Rob Yanders: Playing professionally overseas

The Basketball Movement's founder, Rob Yanders, dishes on his experience playing professional ball in Europe.

Rob Yanders' local impact through The Basketball Movement has been immense. He cherishes this community and is here to give back and enhance it through the sport he loves. Rob's time in Springfield and West Plains was a big part of his career, but his professional experience led him to a much different place.

For some of us, it is easy to forget that there is more to basketball than what we see in high school, the NCAA, and NBA. There are basketball teams worldwide; many are at the professional level.

The Basketball Movement is unique in offering Euro Preparation to players looking to break into the pro scene. Rob's experience is a fantastic resource for any American player considering playing basketball abroad.

I (@WilHarrington) sat down with Robert at The Basketball Movement to discuss his time in Europe.

Rob's experience playing overseas

After college,Rob Yanders headed to Sheffield, England, to begin his rookie year of pro ball. He said it was indeed a culture shock, but the team won the British Championship, easing his transition. "When you're successful and winning, everything is great." He credits the people he met and his teammate for helping to make it a great experience.

“My experience in Europe helped mold me into the person I am today - my experiences getting away and getting cultured through these different walks of life. Sheffield, France, Scotland, Treviso, Norway, Zurich, Germany, Israel - because of basketball. Because of that round, orange thing, I’ve been to some amazing places.”

In his pro career, he won three European Championships, two regular-season Championships, a National Cup, and Finals MVP. In France, Rob was also voted team MVP with both VCB and KABCA teams and earned All-Star Team honors in 2012. His time as a pro in Europe was undoubtedly a success.

How Rob applies what he learned to The Basketball Movement

As a pro, Robert told me that you are always thinking about what comes next. Players are rarely guaranteed a safety net in their brief careers. When Rob thought about what he wanted to do, he leaned on what made him happy: basketball.

Enjoying and being around the sport of basketball does not have to end when playing days are over. Robert was a Community Recreation major in college and knew that he wanted to build or run a sports facility.

“I grew up in Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Clubs, and YMCA’s. Those were places that gave me shelter to play the game and keep me safe from the streets.”

He talked about the alone time you experience playing in a foreign country and how much time it allowed him to reflect on the future. He also participated in many camps, clinics, speaking opportunities, and mentorships. His leadership grew even more, allowing him to confidently assume his role as founder and owner of The Basketball Movement.

Advice for players considering college or the pro game

Robert's advice on this topic centered around personal circumstances - situations vary greatly from player to player.

“Do what’s best for your family. Invest in you and invest in your family - your time is valuable. Make sure you get the right council and information.”

Rob also warned that the pro game would be a stark contrast for any players that are talented enough to play professionally straight out of high school. Playing with grown men that are playing for paychecks is a whole new world.

If the opportunity for a "one-and-done" type of player to play professionally presented itself, and they needed money, he may recommend going if the player is confident in professional ball as a career. For most, though, education is always a great idea. It will pay off more than fizzling out after a few pro seasons. 

Recently, collegiate athletes have been afforded the opportunity to make money from their name and likeness, which is also opening new paths.

As Rob mentioned, receiving good counsel and information is crucial when considering playing in Europe or anywhere else. Coach Rob, Coach Anthony Shavies, and more can help players with this preparation right here at The Basketball Movement.

If you are interested in any capacity in playing overseas, pleasecontact us and let us help you navigate the intimidating options that follow.

Accepting Defeat

Every basketball game produces a winner and a loser - you can’t tie, and you can’t always win, so how will you accept defeat?

One of the best parts about basketball and sports, in general, is the high of winning. Sports are founded on competition, so the ultimate goal is to win as much as possible - to defeat your opponents until you have proven to be the best. Every game has a winner, so naturally, each match also has a losing side. Sometimes, you will find yourself on the losing side.

Losing is not fun. The game can be fun to play, but if you find yourself on the losing end by the time it concludes, it can certainly be disheartening. To lose means that someone was better than you, which is a tough pill to swallow.

You may be a better player or be on a better team than your opponent. However, each game is different, and varying circumstances can lead to anyone being best on a given night.

So how do you handle losing? How do you accept defeat? Getting hung up on a loss or dwelling on shortcomings can be easy. No player or team is perfect, so losses will inevitably come. The pros are considered solid teams if they win over 50 percent of their games. Accepting defeat is challenging but a necessity.

Understanding that losses happen is important. Accepting defeat becomes much simpler when you actively consider that everyone loses at some point or another. Of course, it is human to be disappointed when things don’t happen as you want, but accepting it and moving forward is critical.

“If you do the best you can, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Losing is not a disgrace.”
— Dirk Nowitzki

Better yet, learning from losses and mistakes will make you lose less in the future. Though it is great to keep your head up and move on from losses, reflecting on lessons learned to better yourself or your team moving forward is ideal.

Accepting defeat is the first step, learning from it is the second, and the third is applying those tough lessons learned going forward. With persistence and dedication, the losses will likely become less frequent. You often learn more from losses than wins, so look at them as opportunities rather than blemishes.

If you are tired of losing and ready to do something about it for yourself or your team, be sure to reach out to us at The Basketball Movement. We can’t prevent anyone from losing, but we can help in your quest to win as much as possible!

The Next Brookshire and Haney

The Yanders Law program and The Basketball Movement facility recently bore some of the area’s greatest hoopers. Who’s next?

Coming from Milwaukee to Springfield, Missouri, Anton Brookshire seized an opportunity. His uncle, The Basketball Movement Founder Rob Yanders, was a ready and willing coach, teacher, and mentor. Also, he held the keys to the premier basketball training facility in the Midwest.

Brookshire has natural talent but had to fight for what he has accomplished. Having gym access does not make someone a Division I basketball player. Being a little over six feet tall certainly does not make someone a Division I basketball player.

Isaac Haney was a good athlete from a small town. Unfortunately, good athletes from small towns are usually like a flame in the wind; they burn brightly, gaining recognition from those nearby, but quickly fade. Haney could have easily ridden into that sunset.

Instead, Haney, like Brookshire, seized an opportunity. He uprooted what he knew and aggressively pursued a different path that he knew would lead to where he wanted to go. Of course, it would be a more difficult path, but that is so often what it takes.

Being Yanders Law athletes and absolute gym rats of The Basketball Movement meant that Brookshire and Haney saw quite a bit of each other. First, one of them would become a good shooter. Then, the other would become a great shooter. The constant collision of their improvement honed them both until they were some of the greatest basketball players the area has had.

Then Trevon Brazile grew to be 6’10.

Another Yanders Law alum, Brazile helped to push Brookshire and Haney even further, allowing them to not only have a teammate with NBA potential but also more iron with which to sharpen their own aspirations.

Not every player is going to have a seven-inch growth spurt. But many players out there could be the next Brookshire or Haney.

Life has thrown a lot at Anton Brookshire. Yet, he has shown true steel in overcoming obstacles to focus on his craft and continue his ceaseless journey to be great. Isaac Haney had to drive over an hour and a half several times a week for most of his basketball career to get to work with the best.

Not everyone has what it takes. Many players with more talent than Brookshire or Haney will fade out long before they do. So who has what it takes to seize the mantle of the best hoopers in the area?

As far as we are concerned, we know there are big shoes to fill. So for those players that do not just want to be great but HAVE to be great, you know where to find us.

Rob Yanders and his staff are waiting for the next major players from our area. We have proven what we can do. Now, it is up to you.

Willingness to adjust your game

You may have a good way of doing things. But are you willing to adjust your methods to become great?

Numerous players have multiple things they are good at. Solid free throw shooting, decent assist-to-turnover ratio, and serviceable defense can make you a contributor to a team. However, a player should not settle for these things. For example, are you shooting free throws at 70 percent? You may have to take some expert advice and be willing to tweak your shot to get to 75 or 80 percent.

Especially when it comes to shooting, players are often too proud to admit that they need to adjust from their old way of doing things. A few players have made it far with unorthodox shooting motions, but few of them have been considered great shooters.

You could get away with funky shooting if you make up for it in other ways, like, say... Shaq or Dwight Howard. But let's be honest; you likely aren't Shaq or Dwight Howard.

You can step back and take advice from those who have not only played the game at a high level but also closely monitored the successes and failures of other players at a high level; that is how you can improve.

To be a good or great player, you will need to be able to adapt to doing things the best way possible. For example, keeping a low, strong dribble will reap more rewards than dribbling loose and high. Being tall will help you get rebounds, but working hard at pursuing and having a nose for angles will elevate your ability. Always be willing to improve.

“We can always be average and just do what’s normal. I’m not in this to do what’s normal.”
— Kobe Bryant

If you are already doing something your way or a prior mentor/coach’s way at an impressive clip - that's great. A good trainer or coach can recognize that and allow you to keep doing your thing. However, if they advise you to tweak it slightly to improve consistency (like keeping your elbow in a bit more while you shoot), it can't hurt to listen and give it a legitimate try.

We may be biased, but results don't lie. The Basketball Movement is the premier training facility in this part of the country, with the best coaches and trainers. If you're already good, that's awesome - we love it. There is however an opportunity for you to become great, and we would love to help you. So contact us here to take your game to the next level.

What is your plan for getting better?

Many of you are still deep in your basketball season, whether in high school, college, or the NBA. So what is your plan once it’s over?

We are in one of our favorite times of the year for basketball (well, if we’re being honest, it’s always our favorite time of the year for basketball). Players are at their busiest because regular seasons are winding down. From upcoming high school district contests to the NBA All-Star break, seasons are plateauing.

Even though players are busy, the best still find time to put in extra reps. Many players coming through our doors this time of year are men and women that have separated themselves from boys and girls. Shout out to those players for coming to work after their teammates have finished practice and gone home. We see you.

We also understand that finding adequate time for these extra reps isn't always possible. Especially at the collegiate level on down, other factors such as school work and family take up your time. Even a few sessions a month with us can make a world of difference, though. Anyway - downtime is coming.

It is a bit early for looking ahead to the offseason, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Whether your team is bounced in the first round or goes all the way, the season will end eventually. Once it’s over, do you have a plan to continue getting better?

Even the top athletes will lose too much ground if they wait until the next season to pick a basketball back up. So don’t lose your edge this offseason. Instead, continue to improve so you can come back stronger, smarter, faster, and more skilled next season. The Basketball Movement wants to help.

Even as a multi-sport athlete, you still must make time to hone your craft. Otherwise, the competition may catch up, eclipse you, or pull further ahead. 

Contact The Basketball Movement to make a plan. We want to work with you to take your game to the next level. Show up to your first practice next season and wow your coaches and teammates. Coaches quickly start forming starting lineups in their heads, schemes, plays, and pecking order; insert yourself into the front of their minds.

Shoot us an email at basketballmovement@yahoo.com, and include a contact number. One of our coaches will be in contact with you or your athlete so we can discuss the ways we can help. Skill development is our bread and butter, but what sets us apart is our conditioning, strength training, basketball IQ enhancement, film study, nutrition, stretching tips, and a wealth of basketball knowledge and expertise.

If you are ready to get serious about getting better,contact The Basketball Movement.

Yanders Law making NCAA waves

Yanders Law Basketball has been on a new level for a few seasons, with alumni continuing to make a splash around NCAA hoops.

The Basketball Movement is affiliated with the Yanders Law AAU basketball program. Rob Yanders established the program in 2010, and it has been steadily elevating in level of play since then.

That elevation recently culminated in some of the best squads in the program’s history. The alums from these squads can be found all around the country. Several recently hit the transfer portal, spreading the Yanders Law footprint further than ever before.

We are incredibly proud of our #LawNation family members that not only choose to pursue college ball but put the work in to make it a reality.

From Trevon Brazile's dunks in Arkansas to Ty Appleby shredding opponents at Wake Forest, our players have been popping up regularly on social media.

When possible, Yanders Law, The Basketball Movement, and Rob Yanders himself share these moments on our social media pages. So be sure to follow along to see what these hometown kids are doing on a more national stage.

As we said, our pride cannot be overstated. The Yanders Law alumni currently playing college ball not only have incredible work ethics but are also of high character.

Our programs cannot exist without players like these. Follow along with us and continue showing the support that has helped them achieve their hoop dreams!

We Are United vs. Sunrise Post-Grad

We Are United host Sunrise Post-Grad this Saturday (2/4)

As coaches and staff will be preparing for We Are United prep's home matchup against Sunrise Post-Grad, The Basketball Movement will not host a Saturday Clinic this weekend.

The game will take place on The Basketball Movement's East Court at 3:00 PM (CST). Our doors will be open for spectators, but you will need to hurry in if you want to secure the court-side leather seats!

We Are United is having another successful season under Head Coach Rob Yanders, who would love to see your support tomorrow!

"We have some stuff going on down here that the Springfield area hasn't had before," Yanders says. "The level of hoops our program has brought to the area has already impacted local college programs as well as elevated the Southwest Missouri hoops scene as a whole."

Come out and see what the noise is all about this Saturday at 3:00! 

Our usual Saturday Clinics will resume soon - keep an eye on The Basketball Movement Twitter and Facebook for updates.

"Don Don" Ferguson college commitment

Donald Ferguson III, better known at We Are United as “Don Don,” has committed to the University of Central Missouri.

6’2 Don Don Ferguson is a well-rounded guard out of Osseo, Minnesota. He has been standing out this season for Rob Yanders’ We Are United prep team and has garnered plenty of interest. Recently, he announced his commitment to play for the University of Central Missouri.

“I loved the coaching staff, first off,” Ferguson says on what helped his decision. “(The coaches) seem big on the individuals and really care about their players off the court. That stuck out to me. They care about your life past basketball.”

Don Don considers his strengths to be shooting, handling, floor spacing, his ability to read defenses, jump the passing lanes, being a team player, and having a high basketball IQ.

Currently focusing on his shooting and finishing, he elaborated on what the Mules can expect from him:

“A killer,” Ferguson says. “I am a guy that can score the ball but am also a great teammate. I pick my teammates up.”

Now that college ball is a reality, Don Don can reflect on how his time with Coach Yanders prepared him for the next level. “It has prepared me mentally,” he says. “I have learned about hard work, being locked in, and how success means no days off.”

“(Yanders) can push you to limits you didn’t know you had. It is all about mental and physical toughness - being a dawg. Hard work-wise, there won’t be much new to me when it comes to college.”

For players considering coming to We Are United, Ferguson says you will become mentally tougher, but you also have to come in with a tough mindset from the get.

“Come here, and you WILL get better,” Ferguson says. “You will play real basketball down here. Go from a boy to a man down here. You have to be serious about basketball.  There is no turning back, no fifty-fifty. It has to be 100 percent what you want, and then you will see those results.”

Yanders and the We Are United prep family are proud of any player that can put in the necessary work here and make their dream a reality. We are excited for the next chapter in Don Don’s journey and have little doubt about the impact he will have on his new team.

Good luck, Don Don!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

As a black-owned business, The Basketball Movement recognizes the gravity of Martin Luther King Junior’s impact.

Rob Yanders and his entities have always made a point to embrace diversity, practice acceptance, and remain vigilant in upholding the vision of trailblazers such as Martin Luther King Jr.

Being knowledgeable about the triumphs and struggles of those that have come before is critical, but the learning can never stop. Therefore, Yanders makes sure his staff, Yanders Law athletes, and students of We Are United are well-versed in the history that makes what he does possible.

Yanders is a black man that has started a prep school, created and run a successful AAU program, operated a training facility that has bettered the lives of thousands, spoken at events, and put on charitable functions that have impacted many individuals. The sacrifices that occurred to make these things possible in America are not lost on him.

“We have obviously come so far in this country,” Yanders says. “Just as obvious is that we still have work to do. I am proud of our community and the work being done. I hope that the acceptance we see at our facility is also being practiced behind closed doors so that we can continue improving with each generation.”

As a proud black business owner, Yanders hopes that everyone spends Martin Luther King Jr. Day reflecting on the teachings of Doctor King as well as practicing self-examination. Stifling ingrained prejudices is not easy. But, we must all work on ourselves, lift up others, and always bring our A-game regarding matters of acceptance and equal treatment.

Basketball and sports, in general, are great equalizers that bring people together regardless of race or ethnicity. Every year, the NBA does a great job of highlighting Dr. King and blasting reminders of his legacy while delivering a terrific slate of games.

Tune in while you spend your time reflecting. Hoops can bring us together, but so can learning, time spent giving back, and uplifting action. We at The Basketball Movement appreciate you for reading and taking the time to reflect and better our community. Come by any time, and we can get better together!

Tournament of Champions - Championship Saturday

The 2023 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions enters the final day with a dunk contest and championship basketball on deck.

The 2023 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions will begin its third and final day in just a few short hours. Starting with the seventh-place game at 2:30 pm (CST), this will be another full day of some of the best high school hoops the area will see live this year.

The seventh-place game will feature the Bartlett Panthers (TN) against the hometown Kickapoo Chiefs. Trae Oetting has been effective getting into the paint for Kickapoo, who will need improved efficiency from their big men to put together a complete game and get a win. Bartlett has not shot the ball well in the tournament and needs to turn things around quickly.

Next will be Staley (Kansas City, MO) vs. St. Rita (IL) in the fifth-place game at 4:00 pm. Staley is coming off a big win against fellow Missouri Class 6 Kickapoo. Senior guard Kyan Evans shot perfectly from the field for Staley in that one going 9-9, including five threes and seven assists.

St. Rita defeated Bartlett last night, led by juniors Nojus Indrusaitus and Morez Johnson, who both eclipsed the 20-point mark, adding 16 rebounds between them.

Next tonight will be the Slam Dunk Contest, which typically features some area high school dunkers as well as talent from the teams of the tournament, should they choose to participate. Keep an eye on The Basketball Movement Instagram for highlights!

Duking it out in the third-place game will be the Calvary Christian Eagles and the Christ the King Royals at 7:00 pm.

Christ the King put up an excellent fight last night, holding Link Academy to 37 percent shooting from the field. The Royals went 7-15 from deep, led by senior Devin Vanterpool. For Calvary Christian, a balanced attack has been the name of the game, though they only managed 41 points against Sunrise Christian. Look for guards Jaylen Curry and Carl Cherenfont to continue their strong play.

As many anticipated ahead of the tournament, the championship game (9:00 pm start) will feature Link Academy (Branson, MO) and Sunrise Christian (KS). Two of the top 10 teams in the country will clash in this one, promising a great game with plenty on the line.

Link Academy did not shoot well last night but was still able to win with their insane defensive athleticism and fluid offense. If they can find their shooting stroke, they will be difficult to stop.

Sunrise Christian has been keeping one of the tighter rotations in the tournament. They faltered last night shooting the three-ball, though that appeared to be one of their better weapons night one. Triples will be a significant factor in this one if they are to pull off a win. The 7’2 John Bol had a double-double last night for the Buffaloes and will need to continue to use all that length against Link Academy, who has plenty of size of their own.

Remember to follow along as The Basketball Movement covers the tourney! We also have day 1 game highlights on our YouTube channel if you missed any of the impressive action. See you at the games!

2023 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions

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

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

A full tournament bracket can be found below:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pursue your passion at The Basketball Movement

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why The Basketball Movement?

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

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

Coincidence? C’mon now.

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

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

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

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

We Are United Signings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rob Yanders - Vision to Reality

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Colin Hardrick - We Are United

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Colin Hardrick is willing to work.

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

We Are United - Makuei Riek

6’6 guard Makuei Riek is a UW-Milwaukee University commit set to make a splash with We Are United.

First, congrats to We Are United’s Makuei Riek for committing to a quality D1 program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Second: congrats to UW-Milwaukee for securing a quality person and player whose arrow is pointing straight up.

A 6’6 guard out of Minnesota, Makuei has spent many summers traveling to the Milwaukee area to play AAU ball, so he is already familiar with the area. Upon even further inspection, he fell for the city.

“I toured the city on a visit,” Riek says. “I got to see places I’d be and meet many of the people I’d be around. I felt a lot of love, and it seemed like home.

Makuei loves nature and is excited to be near a beautiful lake. However, it was the environment of the basketball program that was the deciding factor. “The staff was very caring,” Riek says. “I watched a practice, and the coaches push you to be your best and also seem great to be around.”

Sharing a mindset with coaches is also what steered Makuei to We Are United prep. Ultimately, he decided to come because of Coach Rob Yanders.

“What made me decide on We Are United was Coach Rob - him showing up for me and trusting in me,” Riek says. “I have faith in what he has told me and where he believes he can get me. He’s a hard worker, I’m a hard worker, and I always try to be around people who share the same goals as me.”

Even though we are just scratching the surface of the We Are United season, Makuei says that Yanders has already prepared him mentally, physically, and spiritually for the next level of hoops.

“The season has just started, so we’re still working,” Riek says. “(Coach Yanders) speaks to us as adults. He tells us what we need to hear, not always what we want to hear. He is making us better as men, not just as players.”

Yanders tells his players what they need to hear, but that does not mean he has any shortage of praise for his big new guard.

“He great to be around and is also just a big-time basketball player,” Yanders says. He is a guy that can flat-out score. Coach (Bart) Lundy runs an up-tempo style that will suit him. He knows how to play, scores in bunches, and can be an impact player right away.”

Currently, Makuei says he is working on fully incorporating everything he has learned and using it to make others better. “I want to be a better teammate, better scorer… I’m just learning to grow as a true basketball player,” Riek says. “I am learning to play guard, the four, or any position I find myself in. I am learning the ‘why’ behind where to be on the court.”

If Makuei is hoping to be a sponge, soaking up basketball knowledge, he is in the right place.

To his next team, UW-Milwaukee, he plans to take the work he learns at We Are United and apply it to make his whole team better.

“I am always going to come in wanting to improve,” Riek says. “I work to get better every time I lace my shoes up. I am always going to push and do everything I can to make others get better as well as myself. I want to be a great leader and role model however I can.”

Makuei is already a leader by example. As the We Are United season forges ahead, expect continual improvement to his already impressive game. Stay tuned.

We Are United - Juok Riak

We Are United forward Juok Riak has already committed to Drury University ahead of a big prep season.

A 6’8 forward out of Madison La Follette high school in Madison, Wisconsin, Juok Riak is set to be a force for Rob Yanders’ We Are United prep squad. What’s more, he has also committed to playing next year right here in Springfield for Drury University.

Juok knew that coming to The Basketball Movement, home of We Are United, would not necessarily be an easy route. Nevertheless, he eagerly accepted the challenge.

“I was told that it’d be hard by former (We Are United) players,” Riak says. “I also knew that Rob (Yanders) gets it done. That’s why I wanted to come here.”

Asked what Yanders has already done to prepare him for the next level, Juok responded like a player that had already been through quite the gauntlet, though we are just scratching the surface of the 2022-23 We Are United season.

“Man… we are doing college work,” Riak says. “It is like being in college already. Rob - he’s been there. Everything he puts us through is work to get us ready.”

While Juok experiences the blood, sweat, and tears that go into being a Robert Yanders certified player, he can hopefully rest easy knowing that Yanders is impressed by what he has seen so far.

“He is fun to coach,” Yanders says of Riak. “He is a good kid with an amazing personality to go with his impressive game.”

That game has already landed Juok some college offers - one of which he accepted right here in Southwest, Missouri, despite being brand new to the area.

“He is an intelligent player… can pass and do it all,” Yanders says. “He will do great for Drury, and we will get many chances to watch him succeed.”

An athletic six-foot-eight, Juok Riak can immediately be recognized as a potential force on the hardwood. Add existing film and the well-known ability of Rob Yanders to develop players, and the coaching staff at Drury University recognized that they needed to try their hand at an offer. It paid off.

“Coach Foster and Coach Carr believed in me,” Riak says. “We haven’t even played a game yet, and they believe in me so much. They are telling me how good I can be working with Rob. With coaches that have that belief in me, why waste time in committing there?”

Juok will bring size and a true interior presence to his new squad. In addition, he is an excellent rebounder and has a high basketball IQ that allows him to make the right plays on the floor. “I am a hard worker,” Riak says. “I’m unselfish and push teammates to be better on and off the court.”

Riak says he is currently focusing on stretching the floor and improving upon all the facets of the game he is good at already. “I’m now trying to be great at things,” he says. “I am continuing to learn the game and how to always play the right way - that’s the most important thing.”

We Are United is on the road this weekend, and Drury Panther fans should definitely follow along as the highlights start to roll in. Next season, Juok will join Logan Applegate at Drury, another We Are United alumni. Retaining talent in the area allows us to keep a close eye on our guys and continue to work with them. Riak has professional aspirations as well as the motor and tools to achieve them. Don’t blink.

Zach Howell Shooting Camp

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Look inside The Basketball Movement workouts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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