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.

USA Basketball nets three Olympic gold medals

After a rockier start than expected, USA Basketball showed its resilience by standing atop the podium once again.

USA Men’s and Women’s 5x5 teams secured Olympic gold this past week, as well as the Women’s 3x3 team. The win marks a staggering seventh consecutive gold for the women’s team, including a record five gold medals for Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi.

The women uncharacteristically dropped an exhibition match after a night of woeful shooting. However, they quickly righted the ship and never looked back, dominating, as usual, all the way to the top. Women’s 3x3 faced challenges but also went all the way on the shoulders of four WNBA players.

Men’s 3x3 featured no professional hoopers and were quickly knocked out of contention. It might be nice to see pros or some recently retired pros take the mantle up for Paris 2024.

As we had previously discussed, things got off to a rocky start for the 5x5 Men’s USA team. After dropping their first two exhibition games, the doubters came out in full force. Once they got to Tokyo, the team proceeded to drop their first match in pool play to a talented France squad. After that, the top two teams from each pool moved on, so they were able to handle the other two weaker teams and move on.

Things started clicking for Team USA, and once that happened, the talent gap between them and their opponents grew more noticeable.

They got another crack at France in the gold medal game and prevailed. Durant led the way, and they got gutsy performances from Damien Lillard, who was dealing with an injury throughout.

Fortunately, there is still basketball to watch even with the “2020” Olympics behind us. The NBA Summer League is underway in full, and WNBA action continues. The next time we see the United States represented will be at the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in September 2022. Stay tuned!

Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp

The Basketball Movement is excited to announce the Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp for 6th-12th grade boys.

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 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. The cost to participate will be $100 for the entire weekend. Campers will all get T-shirts.

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 September. There will be more details coming in the meantime, so stay tuned!

Around the NBA: 2021 Draft recap

The 2021 NBA Draft is in the books — Who went where, and how does this year’s draft class stack up?

Coming out of a strange year for not only NCAA basketball but hoops around the world, the young men in the 2021 NBA Draft have had an interesting road to get here. From the number one pick to the final selection, dreams were realized last night, and we love to see it.

Not everyone gets to achieve their dreams, and unfortunately, not everyone even gets a fair chance.

In the kind of classy move we have come to expect from the modern NBA, Commissioner Adam Silver had some nice words for Terrance Clark. This Kentucky standout was expected to be a lottery pick but tragically lost his life in a car accident earlier this year.

Overall the tone of the evening was back to what we are used to from an NBA Draft. There was a consistent, exciting buzz as players and their families experienced elation. Trades and unexpected picks were occurring throughout. Fans and analysts wonder if they just drafted the next Giannis Antetokounmpo or Luka Doncic. We are excited to find out.

We have had the privilege of covering some of these players (such as Cameron Thomas, pick 27 above, and Sharife Cooper, pick 48 below). The number of unseen hours packed into this list is staggering and one of our favorite parts here at The Basketball Movement. Hard work pays off.

Below is how things shook out:

First Round:

  1. Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, G, Oklahoma State

  2. Houston Rockets: Jalen Green, G, G League Ignite

  3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Evan Mobley, F/C, USC

  4. Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes, F, Florida State

  5. Orlando Magic: Jalen Suggs, G, Gonzaga

  6. Oklahoma City Thunder: Josh Giddey, G, Australia

  7. Golden State Warriors (from Timberwolves): Jonathan Kuminga, F, G League Ignite

  8. Orlando Magic (from Bulls): Franz Wagner, F, Michigan

  9. Sacramento Kings: Davion Mitchell, G, Baylor

  10. Memphis Grizzlies (from Pelicans): Ziaire Williams, G, Stanford

  11. Charlotte Hornets: James Bouknight, G, UConn

  12. San Antonio Spurs: Joshua Primo, G, Alabama

  13. Indiana Pacers: Chris Duarte, G, Oregon

  14. Golden State Warriors: Moses Moody, G/F, Arkansas

  15. Washington Wizards: Corey Kispert, F, Gonzaga

  16. Houston Rockets (from Celtics via Thunder): Alperen Sengun, C, Turkey

  17. New Orleans Pelicans (from Grizzlies): Trey Murphy, G, Virginia

  18. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Heat): Tre Mann, G, Florida

  19. Charlotte Hornets (from Knicks): Kai Jones, F/C, Texas

  20. Atlanta Hawks: Jalen Johnson, F, Duke

  21. Los Angeles Clippers (from Mavericks via Knicks): Keon Johnson, G/F, Tennessee

  22. Indiana Pacers (from Lakers via Wizards): Isaiah Jackson, F, Kentucky

  23. Houston Rockets (from Trail Blazers): Usman Garuba, F, Spain

  24. Houston Rockets (from Bucks): Josh Christopher, G, Arizona State

  25. New York Knicks (from Clippers): Quentin Grimes, G, Houston

  26. Denver Nuggets: Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland, G, VCU

  27. Brooklyn Nets: Cameron Thomas, G, LSU

  28. Philadelphia 76ers: Jaden Springer, G, Tennessee

  29. Brooklyn Nets (from Suns): Day’Ron Sharpe, C, North Carolina

  30. Memphis Grizzlies (from Jazz): Santi Aldama, F/C, Loyola (MD)

    Second Round:

  31. Washington Wizards (from Rockets via Bucks and Pacers): Isaiah Todd, F, G League Ignite

  32. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Pistons via Knicks): Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, F, Villanova

  33. Los Angeles Clippers (from Magic): Jason Preston, G, Ohio

  34. New York Knicks (from Thunder): Rokas Jokubaitis, G, Lithuania

  35. New Orleans Pelicans (from Cavaliers): Herb Jones, F, Alabama

  36. New York Knicks (from Timberwolves via Thunder): Miles McBride, G, West Virginia

  37. Charlotte Hornets (from Raptors via Pistons): JT Thor, F, Auburn

  38. Chicago Bulls (from Pelicans): Ayo Dosunmu, G, Illinois

  39. Sacramento Kings: Neemias Queta, C, Utah State

  40. Utah Jazz (from Bulls via Pelicans and Grizzlies): Jared Butler, G, Baylor

  41. San Antonio Spurs: Joe Wieskamp, F, Iowa

  42. Detroit Pistons (from Hornets): Isaiah Livers, F, Michigan

  43. Portland Trail Blazers (from Wizards via Pelicans): Greg Brown, F, Texas

  44. Brooklyn Nets (from Pacers): Kessler Edwards, F, Pepperdine

  45. Boston Celtics: Juhann Begarin, G, France

  46. Toronto Raptors (from Grizzlies): Dalano Banton, G, Nebraska

  47. Toronto Raptors (from Warriors): David Johnson, G, Louisville

  48. Atlanta Hawks (from Heat): Sharife Cooper, G, Auburn

  49. Brooklyn Nets (from Hawks): Marcus Zegarowski, G, Creighton

  50. Philadelphia 76ers (from Knicks): Filip Petrusev, F, Serbia

  51. Los Angeles Clippers (from Trail Blazers via Grizzlies and Pelicans): Brandon Boston, G, Kentucky

  52. Detroit Pistons (from Lakers): Luka Garza, C, Iowa

  53. Philadelphia 76ers (from Mavericks via Pelicans): Charles Bassey, C, Western Kentucky

  54. Milwaukee Bucks (via Pacers): Sandro Mamukelashvili, C, Seton Hall

  55. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Nuggets): Aaron Wiggins, G/F, Maryland

  56. Charlotte Hornets (from Clippers): Scottie Lewis, G, Florida

  57. Detroit Pistons (from Nets via Hornets): Balsa Koprivica, C, Florida State

  58. New York Knicks (from Sixers): Jericho Sims, F, Texas

  59. Brooklyn Nets (from Suns): RaiQuan Gray, F, Florida State

  60. Milwaukee Bucks (from Jazz via Pacers): Georgios Kalaitzakis, G, Greece

Yanders Law at UAA Finals

Yanders Law (boys 17u) wrapped up their UA Rise Circuit and UAA Championship bracket tour with several impressive wins.

Going 3-2 in the UAA Championship bracket, Yanders Law Basketball has proven that it belongs among the elite. At the UAA Finals, the 17u Yanders Law squad toppled WE R1 before suffering a pair of unfortunate losses to D Premier and Nebraska Supreme. However, the team got to finish with a couple of wins over Atlanta Xpress and Houston Superstars.

To make it to the UAA Finals, Yanders Law had to rise above the competition and earn the right, besting big-market teams in UA Rise. After successful stints in Atlanta and Dallas, the team was ready to face the tough competition that awaited in Indianapolis.

In many ways, things went as planned. Zach Howell (6’5 G/F) has officially broken out as an alpha dog on offense and has expanded his repertoire in ways even he may not have believed possible only a few years prior. In addition, Jonathan Dunn (6’7 F) and Sincere Malone (6’8 G/F) have been proven monsters on the boards and got the opportunity to showcase their all-around game.

Cam Liggins (6’4 G) showed he is the capable offensive weapon he always has been but has also broken out as a defensive stud. Logan Applegate (6’2 G) and Kanon Gipson (6’3 G) were steady as ever with their playmaking while keeping defenses honest with their shooting strokes. Elijah Whitley (6’3 G) punished opposing guards with his athleticism, Corey Williams Jr. (6’2 G) showed he could do a lot more than shoot, and Tyler Harmon (6’2 G) proved to everyone that he belongs with his defense and range.

You cannot win every game, but the showing in the Under Armor Circuit this summer by Yanders Law can only be considered a victory. This has been a building block for the program, which continues to grow and impress with each passing year.

Yanders Law alumni are flourishing, the up-and-comers are gaining more exposure than ever, and the future remains blindingly bright.

Stay tuned to The Basketball Movement and Yanders Law going forward. These players were able to play in front of nearly one hundred collegiate programs over the past few weeks, and we anticipate a few phone calls in these young men’s futures.

Yanders Law - UAA Championship Bracket

Yanders Law boys 17u is headed to the Under Armor Association Championship Bracket this weekend.

A small program from a largely rural area, Yanders Law has been turning heads on the Under Armor circuit. Starting in UA Rise, the boys 17u team rose to the top and gets to play in the UAA. This may be a big first for the Yanders Law program, but it has not happened by accident. Not by luck, but by trickle-down tenacity, grit, and a pure hooper mentality that runs deep.

“I love that we are one of the first teams from a smaller area to be in the UAA Finals,” Coach Rob Yanders says. “It is just a huge privilege to be here, and I want to thank UAA and UA Rise for having us.”

Through the first couple of weekends alone, the young men of Yanders Law have played in front of 60-plus universities. ACC, SEC, Big 12, Missouri Valley, OVC… the list goes on. These are opportunities that would previously not have been possible for players from our area, and we are thrilled to be a part of the movement.

Yanders believes that their demanding early schedule back in April has played a big part in preparing them for the current level of competition. Yanders Law faced EYBL, Nike, and Adidas teams and beat many of them. These challenges have prepared them for the elite, which they will certainly see at the Pacers Athletic Center in Indianapolis this weekend.

The results of the high levels of exposure and competition have been immediately apparent for the players. The college offers and correspondence are mounting in a hurry.

Jonathan Dunn (6’7 F) recently accepted his offer from Missouri State after holding multiple D1 offers. Sincere Malone (6’8 G/F) picked up a nice new offer of his own from Western Illinois. More to come as Malone’s defense and rebounding proficiency will be on full display in Indy.

Kanon Gipson (6’3 G) already holds an offer from UW Milwaukee and has now heard from Eastern Illinois in addition to Santa Clara and UC Santa Barbara. Corey Williams Jr. (6’2 G) has now heard from Jacksonville State in his short time with Yanders Law. We are excited for Williams Jr. to gain continued exposure with our program.

Logan Applegate (6’2 G) holds offers from Texas State and SIUe and has had interest from Drexel, Westpoint, Belmont, and Nebraska Omaha. The more coaches see App’s basketball IQ in person, the longer that list grows. This could be a big weekend for Elijah Whitley (6’3 G) and Tyler Harmon (6’2 G) as well, as more eyes will be on the squad.

A pair of guys with a list of suitors growing every day is Zach Howell (6’5 G/F) and Cameron Liggins (6’4 G).

Howell has been an aggressive scorer, and his shooting prowess has drawn plenty of attention. He currently holds offers from Texas Tech and SIUe. Texas Tech has been watching him each day of the circuit. In addition, Howell has now drawn interest from Ohio University, Eastern Illinois, Navy, Air Force, Colorado State, Harvard, Wisconsin, Omaha Nebraska, Mizzou, and IUPUI. Hype train.

Cam Liggins holds offers from Western Illinois and Montana State. He has now also heard from Tulsa, Montana State, SIUe, South Dakota State, Cal State Bakersfield, Oral Roberts, Furman, and Oklahoma State. Liggins has been one of the most dangerous two-way players on the circuit.

“This has become a great team that plays together,” Yanders says. “It starts on defense with Cam Liggins. Then, together, we attack.”

Yanders says that he believes his squad is the hardest working team in the Under Armor Association. “This weekend - the Championship bracket is for the elite,” Yanders says. “These guys have earned the right to be a part of that. I am proud of them. This is their time now. They have earned it, and I’m going to set them loose.”

ua finals.jpg

Around the NBA: Bucks eclipse Suns

The 2020-21 NBA season has concluded after the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals.

Both in their 53rd NBA seasons, the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks are storied franchises but only shared one championship between them. Milwaukee won in 1971, led by the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabaar. It had been quite the drought since, but seeing the two in the NBA Finals was refreshing, with only Jae Crowder of the Suns having played in a championship before (Miami 2020).

In Chris Paul’s 16 seasons, this was his first Finals appearance. The future Hall of Famer started the series strong but faded as it continued, making uncharacteristic turnovers and disappearing into the background at times. Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton had incredibly impressive playoff runs for their first time out. Both young stars had games and moments of basketball brilliance but unfortunately showed their inexperience as the Finals wound down.

Credit must be given in part, of course, the defense of Milwaukee and the relentlessness of its brightest star.

Milwaukee had been one of the best defensive teams in the NBA for several seasons but started slow this year. The addition of Jrue Holiday and the defensive transformation of Brook Lopez took longer than expected to gel. All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are established two-way guys, with Giannis being last season’s Defensive Player of the Year. Suddenly, right in time for the playoffs, things started clicking.

The Bucks had the benefit of facing some injury-plagued teams, but that is often the way the cookie crumbles in the playoffs of any sport. Fingers may be pointed at the expedited season, but whatever happened to other teams, Milwaukee did their best to make sure it did not happen to them, luck or not.

As for those opponents: Miami had essentially the same roster that led them to the Finals in the bubble last season. Brooklyn had injuries to their stars but still had Kevin Durant raining fire and brimstone. Atlanta was a bit of a Cinderella story but was coming in young, hot, and with plenty to prove. Milwaukee defeated them all.

Phoenix benefitted from injured opponents as well. Lakers with no Anthony Davis, Nuggets with Jamaal Murray, and Clippers with no Kawhi Leonard. That still left LeBron James, (MVP) Nikola Jokic, and Paul George. Phoenix was rolling.

The Suns took the first two games at home, which meant do-or-die for the Bucks in Milwaukee. A 3-0 or a 3-1 deficit could have spelled the end for the Bucks, but they took care of business, evening the series 2-2.

Back to Phoenix — the home team had taken each game so far, but behind another herculean effort by Antetokounmpo and a brilliant two-way performance by Holiday, Milwaukee gained the edge.

For Game 6 in Milwaukee, we had the NBA’s best road team facing the NBA’s best home team. The game could have gone either way if only Giannis Antetokounmpo hadn’t laid it all on the court and prevented his team from losing. Phoenix never gave up, but the Greek Freak made sure that did not matter.

Antetokounmpo finished off the Suns with a 50 point, 14 rebound, five-block performance, which was one for the ages. His ever infectious enthusiasm spilled over afterward and continues to do so today. A family man and ferocious competitor, Giannis wore his heart on his sleeve throughout and gained even more respect than he already had from his two regular-season MVPs.

Devin Booker now has an awkward plane to catch with Middleton and Holiday as the trio heads to Tokyo to represent Team USA. Unfortunately, that is the only basketball we will get for a while, but keep an eye out for the NBA Draft Thursday, July 29th as well.

As for next year… will Giannis Antetokounmpo’s reign continue? Will the superstars in Brooklyn remain healthy and gel? How much does LeBron James have left in the tank? Will the return of Klay Thompson mean the return of the Warriors?

There are many questions, but that is why we stay tuned. Keep checking back with The Basketball Movement as we track the NBA, NCAA, FIBA, high school, and about any other hoops you can imagine.

USA Basketball update

Exhibition games have concluded, and the men's and women’s Olympic basketball teams are headed to Tokyo.

In what has historically been a display of dominance, the USA Men’s and Women’s teams faltered in their exhibition games leading up to the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo. Between COVID scares and surprising losses, the USA will need to find its footing if they hope to take gold in Japan.

Kevin Love has decided to stay behind to continue nursing his lingering leg injuries. In addition, Bradley Beal has been forced to remain stateside due to health and safety protocols (COVID-19). Keldon Johnson and Javale McGee have since replaced the pair. Coach Gregg Popovich is familiar with Johnson, as he coaches him in San Antonio as well. McGee addresses a need for rim protection.

Zach Lavine will not be flying with the team due to health and safety protocols but is expected to join later in the week. This likely means that the team is being cautious with contact tracing.

Also needing a later flight are Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton. The trio is competing in the NBA Finals, which could conclude as early as tonight or as late as the upcoming weekend. Look for a recap of those Finals right here at The Basketball Movement.

Despite the presence of Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, and a litany of other stars, Team USA dropped two of their four exhibition games. The opening loss to Nigeria was a shocker, with only a pair of lesser NBA talents standing out on the African squad. A loss to Australia is more forgivable, as the Aussies have a solid team, but the back-to-back poor games are a surprise from a team sporting USA across its chest.

The USAMNBT finished up exhibitions with wins against aging Spain and Argentina squads and will look to carry momentum into Tokyo.

On the Women’s team, we saw a rare exhibition loss as well. In international play, the women have been even more historically dominant than the men but shot the ball poorly in a loss to Australia.

In a fun twist, Team USA played the WNBA All-Star team (those that either were not selected to Team USA or hail from other countries). Team USA lost that one as well, and the MVP was ironically Arike Ogunbowale, who felt she had been snubbed from the USA roster. Apparently, she had a point.

The ladies will look to get back on track just like the men, and they will need to do so quickly. Friday, July 23rd, marks the first action for both the men and women of Team USA. Keep checking back here as we follow along!

Jonathan Dunn accepts Missouri State offer

Jonathan Dunn (6’7 2022 F) of Yanders Law and We Are United prep has accepted an offer to play for Missouri State University.

Since arriving in Southwest Missouri to finish up his high school basketball career in Logan-Rogersville, Jonathan Dunn has impressed. He was still a bit raw before his time with The Basketball Movement but has proven to be an absolute gym rat, and that work has paid off.

During his time here and with the Yanders Law AAU program, Dunn has gone from athletic forward to a complete player, capable of knocking down the long ball, rebounding at an elite clip, and defending multiple positions. And, yes, he can still put opponents in the rim as well.

After graduating high school, Dunn reclassified to 2022, giving himself more time to gain exposure following a challenging recruiting year due to the pandemic. Dunn has committed to playing for We Are United this fall, and his spring and summer play was all he needed to show what he was truly capable of. Look for Dunn to continue expanding his offensive repertoire and overall feel for the game, working with Rob Yanders this upcoming semester.

Dunn held outstanding offers from Mizzou and Texas Tech before ultimately deciding to attend Missouri State University. Coaches Dana Ford and Corey Gipson know to expect an established rim-runner and high motor guy. But, as he continues to work, the sky is the limit for Dunn.

Congratulations to JD and also congratulations to Missouri State. This pairing should yield impressive results from the get, and we are excited to be able to see it right down the road. Go Bears!

Yanders Law UAA Rise wrap-up

Yanders Law (17u) completed a successful UAA Rise Circuit this weekend, with many We Are United and The Basketball Movement players raising their stock.

Cartersville, GA — at the Lake Point Champions Center right outside of Atlanta, the young men of Yanders Law wipe away the sweat and stow away their shoes after the final action of the weekend concludes. Their minds are on the last game - one they believe they should have won - but at their core, they know what a success this UAA Rise Circuit has been.

Finishing 5-2 on the weekend against some elite talent, the wins were impressive, and the losses were close. By the end, Coach Rob Yanders is thrilled to give the young men such an opportunity.

“These guys did a great job competing,” Yanders says. “There were hundreds of coaches here - Mizzou, Arizona, K-State, Texas, Texas Tech, Marquette… our guys were out there drawing attention from major programs. This is so different than sending in videos. Our guys are legitimate prospects, so to be here in the flesh playing at a high level, they are really going to take off. This is only the beginning.”

The Basketball Movement already gave you the breakdown of the first two days of action. The following two on Saturday and Sunday provided plenty more fire.

Zach Howell (6’5 G/F) continued to show why he has high D1 potential. Against Atlanta Express, he hit five threes. Against Philly Pride, he had 26 and 8. Then, against TRD Basketball, he hit another five treys to finish his final game with 22 and 6. Howell is the real deal.

Cam Liggins (6’4 G) hit three triples en route to 16 points against TRD Basketball on Saturday, but it is his renewed focus on defense that likely turned the heads of coaches this weekend. He has been a scorer all season but is now looking like a complete package.

Yanders Law’s biggest breakout player has been newcomer Sincere Malone (6’8 G/F). Like Liggins, Malone is committed to We Are United prep this fall and looks like the perfect candidate to benefit from some additional exposure. Malone is a double-double threat every time he takes the court. He had 11/12 against Atlanta Express and a whopping 17 boards against TRD Basketball to go with four points, four assists, and four steals, which he also has a knack for.

Over the last few days of the circuit, Kanon Gipson (6’3 PG) flashed his ability to crash the boards at the point guard position but also stayed true to his role with ten assists against Atlanta Express and eight more the next day against TRD Basketball.

Logan Applegate (6’2 G) continued his strong play Saturday and Sunday, looking like an elite distributor both on the break and in halfcourt sets. He also tallied four steals against TRD Basketball and will make it very difficult for a college coach to keep him off the floor with his versatile guard play.

Tyler Harmon (6’2 G) is a great defender and glue guy but proved that he could not be left alone on the perimeter either. He went 5 of 8 from deep over the circuit’s final two days and stepped up whenever it was required, as always.

This Yanders Law squad feels like it has multiple players that could hold the “X-factor” title. Jonathan Dunn (6’7 F) used to hold that position, but now, teams know he is coming. JD drew plenty of attention this weekend but continued to be a handful in the paint. He brought the defense in the Circuit’s final games, flying around blocking shots and grabbing steals.

All weekend, we saw flashes of great play from Corey Williams (6’2 G) and Elijah Whitley (6’3 G). Williams is new to the squad and brought terrific toughness on defense. Coach Yanders is looking forward to seeing more of his silky smooth jumper next weekend in Dallas. Whitley can shoot it too and has above-the-rim ability for his size that screams potential.

Highlights for each player can be found on our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Follow the movement!

“This is going to be a great July,” Yanders says. “We are so excited about how far the program has come.” Yanders Law 17u will be on the road again next weekend in Dallas, TX. We are expecting even more big things, so stay tuned!

Yanders Law 17u - UAA Rise

Yanders Law (17u) is having another strong showing, this time at the UAA Rise Circuit in Atlanta, Georgia.

Off to a 3-1 start in Atlanta, Yanders Law came in hot to the UA Rise Circuit this Thursday and Friday. Of course, the action is far from over, but this has already been a successful weekend for many rising stars of The Basketball Movement.

Already sporting numerous D1 offers and several having committed to Robert Yanders’ We Are United prep this fall, the future is getting brighter all the time for these young men. Coaches from some of the biggest basketball programs in the nation are in attendance this weekend, and Yanders Law is doing its part in giving them a show.

Thursday:

Yanders Law 98 - IBA Illinois Stars 69

Yanders Law 67 - Kingdom Hoops 59

Friday:

Yanders Law 78 - Illinois HoopStars 79

Yanders Law 73 - ESF Threat 41

Kanon Gipson (6’3 guard) has paced Yanders Law in assists in each game so far and has emerged as a pure point guard after having the looks of a shooting specialist previously. Gipson holds an offer from UW Milwaukee. He has also received interest from UC Santa Barbara and Santa Clara.

Unconscious from the field in Yanders Law’s first game against IBA Illinois Stars, Cameron Liggins (6’4 combo guard) dropped 29 and has continued his strong play. An elite rebounder for a guard, Liggins currently holds offers from Western Illinois and Montana State. He has also heard from Oral Roberts, Furman, and Oklahoma State. More to come soon for Liggins.

The most consistent Yanders Law player of the early going, Jonathan Dunn (6’7 forward), has been on a tear to the surprise of no one. Dunn’s versatility has been on full display with games of 19/12, 12/7, and 10/6 with a pair of swats. The high-energy forward holds offers from Mizzou and Texas Tech. He has also heard from Purdue, Marquette, South Dakota, and K-State.

Logan Applegate (6’2 guard) drilled four triples against ESF threat and has had solid showings on both sides of the floor, including a 14 point, 10 dime performance in a tough loss to Illinois HoopStars. Applegate holds offers from Texas State and SIUe and has drawn interest from Drexel, Westpoint, Belmont, and Nebraska Omaha. Elijah Whitley (6’3 guard) is another player to watch after stuffing the stat sheet against IBA Illinois Stars (8/4/5 with three big blocks).

Zach Howell (6’5 guard/forward) has been aggressive, dropping 27 on Illinois HoopStars, but also on the boards, showing that he can be a fantastic contributor even in the rare games where the threes are not falling. Howell recently received an offer from Texas Tech. He also has an offer from SIUe and has drawn interest from Harvard and Mizzou. Another all-around contributor, Tyler Harmon (6’2 guard), has been bringing his usual intangibles, remaining solid from deep and the pest on defense that every good team needs.

Two newcomers to Yanders Law, Sincere Malone (6’8 guard/forward) and Corey Williams Jr. (6’2 wing), are both We Are United commits that have quickly acclimated to the team. Williams Jr. has a great-looking stroke from outside. Sincere Malone has contributed on the boards immediately, with games of 9/9 and 11/10. He has had at least one steal in each contest, including 5(!) against ESF Threat.

Coach Rob Yanders says that they are good to go when the team moves the ball, defends, and rebounds. “When we are tougher than other teams, we win,” Yanders says. “In losses, if we aren’t the tougher team, we lose. We will be undefeated with toughness, and that’s what we are trying to emphasize to these guys.”

There has been no shortage of toughness the first few days of the Rise Circuit. We will be updating you here on the final days to see if the streak holds strong.

NCAA rule changes - NIL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2021 NBA Finals preview

The Basketball Movement previews the 2021 NBA Finals between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks.

Will the 2021 NBA Champions be the best team or the healthiest? Ahead of the 2021 NBA Finals showdown, starting tonight on ABC (8:00 pm CST), the health of Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most significant talking point. The two-time MVP and reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Antetokounmpo’s presence may be the deciding factor as the 2021 NBA Playoffs conclude.

“The Greek Freak” appeared to hyperextend his knee in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks. However, the Bucks’ supporting cast was still able to put away the seemingly overachieving Hawks.

A banged-up Trae Young made an impact in the ECF as well, as injuries continue to be an unfortunate theme in these playoffs. More on that once we dive into how the Phoenix Suns arrived in the Finals.

Assuming Antetokounmpo can play, this will be a highly competitive series. Giannis has struggled with his jumper and free throws but has the size to punish anyone on the Suns’ roster in the paint, with perhaps the exception of Deandre Ayton, who has enjoyed an impressive playoff run.

If the Bucks’ star cannot go, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday will be forced into a prominent role on offense. Both struggled at times quarter-to-quarter in the games without Giannis but ultimately were able to put together good enough performances to propel Milwaukee to victory.

Phoenix has had the luxury of barely any Anthony Davis in round one, no Jamal Murray in round two, and no Kawhi Leonard in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Clippers. Although, of course, the Suns are red-hot, so we should not credit injuries for too much of their success, but if they do not have to face Antetokounmpo? That is a fortunate title run.

Chris Paul is chasing his first ring in his storied 16 seasons. Statistically an all-time great, he has always passed the eye test as an elite leader as well. If he can pull off a championship as a veteran, it will cement his status as one of the best point guards of his generation.

Paired with Paul in the backcourt is Phoenix’s leading scorer, Devin Booker. Young, but a proven star, Booker makes for a nasty 1-2 backcourt punch with Paul. Milwaukee’s perimeter defense will be a key in the series. One of the most capable defensive teams in the league, the Bucks will face a difficult task - one that they did not have to meet earlier in James Harden and Kyrie Irving thanks once more to injuries.

If Antetokounmpo can go - look for the Bucks to lean heavily on the drive-and-kick approach. Milwaukee is a lethal three-point shooting team, but so much of that comes from Giannis’ ability to dominate the paint. If he cannot go - Milwaukee will be scrambling to see who of Middleton, Holiday, or even Brook Lopez can step up and keep the series competitive.

For the Suns, it will be all about Paul and Booker trying to break free of Jrue Holiday’s stifling defense. If either player can get it going, and Deandre Ayton is able to do his part and secure the paint, they will be able to play the way they want and have a fighting chance. The Suns’ role players have played well despite relative inexperience. That must continue in these Finals.

Stay tuned to The Basketball Movement and follow us on Twitter as the greatest league in the world nears its climactic finish.

Happy Fourth of July weekend!

Another holiday means another perfect time for reflection, family, and free throw practice… if you ask us.

Independence Day is special because it marks a historic moment for our country and gives us all a chance to celebrate the many freedoms we are afforded. No country is perfect and this is also a time to reflect on what we can do to continue to shape our piece of this world into a shining example of justice, equality, and peace. We all have a part to play - so go out and make a positive difference in your community!

We hope you get some time off to enjoy family and friends and celebrate however you feel is most appropriate. Of course… we would suggest using this time to outwork your competition, but we strive for greatness!

That said, we also want to remind you that there will be no Saturday Clinic this weekend (7/3) as we give our guys a break to be with their loved ones. Those that are missing out on that time to work are encouraged to do some ball-handling work in the driveway, get shots up wherever possible, or even watch some hoops and pay close attention to players you may model your game after.

Saturday will feature game six of the Eastern Conference Finals between Milwaukee and Atlanta. Both teams have been pushed to the brink with their stars having to sit out. The result so far is role players stepping up and fighting tooth-and-nail for a chance to face Phoenix in the NBA Finals. The weekend has a normal slate of WNBA action each day as well.

So enjoy the weekend! Work hard if there is work to be done but do your best to find time to reflect and be grateful as well. As always - keep checking back right here as we monitor the world’s basketball movement and do our part to uplift an already incredible hoops community.