A common theme that Yamamoto prioritizes when it comes to choosing the team he plays for is brotherhood, an aspect of culture that’s just as important as any. Being surrounded by peers whose goals are centered around education and basketball has allowed him to thrive in a way that keeps him focused. Having teammates who share similar goals and are willing to push one another has made his high school experience especially meaningful.

“I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge and experience of basketball with younger players. One of my favorite parts of coaching is seeing players improve their skills over time and knowing that I played a part in helping them get better,” Tapia said.

At this clinic, athletes will have the opportunity to learn techniques and training methods that Turner uses with players at the highest level of basketball, applying them to their own development. The session includes four key areas: attacking moves, ball handling, combo moves, and shooting. Through a series of focused skill stations, athletes will have the opportunity to hone in on fundamentals while also working in game-like situations while in these stations.

At every level of basketball, defense provides a team with something it can control. Players cannot guarantee that every shot will fall, but they can control their effort, communication, positioning, and willingness to compete for every possession, something that UPBasketball emphasizes throughout any training. Defense also reinforces the importance of playing as a unit. When one player gets beat, another must be ready to help. These habits reflect a broader lesson about basketball that individual talent can create opportunities, but collective effort allows a team to execute consistently.

“Juco basketball really helps someone find out who they are. There are so many obstacles that we go through, and you really get to see who you are as a player through Juco basketball,” Tava said.

Cardiff Met went on to win the championship 70-65, with Eisenman recording a double-double with 24 points, 14 rebounds, nine steals, two assists. To top it all off she was named the Finals MVP. After everything the team had experienced throughout the season, the victory became a reflection of the work they had put in from the beginning.

Player Development Coach, Navaeh Asiasi, had a remarkable senior season at Cal State LA. She was named 2025-26 CCAA Player of the Year and CCAA Tournament MVP, earned First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Region honors, was recognized as a Division II All-American, and helped lead the Golden Eagles to a CCAA Tournament Champion. These accolades are not to be missed when it comes to Asiasi’s journey, but this list represents four years of challenges and a determination to prove herself on the court.

“I couldn't have imagined what this would become. I just knew that there were kids out there looking for a positive role model and he was so good with them. Finding good coaches is so difficult that I wanted to do everything I could to make sure that he could be there for the kids that wanted to learn and wanted to be in the gym,” Bianca said. “We really grew from word of mouth. We didn't have any advertisements, we didn't have anything like that. We just allowed our clients to be our testimony and allowed the work to speak for itself,” Packie added on.

“Every athlete walks into our gym with different stories, different strengths, and they have different goals. Maybe it’s their first time coming in, maybe they’re an elite athlete. I feel like we take the time to get to know each and every player and just create an environment where they all feel seen, valued, and challenged,” Coach Veronica Barrot said.

The great part about strength training is that many exercises can be done at home with little to no equipment. The goal is to focus on consistency and quality to build strength that translates to the court. Players can begin developing the physical tools that support their game by focusing on three main areas.

“Coaching taught me that teaching others is one of the best ways to understand what you know. Learning how to help different people understand a concept has also helped me become a better leader,” Siegel said.

“We start every session with five minutes of therapy. I’ll tell Wes or Donovan, ‘hey, here's our play and here's what's missing.’ And they’re responsive, I like to talk through it with them and be honest about what was going on in my head. They’re great at giving me opportunities to grow and tactics to use on the court,” Coover said.

The three-page guide provides information and practical questions parents can use to better support their children, covering topics such as growth mindset, helping athletes relax and ways parents can encourage their development. It also explains what can happen inside an athlete’s brain and body during and after competition. By providing a basic understanding of brain development, emotions and processing, Ruelas hopes parents can better understand why their children may respond differently in certain situations.

Now heading into her sophomore season at IWU, Robinson reflects on her growth from her first year with the team. During her freshman season, she scored a total of 44 points with an average of 8.6 minutes per game, but her first season was not all about the stats. At Wesleyan, she had the opportunity to expand her role on the court. She was no longer just a guard but one who could execute the work of anyone else on the team if needed.

Adjusting to those differences, however, was not always easy. Playing overseas meant adapting not only to a new style of basketball, but also to an entirely new way of living. New teammates, unfamiliar routines, and cultural differences quickly pushed both players outside of their comfort zones. Something both Friedkin and Eisenman could relate to.

“Being able to train and coach allows me to help the next generation in learning those life skills and develop them on and off the court, and I think that’s really big. So it’s just about using basketball as a vehicle to be able to mentor and develop players. Every session I want them to end it better than they came in” Washington said.

"It was really fun, the best part was honestly seeing everyone have fun together and cheering everyone on. I also liked seeing all the girls who might not normally play basketball feel comfortable participating in the tournament," Eck said.

Team culture defines the ways in which a team goes about their practices, games, and off the court activities. Culture looks different for each basketball team, with different priorities and goals. What remains true across all team cultures is that the leaders and the people who make up the team are what lay the foundation that thrives over the long term. At UPBasketball, culture is built within every coach, drill, and run in order to give players a sense of what to look for within teams when they embark on their journey to finding one that fits.

“Growing up as a girl playing basketball, I feel like I was always super intimidated by others or older people. The Lead Your Way clinic was kind of to let the girls know that leaders aren't always the oldest player or the boys or the best player, but really just those who bring positive energy, communicate, and are hard workers,” Louie said. 

This summer, UPBasketball welcomed two former collegiate athletes to its coaching staff as Player Development Interns. Bailey Fong and Branden Antiporda arrived with different basketball journeys, but shared one goal of helping young athletes develop both on and off the court. Between years of collegiate competition, coaching experience, and a passion for mentorship, the pair bring fresh perspectives to UPBasketball while learning from coaches who have trained all levels of players.