Around the NBA: 2021-22 Preview

Each year, The Basketball Movement breaks down the movers, shakers, and championship contenders around the NBA.

As usual, the National Basketball Association has had an interesting offseason. Also, as usual, nothing matters until the games begin. Fortunately for hoop heads everywhere, that time is finally upon us once more.

Can the Milwaukee Bucks repeat, or will the Nets reign in Kyrie and become the Eastern Conference champs? Are the Suns the next NBA dynasty, or will LeBron or Steph come storming back to claim the Western Conference throne? Let’s dive in.

Eastern Conference

As of this moment, the Eastern Conference has two teams that seem ready for a title run. The Milwaukee Bucks are the defending champs, and their core of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday remain intact. Will the deer be as hungry as last year?

Last season, the Brooklyn Nets were the league’s biggest question mark. This season? The same. The trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving only played six regular-season games together last year and followed it up with injury-plagued playoffs. This year, all eyes are on Kyrie Irving.

Convinced the COVID-19 vaccine is filled with brainwashing nanobots, Irving is currently intelligible to play any games in New York or San Fransisco due to restrictions. Playing for a New York team, you can see the issue. The Nets recently announced that it is all-or-nothing. Irving will be fully with the team or unable to join them at all. Time will tell, but it looks like Irving will miss the 2021-22 NBA season.

Beyond Milwaukee and Brooklyn, several teams may have what it takes, though Miami stands out. The Heat added veteran PG Kyle Lowry while retaining All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo as well as Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro. Miami will be one to watch.

How far can Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown lead the Celtics? After a bit of a disappointing season, Boston will look to rebound, led by their two young stars. Speaking of young stars, the other two potential contenders are Atlanta and New York, who will rely on the continuing development of their young cores.

The Hawks got plenty of experience in last year’s playoffs and are coming back with essentially the same lineup. After getting off to a slow start last season, Trae Young finished strong. However, he will need to take better care of the ball and show continued consistency if the Hawks want to realize their potential.

For the Knicks, Julius Randle returns as the star and has a new running mate in point guard Kemba Walker. If Walker and his backcourt mate Derrick Rose can remain healthy and the young role players like RJ Barrett take strides, they can threaten the top teams.

Ben Simmons seems as likely to remain in Philly as anywhere else now, so the 76ers fate is a bit up in the air. They remain talented but have proven nothing. With Embiid on the floor, though, they can hang with anyone.

Washington lost Westbrook, and Orlando, Detroit, Toronto, and Cleveland are still building. The other interesting teams in the East are Chicago and Charlotte. A healthy LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward keep the Hornets entertaining, if not much of a threat at this time.

As for the Bulls, they added All-Star Nikola Vucevic last season, and he seemed to pair nicely with Zach LaVine. Also, having added DeMar DeRozen, Chicago has a proven core and will be one of the more exciting teams in the East this season. But can they get out of the first round with this squad?

Oh, and the Pacers are still a thing. If Caris LeVert and TJ Warren can get healthy, they will be their typical, uninteresting selves. Sorry, Indy.

Western Conference

Phoenix not only made it to the NBA Finals last year, but they kept their roster intact. Chris Paul may be another year closer to retirement, but Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and Cameron Johnson now have another year of experience, including their deep playoff run. So, is Phoenix still the team to beat out West?

Until someone proves otherwise, the answer is probably yes. Are there teams that could quickly assert their dominance? Big yes?

The king is looking to retake the throne. LeBron James may require a bit more rest than he used to, but the 36-year-old is as dominant as ever. The team’s core is now almost entirely made up of aging stars with Rajon Rondo, Deandre Jordan, Trevor (not a star) Ariza, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, and triple-double machine Russell Westbrook. Hell, Kent Bazemore is 32.

It is no secret that Anthony Davis is the key. When healthy, “The Brow” is one of the most dominant players in the NBA on both ends of the floor. It is also no secret that he struggles with injuries. Interesting as these old fellas may be, they can likely only go as far as Anthony Davis’ health will allow.

Throughout most of the 2020-21 season, the Utah Jazz held the NBA’s best record. We kept them around the top of our rankings for that reason, but we have seen the Jazz perform in the regular season before. The eye test shows us that Rudy Gobert is a dominant pick-and-roll defender and can alter shots at an elite level. Donovan Mitchell is an elite slasher, and much of the roster is built to supplement his strength with three-point shooting. Can the Jazz actually become a contender when it matters, though? Time will tell.

Two seasons without Klay Thompson, two seasons of relative obscurity for the Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry was back last year, but while his barrages from the parking lot were fun, it did not result in a playoffs appearance. So with Steph, Klay, and Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala back in addition to Andrew Wiggins and a developing James Wiseman… can the Warriors get back to the glory days?

(Sorry that we have to ask so many questions. It is just that, preview or no, the only thing that can tell us what will happen this season is the players and teams themselves. The game speaks for itself; we are just telling you what to look for!)

With issues similar to Utah’s, the Denver Nuggets are caught between being a great team and having meaningful postseasons to show for it. Nikola Jokic won the MVP award last year but had to beat out hobbled versions of Joel Embiid and Kevin Durant to do it. Nevertheless, “The Joker” had a stellar season, nearly averaging a triple-double from the center position.

With Aaron Gordon signed long-term, Michael Porter Jr. developing into a star, and Jamaal Murray and the deep guard roster behind him, the Nuggets are poised to grow. Do not be surprised to find them atop the Western Conference standings.

From here, there is a bit of a drop-off. This is due partly to the health of Kawhi Leonard. Undergoing surgery in July for a partial ACL tear, “The Klaw” will miss potentially all of the season, leaving Paul George to lead the LA Clippers solo. George has done this with success before with the Pacers, though that was seven years ago now. LA may be scrappy, but they may not be contenders this season.

Dallas and Memphis are two other teams that feel just outside of contention status. Luka Doncic is ready to begin an earnest MVP campaign, but the durability of his running mate Kristaps Porzingis remains an issue. As long as Doncic is around, the Mavs will be tough, but his team must rise to the occasion.

As for the Grizzlies, Ja Morant developed nicely last year but must achieve consistency to lead his young team. Jaren Jackson Jr. is healthy and should be a big help in stabilizing the Grizzlies’ approach.

After some offseason questions, Damian Lillard is still in Portland. With a healthy CJ McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic, and Norman Powell, the Trailblazers are poised for another exciting playoff exit. Sorry, Dame.

The OKC Thunder are still amidst their lengthy rebuild, which at least has more promise than Minnesota, Sacramento, and Houston, though all have a few interesting young players. The Spurs should be just good enough to miss the playoffs again.

Also likely to miss the playoffs, but perhaps more interesting, are the New Orleans Pelicans. With a budding star like Zion Williamson, the Pelicans will be hard-pressed to keep faith afloat. Brandon Ingram and the addition of Jonas Valenciunas will be big pieces, but New Orleans may need to figure things out quickly.

That’s it! This was a long one for what you may be used to seeing on The Basketball Movement blog. That is because writer Wil Harrington is a passionate NBA fan that does his best to keep track of each team. Give a follow on Twitter, but do not expect deep insight. Only retweets of the most unmissable highlights and sarcastic comments about the most boneheaded player news. The NBA is the most entertaining soap opera in the world but also the most dazzling display of basketball brilliance. So tune in and follow along!

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.

Around the NBA: Offseason update

No blockbusters to report, but there has still been plenty of action around the NBA.

The NBA has become a year-round hub of basketball entertainment. Even in the offseason, a week does not pass by without the occurrence of noteworthy news (or drama). Over the last 24 hours, for example, we have had both news and drama.

News: JJ Redick has announced his retirement from basketball. After four memorable years at Duke and 15 seasons of NBA hoops, Redick is calling it a career. One of the most prominent college hoopers of the last few decades, Redick’s legacy is bolstered by a pro career in which he showed persistent improvement.

Now, for the drama. Unsurprisingly, yet dramatically nonetheless, Ben Simmons has no intention of making an appearance at the Philadelphia 76ers training camp next week.

Simmons stands to lose substantial amounts of money if the Sixers do not move him during this hiatus. Philly naturally would rather see him moved and have new pieces in place but have less to lose in the short-term than Simmons. An All-NBA defender and All-Star playmaker, Simmons has been knocked hard recently for his lack of offensive development and questionable playoff play. However, he is still a massively talented hooper. This story will continue to develop over the coming weeks.

On to “in case you missed it” news. The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten older yet more experienced and debatably more talented this offseason. They have lost the likes of Dennis Schröder and Montrezl Harrell but have picked up Russell Westbrook and LeBron James’ buddy, Carmelo Anthony. The moves certainly make the team more interesting. But, whether or not it is enough to dethrone the reigning Western Conference Champion Phoenix Suns will be something we must watch in real-time.

Out in the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets employed a similar strategy. The signing of Paul Millsap and the return of LaMarcus Aldridge means more All-Stars (albeit from a while ago). The Aldridge signing came at the expense of The Basketball Movement favorite Alize Johnson. Given his showing as a rebounder and high-motor guy, Johnson quickly found a new home with the Chicago Bulls. (Kill ‘em, Ze)

For better or worse, there is not much other “big” news circulating around the NBA at the moment. Klay Thompson has been reported to have made good rehab progress. The Golden State Warriors need to get their pieces together in a hurry before their stars move past their primes.

The LA Clippers have taken steps towards constructing their new arena within the next several years to further their move out from under the Lakers’ shadow.

New developments? As you may have gathered, writer Wil Harrington is an NBA fan through and through. So stay tuned to The Basketball Movement blog year-round if you even have a passing interest in pro hoops. If there are happenings around the NBA, we will cover it. See you soon!

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.

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.