpen their basketball skills.

Every Saturday, the Clinics are held from 9:00-11:00 am unless otherwise posted on our site or social pages.

These mini-camp-style open gyms are for both boys and girls from 2nd to 8th grade. It is $25 to participate. Parents of multiple eligible athletes may be entitled to a discount.

Registration is not necessary, but if you have questions or want to ensure spots, you can call (417) 861-2166 and speak with Coach Craig.

There are no plans for limiting the number of individuals at this time, but as we continue monitoring the impact of the pandemic, we ask that you adhere to best common-sense practices. If possible, we ask that you limit non-participants that come in and practice social distancing as you observe or move about the facility.

Saturday Clinics and are a fun weekend activity that we are thrilled to provide to our community. If you have any further questions, call, or email basketballmovement@yahoo.com

We look forward to seeing you!

We Are United vs. MSU West Plains

Tonight marks a coming home party as Coach Rob Yanders takes his We Are United prep team to his old stomping grounds.

One of the most decorated hoopers to play at MSU West Plains, Robert Yanders, is going back, this time as a coach. Yanders’ newest undertaking, his We Are United prep school, has been a labor of love. Tonight’s game will provide as much love as ever as he reunites with old coaches, his host parents, and one of the gyms he grew as a player in.

Gametime is 7:00 PM Central at Joe Paul Evans Arena

Yanders was a two-time All-American at MSU West Plains and has been inducted into their Hall of Fame. Going back will be a blast, but count on his competitive nature being most prevalent once it is time for tipoff.

“We are looking forward to it,” Yanders says. “I had some of the best times of my life at West Plains, and I am excited to see everyone. I’m also excited for healthy competition for our guys.”

We Are United is 5-1 in-season, and this will be their final game before the Christmas break.

“This should be a fun game and a nice way to finish the year before the break,” Yanders says. “Our players are excited to play and also excited to head back home to be with their families once we take care of business..”

Yanders says that once the players get some deserved R&R, they should be more than ready to go in the new year. Already battle-tested and proven, the best is yet to come for this We Are United team in the school’s inaugural season.

For more on We Are United and all things basketball, keep it locked to The Basketball Movement.

Keeping your head in the game

Knowing and understanding various situations in basketball can be the difference between winning and losing.

There is a lot that goes into understanding the sport of basketball. There is more to it than putting the ball in the hoop. Coaching and experience are two essential pieces involved in this understanding.

The Basketball Movement can help further a player's knowledge about many aspects of the sport. The nuances of ball-handling, shooting, and how to conduct yourself are a few examples.

Game-time situations come at you fast. Sometimes, in those instances, you learn the most, whether you get it right or especially if you get it wrong.

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

Even the most experienced can still falter

For all of your coaching, practice, and game experience, you will still make mistakes. Overplaying passing lanes, trying too hard to thread a pass into the post, the list of possibilities is very long.

A player must keep track of what they can control. Always being aware of the time on the game clock (or shot clock), how many fouls you have, and the score are simple yet important facets of the game.

Even a grizzled NBA veteran like JR Smith can still make basic mistakes. Don't be a JR Smith.

Keep your head in the game and control as much of what happens as you can. Mistakes will happen; the best players often average the most turnovers.

Don't sweat the small stuff, but also do not assume that you will make the correct decisions at all times. Take deep breaths, analyze as much of each situation as time will allow, and play the game.

To continue taking your game to the next level, get in touch with us here at The Basketball Movement.

Big weekend at The Basketball Movement

College signings, We Are United prep’s home opener, and plenty more made for an excellent weekend of hoops.

The Basketball Movement has been a player development hub for years, but this past weekend felt special. Of course, big moments and events frequently happen on our floors, whether it is Angels of the Hardwood, The Basketball Movement Invitational, or even a young player having a breakthrough and making great strides. But, this past weekend felt like a culmination of so much hard work.

For starters, opening things up with our Saturday Clinic always feels good. There is no better way to kick off a weekend than filling the gym with bright-eyed young athletes and coming together to improve and have fun.

This weekend also saw the official college signings for Jonatan Dunn (Missouri State) and Sincere Malone (Eastern Illinois); both have played with Yanders Law and are current We Are United prep athletes.

Not only did these athletes get a nice presentation as they put pen to paper, but they had all of their We Are United teammates with them, emphasizing that unity that we strive for within our facility. Both signings made a fun reminder of what we are all about and how we must strive to celebrate each other’s successes.

We Are United prep also got to host its first-ever home game by going up against Link Year prep. We Are United not only came away with a victory but did it with the kind of balanced attack that coaches can only dream of, and opponents only see in nightmares.

Dunn, Malone, and John Lovelace Jr. all eclipsed the 20-point mark, while almost all of their teammates chipped in with stat lines that would impress in other ways. The most noteworthy stat lines are graphically outlined on We Are United’s Instagram.

In addition to the above, things were broken as always by individual and group workouts. As always, players were improving left and right, serving as the icing on the cake of a fantastic weekend of hoops.

Keep following along, as we are just getting started down here in the basketball Mecca of the Midwest!

We Are United home opener

The highly anticipated home opener for We Are United prep at The Basketball Movement is nearly here.

After months of practices, a slew of intrasquad games, a pair of jamborees, and an invitational tourney, We Are United is ready to host its first home game right here at The Basketball Movement. This Saturday (11/13) at 8:00 PM, you are invited to come check out some of the best prep talent in the area.

We Are United will be taking on what essentially amounts to our neighbors in the prep school world. From right down 65 highway, Link Year prep will be bringing its impressive squad out of Branson, MO.

Being the first season for We Are United, this will be yet another test for Coach Rob Yanders’ squad, as Link has been running its highly successful program for a while, constantly churning out impressive college athletes. The Basketball Movement is honored to host the Link Year Lions.

Having already taken on many impressive squads in the young season, the players for We Are United are excited and up for the challenge.

Seating is first-come-first-served, so show up early, grab a courtside leather seat, and enjoy the fireworks.

You can keep up with the schedule for We Are United here. Also, remember to follow along with the gametime countdown on We Are United’s Twitter and Instagram.

For everything else hoops, you are already in the right place. With NCAA hoops kicking off and the NBA underway, keep checking back with The Basketball Movement for all you need to know about the game you love.

The definition of "united"

The Basketball Movement has standards and expectations, so it is no surprise that Rob Yanders’ We Are United prep is the same.

Robert Yanders is the founder of The Basketball Movement, the Yanders Law AAU program, and now We Are United prep. Rob conducts himself as a man with a code - one that stands out immediately. He cares about his family, his community, and his players. He expects maximum effort because that is what he provides in return. He loves the game of basketball and is successfully using it to better as many people around him as possible.

We Are United prep allows players who are willing to give maximum effort a chance to elevate their standing within the game of basketball. Not only that, they are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and form a bond with like-minded individuals. That bond is a pillar of the program.

The word “united” has several definitions but certainly adheres to one prevailing theme: made one. To be combined or joined. To be joined together for a common purpose. That is what We Are United is all about.

Initially, players attend an institution such as We Are United prep for personal reasons. They want to raise their stock to continue a more desirable path in their personal basketball journey. However, what may not be immediately apparent, but grows over time, is the realization that this is not a journey they can take alone.

First, Rob Yanders and his staff win their trust - that is why they are here in the first place. Rob and his coaches want to help young players succeed. Players that recognize this are already on their way to understanding how necessary unity is in their hoops career.

Next, as they practice each day, sweat, and grind in the trenches alongside teammates, they begin to see that they are not alone. Every single player at We Are United prep has a desire and the will to improve. In this, they are united. Players that are recognized by Yanders and make it to this level are competitive. They are attending a prep school because they refuse the alternatives of settling on their path. In this, they are united.

These guys want to win. To do this, they must form a cohesive, unselfish team. What was once a group of individuals is now a unit. The common purposes blend into one burning desire under the We Are United banner. The better the team, the better the exposure. The better the exposure, the better odds of completing their individual goals.

This is how success is established. This is how hard work can pay off. This is how WE ARE UNITED.

All-American Jamboree: We Are United

En route to a true test and a big opportunity, the We Are United team is gearing up for the All-American Jamboree in Orlando.

Featuring top prep teams from the United States and Canada, the young men of We Are United are in for a big weekend at the All-American Jamboree in Orlando, Florida.

With around 90 teams and over 200 Division 1 coaches expected onsite, the hustle and bustle of this jamboree will be a needed shock to the system for this squad. The stakes are high, and the We Are United staff expects its players to rise to the occasion. Hard work is a staple at The Basketball Movement, and we will see if it pays off early for We Are United’s promising team.

We Are United’s schedule for the weekend is as follows (in Eastern time):

Oct 15th

2:00 PM vs. Central Pointe White PG

5:15 PM vs. IMG National PG

Oct 16th

12:15 PM vs. Central Pointe National HS

7:50 PM vs. Elite Prep PG

Oct 17th

9:00 AM vs. Coastal Prep Red

The team is traveling today. (In style, of course - check Twitter) After a nice stay in Tenessee, they are on to Florida. There will be plenty of action this weekend, so keep up with We Are United and The Basketball Movement as we pass along everything you need to know. For We Are United’s full schedule: check here.

Stay tuned!

We Are United - Coach Sly Yanders

Associate Head Coach Sylvester “Sly” Yanders is doing his part to have the We Are United team ready to roll.

At last, the first season of We Are United hoops is upon us, and the squad is looking prepared. That preparedness is due in no small part to Associate Head Coach Sly Yanders.

Coach Sly is looking forward to the stiff competition that the team will face, but not at the expense of the moment. Like everyone with roots in The Basketball Movement, Sly relishes the process and loves watching players develop on and off the court.

“What we know we can provide is lifelong relationships as these guys develop as friends and teammates,” Sly says. “We can truly see a team forming. They arrived here as individuals, but we’re starting to see their talent as a unit.”

Sly says that the players are working six days a week, often twice a day on shooting, weights, and of course, school work. “We require the same focus on the court as we do with the books,” Yanders says. “These guys aren’t all used to being on their own, and we are making sure they are held accountable.”

Yanders adds that this ongoing accountability is intended to prepare them not only for next steps in basketball but for life. “All the skills we are developing will help them on their next team,” he says. “We want to be able to guarantee that our guys will be positives on their teams.”

Mental toughness is always something that Coach Sly has strived to form in his players. He is also quick to call out his brother, Head Coach Rob Yanders, being a skill trainer like no other.

“Rob has gone all in, getting these guys ready for anything that may be thrown at them,” Sly says. “Rob’s heavy emphasis on skill development is proven. He can develop players that are willing to get better - that is no secret.”

An ongoing theme in speaking with the We Are United coaching staff is no corners cut. “You make it through here? You are ready to survive at a university,” Sly says. “You are ready for anything.”

Check out the upcoming We Are United schedule here and keep it locked to The Basketball Movement for more inside scoops.

We Are United - Coach AJ Green

A staple trainer of The Basketball Movement, AJ Green is ready for his role as Assistant Coach for We Are United prep.

A trainer for The Basketball Movement for some time now, AJ Green is taking on more responsibility as an Assistant Coach for We Are United. While the breadth of his tasks has expanded, he says that much of the job content remains similar.

“I’m really just making sure that these guys are taken care of,” Green tells The Basketball Movement. “I am just doing my part to make sure that things flow smoothly for everybody else.”

That selfless dedication to the players is a big part of why AJ was named Assistant Coach in the first place.

Green says that things are going well with the team. “We have seen a lot of growth from day one ‘til now,” he says. “There is still a long way for these boys to go, but we have already seen improvements as players as well as young men in general. I’m excited to see where we’ll be when the season officially starts.”

With the players and coaches, many different personalities are coming together at We Are United. Green believes that they will all grow from each other into a well-oiled machine.

“I am just really looking forward to seeing the growth of the team - where they start to where they finish,” Green says. “Any coach wants to see a different team compared to what they started with.”

Coach Green is not a rookie in what he describes as “The Movement culture.” The Basketball Movement is home to We Are United, which means that the tried-and-true philosophies still apply.

“What we bring is not just basketball,” Green says. “As these players go from us to other coaches or even out to the real world, we want people to see more mature young men and women than they would have seen before. In the next few years, we want to make sure these guys are ready for life outside of basketball as well.”

The mission of We Are United shines brightly through Assistant Coach AJ Green. The product everyone will see on the court soon will have his imprint on it, and we are proud of that.

Stay tuned right here for more on We Are United and the world of hoops.

We Are United Prep - Jake Martin

The Basketball Movement recently caught up with We Are United’s man in the middle, Jake Martin.

A seven-foot-one center, Jake Martin is a commanding presence for Robert Yanders’ We Are United Prep. Or at least, that is the goal. The words “seven-footer” are magic in the hoops world. Coach and recruiter ears perk up, opponents double-take, and the word big comes with the territory.

For Jake Martin, size is just one piece of the puzzle as he takes things one step at a time.

A product of the Phenom U AAU club, Martin hails from White Water, Wisconsin (about an hour out of either Milwaukee or Madison). His coach, Jose Winston, is a friend of Yanders going back to high school.

Last year, Martin attended The Basketball Movement Invitational, so he was already familiar with the facility and atmosphere. Once Winston mentioned Rob’s new prep school, Jake gave it a shot.

“I came down and liked it,” Martin says of his visit to We Are United. “Next thing I knew, I was moving down last month.”

Having seen Yanders in action during The Invitational last year was likely helpful in bracing Martin for the intensity of We Are United. “It is tough,” Martin says. “There are definitely times where I am feeling weak and want to quit. But at the same time, I know it is for the best in the long run. I know Rob wants the best for me.”

Currently, Martin says that his focus is on improving in the paint. “I am working on being strong and aggressive,” Martin says. “I want to dominate the post.”

As for the team dynamic, Martin says that things are coming together. “We have 12 new people that have not played together,” Martin says. “We are figuring out roles and finally figuring out each other’s strong suits. By our first game, we will be a pretty good team.”

Asked to describe the atmosphere at We Are United prep, Martin gives a slight shrug. “Not to sound cheesy, but united,” Martin says. “We are all here for the same goal. We are standing up for each other and pushing each other. Making each other the best athletes and also the best humans we can be.”

Stay tuned as We Are United’s inaugural season draws closer!

We Are United schedule, roster, and more

Looking for more information on Robert Yanders’ prep school, We Are United? The Basketball Movement has you covered.

Since announcing his prep school, Rob Yanders has been fielding questions about We Are United. The Basketball Movement and We Are United are in an exciting time, in which we can show as well as we can tell. The team does not have closed practices - anyone is welcome to come marvel at their leisure.

More excitingly, official games will be starting soon enough. The schedule is shown below:

Screenshot 2021-09-28 3.13.48 PM.png

This schedule has been pulled from weareunitedbasketball.com, where you can also find the complete roster, list of coaches, information on the school, and more.

The Basketball Movement has been conducting interviews with a few of the student-athletes of We Are United. Keep clicking around this blog to check them out.

There are more interviews coming as well, highlighted by coaches such as Sly Yanders. So keep an eye out here and across our social media as we cover We Are United and all other movement around the world of hoops.

We Are United Prep - John Lovelace

Another big baller from Milwaukee, John Lovelace Jr., is ready to up his game with We Are United.

Robert Yanders’ Milwaukee connections have paid off in a big way once again, helping We Are United prep to land 6’7” combo forward, John Lovelace Jr., who is looking great with the fall semester underway. Classes have started, and intense practices have been firing on all cylinders. We Are United is looking game-ready with guys like Lovelace ready to roll.

“Classes are going good,” reports Lovelace. “It is different, but I was mostly doing remote work due to COVID until the end of my senior year anyway.” On the court, Lovelace is seeing plenty of growth as well. “Basketball is going well. I’m getting better and more confident each day I’m here.”

Lovelace says that becoming more confident has been a point of emphasis as he works on his game. “I’ve also been working on getting to my spots and scoring consistently from them.”

In a previous interview with The Basketball Movement, Lovelace noted that he has dreams of playing basketball professionally. With his size and skill, it certainly seems like he can go as far as his work ethic takes him.

Of We Are United, Lovelace says that he likes it here a lot. “(Coach Yanders) is training us not just to be great basketball players, but men as well.”

With a good head on his shoulders and all of the physical tools to succeed, the sky is the limit for John Lovelace Jr. Stay tuned to The Basketball Movement for more on We Are United prep.

We Are United Prep - Jeremiah Dotson

Another up-and-comer for We Are United prep, Jeremiah Dotson, is elevating his game.

Jeremiah Dotson is a 6’6 forward for We Are United prep. With a demeanor that screams hooper, Dotson has spent his time at We Are United wisely, getting better on and off the hardwood.

Classes are going great, according to Dotson. Basketball is going well, too, though expectations are at an all-time high. “It is definitely different from high school,” Dotson says. “It is way more intense, way more work.”

Consistency has been a point of emphasis during that work for Jeremiah so far. “I am working on being more confident shooting the three,” Dotson says. “I’m focusing on keeping the same form every time.”

For the second interview in a row, a player described the atmosphere around We Are United as being family-like. The Basketball Movement and now, by extension, We Are United, has always focused on rewarding hard-workers with camaraderie and a place that they feel they belong. We are excited to see that bleeding through into this young program.

Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dotson comes from the same neck of the woods as Head Coach Robert Yanders. Milwaukee crafted Yanders into the relentless worker that he is. Dotson sees that in his coach and can use it to grow.

“(Rob) is going to push us to our limits,” Dotson says. “Well… past our limit. Everything is going great here overall.”

We are excited to see Dotson and his teammates in action soon. Stay tuned to The Basketball Movement for updates and follow We Are United on Twitter and Instagram!

We Are United Prep - Isaiah Davis

We Are United Prep is in full swing at The Basketball Movement. We sat down with student-athlete Isaiah Davis to see how things were going.

Isaiah Davis is a 6’6” guard/forward for We Are United Prep. Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, he brings plenty of skill to bolster the We Are United team, preparing to enter its first season in just a few short weeks.

Davis says that classes are going well. He confesses that doing work online and communicating with instructors seemed difficult at first but is mostly just different. His on-court experience has been a change as well.

“We have been working hard,” Davis says. “But it has been really good. We are getting ready to compete at the highest level.”

In particular, Davis says that he has been focusing on off-the-ball work more than ever before. “I've been focusing on moving without the ball, setting hard screens, and creating for my teammates,” Davis says. Working with his teammates and coaches has established what he describes as a “family-based” atmosphere.

“Everyone at We Are United is hard-working,” Davis says. “Work hard or go home, really. It is all or nothing here - no one can come with half effort.”

The hard work is already paying off as Isaiah Davis and his We Are United teammates visibly improve with each passing day. They still have a few weeks of preparation before games begin and apear to be right on track.

Using size to your advantage

Basketball players come in many shapes and sizes. Each variety can be used to a player's advantage.

For a long time, basketball was closed off to only the biggest individuals at its highest levels. Throwing it into the post to let your bruiser back their way to the cup was the most effective form of offense. Times have changed.

The game itself has evolved, as has our understanding of what it takes to win. For example, Foul-calling and three-pointers have been equalizers. Also, the general, widespread knowledge of what it takes to succeed at smaller sizes.

It still certainly helps to be big, but now more than ever, smaller players have opportunities to compete as well.

Guards can use skill and speed

Perimeter players can be light or on the shorter side while still achieving success. A great shot can go a long way in the sport of basketball. Ball-handling and passing as well. A taller player may get a better view of the floor, but being lower to the ground often means improved ball-handling prowess and bounce pass options.

There are numerous examples of shorter players experiencing great success at all levels of the game. For example, the Basketball Movement's Rob Yanders played professionally with grit and savvy rather than overpowering opponents with strength and size - though quickness and toughness helped.

Post players aren't going anywhere

Just because it is easier to be an undersized baller does not mean that post-play is out the door. A surplus of height or even extra (managed) weight/muscle is always an intimidating factor on the court.

The taller you are, the closer you are to the rim. Offense and defense both become a bit easier with height. The top rim-protectors have always been tall with an above-average wingspan.

Even if you are on the bigger side, but height isn't part of the equation, there are ways to succeed. The bigger you are, the more you will be able to impose your will on smaller players.

Not too big, but not too small?

You can definitely work with this too. Being somewhere in-between means that you may be able to match up with multiple positions.

A well-rounded skill set will help you use your size on the perimeter or hang with the bigs down low.

The Basketball Movement is the ideal place to maximize your potential and learn to take advantage of your stature - no matter what that may be. So contact us to schedule some time into your Summer to step up your game with our great coaches and facility!

Elite Guard Camp recap

The first-ever Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp has concluded following a successful weekend.

The Basketball Movement is proud to have hosted the first Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp this past weekend, which included 106 young men from 6th-12th grade.

“It was a great camp,” Rob Yanders says. “I believe this was an excellent way to fine-tune the needed skills for elite guards, which was exactly what we set out to do.”

Fundamental basketball was at the camp’s core, a staple for this kind of event put on by Yanders. Constant work and the fine-tuning of fundamentals are vital in any sport, let alone the tools necessary to become an “elite” guard.

“Everything we do, every station we have at a camp like this is bringing out skills that will apply to in-game situations,” Yanders says. “From there, we wanted to see those skills transfer into those situations through 1vq, 2v2, and 3v3 play. It got competitive. All the players we had wanted to learn and get better.”

After the camp’s success, Yanders mentioned that there could be a girl’s elite guard camp if he determined there would be enough interest. Until then, he did say a shooting camp in the pipeline in just a few short months, so follow us to keep an eye out for any announcements.

“We were very pleased to get all these guys in here ahead of school ball to sharpen their skills,” Yanders says. “I want to thank everyone that came out and especially the trainers and coaching staff that did a fantastic job as always.”

Check out clips and images on The Basketball Movement’s Instagram page, and keep checking back here for everything basketball.

Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp this weekend!

The Basketball Movement is gearing up to host the first-ever Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp.

For the first time, Robert Yanders and The Basketball Movement are putting on a guard-specific camp to hone the skills needed to play the position at an elite level. The action starts tomorrow!

The camp was created with the intention of enhancing existing skills - this is for serious players only. This is specifically for guards that wish to achieve an elite level of play.

Slated for September 4th and 5th, the camp will be for boys from 6th grade to 12th. Activities will be broken up into 6th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade groups. Below is the anticipated schedule:

Saturday, September 4th

6th-8th Grade: 12:00-3:00pm

9th-12th Grade: 3:00-6:00pm

Sunday, September 5th

6th-8th Grade: 1:00-3:00pm

9th-12th Grade: 3:00-5:00pm

Rob Yanders is regarded by many as the top basketball trainer in this part of the country. Additionally, there are few more qualified to provide insight into the guard position.

As a point guard himself, Yanders was successful at the highest levels - three-time state champion, HS All-American, nationally ranked HS team, junior college All-American, Division 1 Missouri Valley All-Conference player, Team USA member, four-time European champion, and British national team member.

Above all, Yanders is a servant of others. We are looking forward to helping some young men get better this weekend. Stay tuned to The Basketball Movement here and on Twitter and Instagram as we roll out media from the camp. See you tomorrow!

We Are United prep is underway

We Are United prep is underway in its inaugural school year, with all young men reporting for duty.

NIXA, Mo — Monday afternoon, August 23rd at The Basketball Movement. Following a four-mile run this morning and a break for lunch and online classes, the first-ever We Are United prep team files back into The Basketball Movement facility.

Some light stretching and shooting later, and Head Coach Rob Yanders divides the players into teams for 5-on-5 runs. Expectations are set as always, and play gets underway. Kanon Gipson (6’3 G) penetrates and makes the offense go for skins, and Jonathan Dunn (6’7 F) bangs a quick outside J for shirts. Yanders observes closely.

Some of these guys have been coming around The Basketball Movement for years. Others are still acclimating to Yanders’ relentless style and level of expectations. The expectations are for these young men to experience on-and-off court growth.

“We are happy they’re here and excited to show them the culture and let them know what we expect,” says Assistant Coach Craig Smith. “Opportunities here are earned. By working hard every day, they can be successful. That is one of the best lessons you can teach a man.”

Rob is the Head Coach, his brother Sly Yanders is Assistant Head Coach, and Craig Smith and Emmanuel Brookshire are the assistants. Rob says that people can expect a hard-working group this season.

“We are excited for these guys to be part of a great community,” Yanders says. “This is not just historic for myself or The Basketball Movement, but for basketball in our area with the addition of this prep school.”

Players are being housed by We Are United in a gated community on the south side of Springfield. Yanders is setting a standard for his program that is unlike anything the area has seen or is likely to see again. Coach Rob takes pride in every bit of his work with basketball and the community; We Are United will receive the same treatment.

September 9th will be an open day for college coaches to evaluate this crop of guys. Yanders reports that he has been fielding calls from programs around the country that are taking interest. We will keep you up to date right here on developments, offers, and chatter.

For everything We Are United - keep it locked to The Basketball Movement.

Definition of elite

The Basketball Movement breaks down the definition of elite - a word that often gets misused.

The Basketball Movement recently announced the first-ever Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp. This new camp is designed to enhance existing skills and is for guards who intend to achieve an elite level of play. What does it truly mean, though, to be elite?

The Oxford Languages definition of elite: “a select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society.”

So, elite does not have to be one individual. You do not have to be the best to be considered elite, but you need to stand out from your peers as superior. In our world, that means having advanced basketball skills in addition to the necessary mentality to maintain and expand upon your status.

Not every player that comes through our gym doors is elite - not by a long shot. Elite is not a requirement at The Basketball Movement. But the hunger to become elite? An intrinsic drive to improve yourself and overtake your peers on the court? Not only do we encourage that, but the lack of such drive may get called out. We do not like to see you or your parent’s hard-earned money going to waste.

For larger-scale events such as the Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp, we cannot evaluate the mentality of every single player. However, through the course of the camp, the cream will rise to the top as it always does. Even those that do not stand out have the opportunity for drastic improvement as long as they maintain the desire to be elite. Becoming so is a jog, not a sprint.

That said if your kid cannot make a layup, do not try to sign them up, but also try not to be discouraged. The players we expect at these camps have already put time and effort into their hoops journey. Once a player has shown commitment to this journey and puts in some necessary work, we will talk.

Player and person growth and development is what The Basketball Movement is all about. Our goals are an extension of who Rob Yanders is and what he strives for. Not everyone can be elite, but the journey can make us all better.