2023 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions

The 2023 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions is finally here, and The Basketball Movement has your inside scoop.

One of the biggest high school tournaments in the country, the 2023 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions has tipped off. The action began last night, continues today, and concludes with the championship this Saturday, January 14th, at 9:00 pm.

A full tournament bracket can be found below:

Christ the King is a basketball program out of Queens, New York, that features 2025 guard Kiyan Anthony, son of NBA star Carmelo Anthony. Brandon Williams (2023) is a UCLA commit, Brandon Gardner (2023) is a St. Johns commit, and junior Dwayne Pierce holds offers from Mizzou, Florida State, and St. Johns.

Bartlett High is a relatively younger squad with an impressive junior class - Jack Shackelford, Christian Alston, and Rashad Williams all hold mid-major D1 offers, as does senior Javar Daniel. 2025 KJ Neville already holds multiple offers as well.

Link Academy (MO) is set to open the eyes of area basketball fans that have yet to see the squad in action. The team has too many impressive players to name, sporting commitments to UNC, Baylor, Memphis, LSU, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. So just come out and see for yourself as these players make their mark as one of the top prep programs in the nation.

St. Rita (IL) has another excellent crop of juniors with James Brown (not that James Brown, UNC commit), Morez Johnson (Illinois commit), and Nojust Indrusaitis (offers from Maryland, Marquette, Iowa State, and Ole Miss). In addition, senior Melvin Bell holds offers from Michigan, Mizzou, Iowa, and Illinois.

Sunrise Christian is another top-10 national program. Out of Bel-Aire, Kansas, they are coming off of a win against IMG Academy. With another lineup almost too impressive to break down here, it will feature Matas Buzelis (2023), who has committed to playing for the NBA G-League Ignite. Layden Blocker (Arkansas commit) and Scotty Middleton (Ohio State commit) are the other most notable seniors, while Mikel Brown Jr (2025) and 7’2 John Bol (2024) are players to watch as well.

Kickapoo is the lone Springfield, Missouri representative in the tournament this year. Sometimes those hometown fans can push the local guys enough to make some real noise, as we saw with Parkview last season. Kickapoo is led by seniors Brayden Shorter (Washburn commit) and Harrison Doennig (offer from Evangel).

Staley (Kansas City, MO) rounds out the Missouri teams and will lean on seniors Kayden Fish (Iowa State commit), Kyan Evans (Colorado State commit), and Cameron Manyawu (offers from Oral Roberts, Indiana State, Valpo, and more).

Calvary Christian Academy (FL) was a pre-season top-25 team nationally that will get a great chance here to prove itself. Memphis commit Carl Cherenfant (2023) is their top player. In addition, point guard Jaylen Curry (2023) holds offers from several big programs, and 6’10 junior Ethan Lathan is undoubtedly a player to watch.

Pursue your passion at The Basketball Movement

We encourage everyone to pursue their passion. If yours is basketball: you couldn’t be in a better place.

Each individual is gifted with a unique array of preferences, strengths, and interests. To maximize strengths, cater to preferences, and pursue interests is to seek a happy and successful experience in life. Woah… got deep for a second there. All that is to say that you need to do what makes you happy.

If you are reading this, you likely have some sort of tie to the game of basketball. Noting that it is a game is often important, but at the same time, it is a true passion for many people.

Whether you play the game, watch it, coach, ref, or just like to play 2K, the game has something for everyone. The back-and-forth action is perfect for getting the adrenaline pumping. The mix of speed and strength, brute force and finesse, or offensive versus defensive prowess means that no game will be the same. The constant is two teams that want to win and maybe even more so: don’t want to lose.

The Basketball Movement keeps its doors open for all kinds of players. Multi-sport athletes looking to get in shape can certainly come in and get in intense workouts. Players that just need to stay sharp with occasional drills or with our shooting gun are always welcome. Though the facility accommodates so many types of players, it was clearly built for those that are passionate about the game.

Rob Yanders, Founder of The Basketball Movement, is one of those individuals that are passionate about the sport of basketball. It is evident all over the facility. The off-court amenities such as the Chop Shop upstairs, the smart screen in the film room, the embroidered leather seats, everything is detailed in ways that show Rob’s passion for the full breadth of the sport. Still, the true fire for the game blazes on the courts.

The Basketball Movement, Rob Yanders, and the other coaches are all at their absolute best when mixed with other individuals with a true passion for the game.

A desire to improve is good, but a desire to be one of the best is the kind of all-in mentality that it takes to be an elite player. This facility is built so that you get out exactly what you put in. If you leave it all on our courts during workouts, you will improve without a doubt. The change could be subtle or drastic, but rest assured that the passionate will come away better.

Want to make varsity? Play at the D1 level? Get paid to play professional hoops? We can get you there; you will just have to be willing to put in the time and effort.

If basketball is your passion, you have to reach out to us at The Basketball Movement. It is a business, but it is one run by passionate hoop-heads that want little more than to bring others into the fold and maximize their potential on the court or even off of it. You will not regret pursuing your passion for basketball right here at The Basketball Movement.

Why The Basketball Movement?

The Basketball Movement is the premier facility in the Midwest for hoopers to come to and elevate their game.

Many players from this area and beyond have been elevating their game with The Basketball Movement. Those familiar with the local basketball scene see that many of the best players are part of #LawNation (Yanders Law AAU) or have put in time at The Basketball Movement.

Coincidence? C’mon now.

Most of us at The Basketball Movement are parents ourselves and understand the desire to see our children succeed. By now, we have proven that the best way for athletes to experience success is by putting in time at our facility with our elite core of coaches and trainers.

There are many ways to work on basketball skills, but we are confident that we provide the most bang for your buck, not just in Southwest Missouri but in the whole Midwest. Getting your athletes in front of trainers requires an investment no matter where you take them, so why not the most proven talent developers in this part of the country?

The good news? For what The Basketball Movement provides, our pricing system is very reasonable. To get a feel for what that looks like for you or your athlete(s), contact The Basketball Movement. Younger players can also check out our Saturday Clinics to try out our atmosphere before diving into skill development workouts.

Get the most out of your time and money year-round with Rob Yanders and his elite crew of trainers at The Basketball Movement!

We Are United Signings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rob Yanders - Vision to Reality

Tonight is a celebration and a showcase of how Rob Yanders, The Basketball Movement, Yanders Law, and We Are United have elevated our hoops community.

Tonight, college basketball tips off around the country. Millions of fans finally get to see their school’s new squads in action. But, for Rob Yanders, tonight means something a little bit more.

Between Yanders’ from-scratch entities - The Basketball Movement, Yanders Law Basketball, and We Are United prep - he does not have enough screens in his home to watch all his players tonight. ESPN, ESPN+, Fox Sports… there are 16 of his players in action on TV this week. Sixteen.

For Rob Yanders, this is a case of vision turning into reality.

“This is a showcase of our hard work,” Yanders says. “We’ve come so far. The vision has always been to bring basketball to another level in this community.”

Many individuals throughout Southwest MO have Rob’s back. Countless parents and athletes have trusted him with the keys to drive their hoop dreams.

Before there was a prep school or AAU program, there was a man with a vision, opening the doors to a gym by himself. Rob says you first have to show people what you are made of, and then the help comes later. It’s turned into a helluva show.

The opportunities now afforded to the area because of Yanders are often difficult to quantify. However, some concrete figures you can point to is the money saved by community members gaining college scholarships because Rob helped them capitalize on the game they love.

“I am proud of where we are now, especially considering the journey and the battles,” Yanders says. “When you are in the trenches day in, and day out, you don’t always have time to step back and admire what you have built; what you are still building.”

“Tonight is special,” Yanders continues. “I am super excited. I mean, on night one, we have Zach Howell, probably immediately a starter or sixth man playing against Purdue. It’s just wild when you see how far we’ve come in elevating these young men and women.”

Rob has been in the game long enough now that he even has college coaches popping up that are Yanders Law alumni. He has worked with many professional athletes, but these players that have grown up with his programs are undeniably his proudest accomplishments. He takes pride in every achievement they have on and off the court.

Yanders’ footprint on the basketball landscape is increasing exponentially, and he is only getting started. Stay tuned!

Colin Hardrick - We Are United

6’4 combo guard Colin Hardrick is a leader for Rob Yanders’ We Are United prep squad.

We Are United is looking good in the early part of the season. The talent level for Rob Yanders’ crop of players this year is through the roof. Milwaukee's Colin Hardrick is a big piece of why the talent pool is so impressive.

“Things are going well,” Hardrick says about the season. “We are developing and getting better every day. It’s all coming together as we learn each other’s play styles  - we’ve made good strides in the last few weeks.”

Colin is a well-rounded offensive player with tremendous defensive upside at the guard position. However, his main goal for We Are United is to fill a leadership role.

“I can play whatever role puts me in,” Hardrick says. “I can score it, but I like to be pass-first, lead the team, and set the tone for the whole squad.”

Asked how his time at We Are United has helped him improve already, Colin responded the same way as many players we have talked to before him. Coach Yanders and his facilities bring out the best in him as a person as well as a player.

“I have improved tremendously on the court and off the court as a young man,” Hardrick says. “We do hard work here; it’s no joke. Rob pushes us to our limits because he wants the best for us. Owning up to that challenge has been going well for me.”

Colin is holding out for the right fit as a collegiate player. As the season continues, he will undoubtedly get more and more options to choose from.

“My goal this season is to find a fit for me at the next level and, of course, just get better and better,” Hardrick says.

Wherever that fit may be, Colin’s college coaches can expect more than the prototypical freshman basketball player.

“I’m a really good student,” Hardrick says. “I try to be someone that’s great to be around. As a player, I’m someone that works hard and comes in ready to work every single day.”

In his short time running We Are United prep, Rob Yanders is quickly re-affirming himself as a developer of people. He prides himself on that development, but it also can’t happen to players unwilling to WORK.

Colin Hardrick is willing to work.

Follow We Are United on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with highlights from Colin and the entire squad all season long!

Zach Howell Shooting Camp

Young area players are getting an opportunity to learn from one of the best this weekend at The Basketball Movement!

This Saturday (August 20th), The Basketball Movement is proud to host the Zach Howell Shooting Camp, put on by one of the best shooters to come out of SW MO in some time. UW Milwaukee’s Zach Howell, a Springfield Catholic graduate and Yanders Law alumni, is back in town to spread his knowledge and love of the game.

Zach’s camp will be for boys and girls from 3rd grade through 10th. The price is $50 per camper.

3rd-6th grade will be held from 8:00-10:00 AM (8/20)

7th-10th grade will be held from 12:00-2:00 PM (8/20)

Howell has been at his new school in Milwaukee but will be coming back to the area to be around family. Also, the guy cannot seem to stay out of our gym. So when The Basketball Movement’s founder Rob Yanders called with the idea of hosting a camp, Zach said he was all in.

“I have worked with Zach for over 10 years,” says Yanders. “He has been one of the best shooters in the state for a long time. He is an artist at shooting the basketball.”

Yanders continues by saying that he is excited to see Howell lead young people to the next level. “He is someone young kids should aspire to be like AND shoot like,” Yanders says. “As good as he is as a player, he is an even better person.”

Howell says that much of what he learned about the sport came from events like this one and time spent at The Basketball Movement. “Being around Rob and guys like Craig and AJ… these guys all know their stuff,” Howell says. They are great basketball minds and great people. I was lucky to grow up here and attend camps like this one.”

Speaking more with Howell, he says that the camps will be very focused on teaching early on. “We will work on stuff like hand placement on the ball and holding follow-through,” Howell says. “Great shooters have to be great at setting screens and reading screens as well. We’ll hold some competitions towards the end of each session. By the end, the overall winners from each session will get a pair of shoes!”

Sign up using the button below! For more information, contact (417)848-1124

Look inside The Basketball Movement workouts

Take a look at the bread and butter of The Basketball Movement: our skill development workouts and training.

Rob Yanders and his trainers at The Basketball Movement are well known as developers of people. Through the sport, they have grown young people into more confident people and better leaders. Also, folks that come around here tend to get exponentially better at the game of basketball.

The Basketball Movement has many things to offer, but individual or group skill development workouts offered here are what put the movement on the map.

Whether training a professional hooper or working with a group of grade schoolers that need to hone the fundamentals, The Basketball Movement approaches the sport with a seriousness and intensity that gets the very most out of players.

Yanders is hard-nosed, driven, honest, and a true developer of people. He also happens to be one of the elite basketball minds available in this part of the country. Those that have come to Yanders to get better have to be ready to WORK. If they can hang, they will rise above their competition. If you follow basketball in Southwest Missouri, you have seen it for yourself.

High school basketball is one thing, but The Basketball Movement is equipped to train collegiate and professional players as well. With a theater dedicated to film study, room and board, a barber shop, and other amenities modeled after pro facilities, Yanders’ has built something that few others in the Midwest could try to replicate.

To get involved with The Basketball Movement and come get this work, contact us.

Not every player will be up to the sweat-drench, basketball knowledge overload that The Basketball Movement delivers. But, those that have passion for the game and a true desire to improve are welcome. You want to get to the next level, and we can help you. Reach out!

Pro-level workouts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is The Basketball Movement?

The Basketball Movement is the premier facility in the Midwest for hoopers to come to and elevate their game.

Many players from this area and beyond have been elevating their game with The Basketball Movement. Those familiar with the local basketball scene see that many of the best players are part of #LawNation (Yanders Law AAU) or have put in time at The Basketball Movement.

Coincidence? C’mon now.

Most of us at The Basketball Movement are parents ourselves and understand the desire to see our children succeed. By now, we have proven that the best way for athletes to experience success is by putting in time at our facility with our elite core of coaches and trainers.

There are many ways to work on basketball skills, but we are confident that we provide the most bang for your buck, not just in Southwest Missouri but in the whole Midwest. To get your athletes in front of trainers requires an investment no matter where you take them, so why not the most proven talent developers in this part of the country?

The good news? For what The Basketball Movement provides, our pricing system is very reasonable. To get a feel for what that looks like for you or your athlete(s), contact The Basketball Movement. Younger players can also check out our Saturday Clinics to try out our atmosphere before diving into skill development workouts.

Get the most out of your time and money year-round with Rob Yanders and his elite crew of trainers at The Basketball Movement!

NBA prospect - Alfonso Plummer

Working out with the Cleveland Cavaliers today, Alfonso Plummer made sure he was more than prepared.

Alfonso Plummer is represented by Edge Sports Intl., which knows that The Basketball Movement is one of the premier facilities in the country for NBA prep work. Former pro hooper and founder of The Basketball Movement, Rob Yanders has a reputation for opening young athletes’ eyes to what comes next.

In college, Plummer transferred from Utah to Illinois, where he finished his NCAA career. His knack for hitting the long ball followed him everywhere, and he says he is prepared for the jump to the next level. “College is the highest level ahead of the NBA and it mentally and physically prepared me,” Plummer says.

“Shooting is a skill that all teams need,” Plummer says. “I am elite. I am one of the best shooters in the draft.”

Plummer adds that he has all of the intangibles that are necessary such as positivity, work ethic, and being a good teammate. He says that everyone must have those things coming in, so his confidence as a shooter should set him apart.

He is also relentless in moving off the ball, which creates space for teammates. Steph Curry or Klay Thompson-like movement not only helps shooters create shots but helps teammates get shots as well. It is an underrated skill and indicative of a high-motor player.

Besides continuous shooting practice, Plummer says that he is also working on aggressiveness, dribbling, and communication on both sides of the floor.

NBA scouts do not miss much, so Plummer is confident that his shooting prowess is already a given. “(Scouts) know my shooting,” Plummer says. “I do it off-balance, catch-and-shoot, coming off screens…”

The details that are harder to gather from quick film studies of college highlights are what can make or break some draftees. Plummer knows that there are plenty of takeaways from his play that can work to his advantage.

“I am great at creating space,” Plummer says. “I’m also efficient; you cannot leave me open. I am a better finisher than I was last year too. I make the right reads and I can score but also make my teammates better.”

In his brief time around Rob Yanders, Alfonso Plummer has already been able to elevate his already impressive game.

“It has been great,” Plummer says. “It has been for a short time but (Yanders) is a great guy. He is humble and makes me feel comfortable. He is very intense and has helped my aggressiveness. He’s also very focused on details. I am definitely more prepared now than I was a month ago. I’m grateful that he’s done that for me.”

There may be no substitute for the nervous energy players have at an official NBA workout. That said, no trainer or facility brings players as close as The Basketball Movement. We wish Alfonso the best of luck working out for the storied Cleveland Cavaliers organization!

We Are United - Ishmeal David

Another We Are United prep commitment rolls in - this time, it is St. Paul, Minnesota’s Ishmeal David.

6’3 athletic wing Ishmeal David has been added to We Are United prep’s 2022-23 roster after his recent commitment. David brings playmaking, a good offensive feel, and stout perimeter defense to Rob Yanders’ squad.

David describes himself as a great kid to be around and “a pretty cool guy.” On the court, he says that coaches have praised him for defense that is more than pretty cool. “Coaches tell me I’m a force to be reckoned with,’” David says.

In addition to his defense, Ishmeal says that he brings plenty on the offensive end of the floor. “I’m very unselfish and know when and when not to force things,” David says. Regarding areas he is currently working on, he mentioned aggression on offense and understanding the game better in terms of spacing.

David says that he chose the prep route to expand his knowledge of the game of basketball and become a better player. He has come to the right place.

First impressions of Head Coach Rob Yanders quickly tell players that visit The Basketball Movement all they need to know. He does not hide his tenacity or his expectations for players that may attend We Are United.

“He demands a lot from his players,” David says of Yanders. “Out of the gate, he is very intense. I think that will gel very well with me, actually.”

Overall, Yanders was why Ishmeal David chose We Are United for his next step. “I have seen things from Coach Yanders - he has gotten players to the next level, and that is my goal,” David says.

We are excited to see Ishmeal in action and be a part of his basketball journey. We will do our part to help him achieve his dreams! Follow along right here at thebasketballmovement.com for more.

Remembering Jeremiah Dotson

The Basketball Movement family mourns the loss of We Are United prep’s, Jeremiah Dotson.

There are truly no words to express the tragedy of a young life lost. However, the post below by We Are United’s official account does as good a job as is possible.

The Basketball Movement echoes those sentiments and asks everyone to be patient with We Are United, Yanders Law, and The Basketball Movement family going forward as we work through these difficult times. Please respect Jeremiah’s family’s privacy also. They are all in our thoughts and prayers, and we hope in yours as well.

Rest in peace, Jeremiah.

Workout with The Basketball Movement

This St. Patrick’s Day, we want you to know how to get the most out of your “green.” When it comes to hoops, at least.

Many of the hoopers from this area and beyond have been elevating their game with The Basketball Movement. Those familiar with the local basketball scene see that many of the best players are part of #LawNation (Yanders Law AAU) or have put in time at The Basketball Movement.

We assure you, this is not due to luck (sorry, St. Pat).

Most of us at The Basketball Movement are parents ourselves and understand the desire to see our children succeed. By now, we have proven that the best way for athletes to experience success is by putting in time at our facility with our elite core of coaches.

There are many ways to work on basketball skills, but we are confident that we provide the most bang for your buck, not just in Southwest Missouri but in the whole Midwest. To get your athletes in front of trainers requires green no matter where you take them, so why not the most proven talent developers in this part of the country?

The good news? For what The Basketball Movement provides, our pricing system is very reasonable. To get a feel for what that looks like for you or your athlete(s), contact The Basketball Movement. Younger plays can also check out our Saturday Clinics to try out our atmosphere before diving into skill development workouts.

Get the most out of your green not just St. Patrick’s Day, but year-round with Rob Yanders and his elite crew of trainers at The Basketball Movement.

The process before the promise

Jeremiah Dotson of We Are United prep has received an offer from West Plain Junior College.

After putting in WORK with Robert Yanders and We Are United prep, Jeremiah Dotson has received an offer from a Division 1 Jr College (NJCAA Region 16) just down the road. West Plains has a history of recognizing hard workers and slept-on talent, so this offer for JDot should come as no surprise.

“He has been one of the best at embracing the process,” Head Coach Rob Yanders says of his We Are United athlete. “He likes this offer, and I believe the fit would be a good one. But, as always, that is for him to decide.”

Wherever Dotson commits, he says that they will be getting a hard worker and someone they can count on to be “the same guy every day.”

“It has been a long, hard process being able to get better,” Dotson says. “I have really been finding myself (at We Are United) and discovering my true position.”

In addition to his on-court acumen, Dotson has found himself developing as a person under Rob Yanders. “It has really prepared me for life after basketball,” Dotson says.

Originally from Brown Deer, Wisconsin, finding himself in Springfield, Missouri, has invigorated Dotson much the same way it did for Milwaukee’s Rob Yanders years ago. An offer from West Plains makes for a nice full-circle moment for one of the most all-in players that Yanders has in his We Are United program.

Dotson is already a steady rebounder and has the ability to play around the rim on both ends of the floor. He says he is focusing on his low-post game, and we are excited to see his continued improvement as he contemplates his next steps.

Congratulations, Jeremiah! We will be in our corner no matter your decision!

Introducing The Basketball Movement Exclusive

Robert Yanders is proud to announce the launch of The Basketball Movement Exclusive

The Basketball Movement Exclusive is your portal to the very best content Southwest Missouri has to offer in prep hoops. Boys and girls basketball is flourishing at the high school level in this area. The Basketball Movement is narrowing its scope and making sure you local hoop-heads do not miss a thing.

As a member of The Basketball Movement Exclusive, you would be granted access to articles, photos, and videos that highlight the very best area high school hoops have to offer. Articles will feature area tournaments, standout players, notable performances, and more. Rob Yanders’ local player rankings are live on The Basketball Movement Exclusive as well.

Photos and videos will be flooding these pages. For previews, check out all the latest highlights on The Basketball Movement’s Instagram. If you like what you see there - buckle up. All content on our social media is just a teaser for what is included with The Basketball Movement Exclusive.

This is a player-focused experience that highlights the best of the Midwest. Give it a shot and come see why you need to be a part of the newest hoops movement!

Establishing a support system

In basketball and life, you are going to need a support system. The further you want to go, the more critical it becomes.

Whether it is 100 people or just one person, you will need a support system of some kind as you advance in your basketball career. You may already have a circle, but is it filled with individuals who genuinely support and want the best for you?

Yes, your mama can be your support system. Yes, a teacher, friend, or coach can be your support system. It doesn’t matter who it is as long as they are honest, supportive, and willing to have your back. Taking any path in life by yourself will be exponentially more difficult than doing it with the support of others. Even more challenging is going through life surrounded by the wrong people.

Individuals can, unfortunately, be toxic in many different ways. There are those that scheme and undermine you intentionally, though it may not always be immediately apparent. Sometimes people just don’t want you to succeed and will work behind the scenes to hold you back. It is a harsh reality to face when this happens, especially when it comes from a source that you believed was in your corner.

Often, there is an even more difficult obstacle to detect. Some people in your corner may be unintentionally toxic. They think they help, they think they build you up, but really they are unaware that they do more harm than good. These situations are tough to deal with.

Cutting ties with someone you’re close to is going to be complicated. However, it is imperative that you only surround yourself with those who will build you up and help you be the best person and player you can be.

The further you get in your basketball career, the more critical this lesson will become. Of course, a negative influence will impact you at any level. Seriousness turns up as you select a college to play for. The more positive voices in your ear, the better. The more negative influences, the greater the consequences.

After college, if you are trying to play pro ball, you will need to work harder than you ever had in your life. You need everything to be as streamlined and beneficial as possible. At this stage, a negative influence can cost you everything. Make sure that your support system is filled with those who want to lift you up - not those looking for a meal ticket.

Knowing exactly who has your back can be more complex than it sounds. Trust your instincts and listen to any nagging inclinations that someone may not have your best interest in mind. What is easy is stringing these people along for far too long. Don’t make that mistake; you will need to pull the weeds as soon as possible if you are going to grow and flourish to reach your potential (congratulations on reading the first and last gardening/basketball tie-in ever).

We used the words “difficult” and “tough” quite a bit here. Establishing a support system is not always difficult, but maintaining it can be. Do your best, and lean on those that you can trust completely. A strong support system will carry you far in all aspects of life!

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.