“When I first got to Australia it felt like I wasn’t doing enough because of how little we would practice. I realized I was stuck in the mentality that I had to be perfect in order to play on a college court but this thought process tainted me. I learned quickly that it was okay to chill and to simply have fun with it.”

Training at UPB was a critical point in her life, which inspired her to go in the direction of coaching other players. As a psychology major, Eisenman is most interested in how she can merge her love for basketball as well as her knowledge on how thinking affects our actions. There’s no doubt that the mind has the power to shift our experiences and that’s something she wants to emphasize to the young athletes she works with.

“Our coaches MAKE IT. Their energy, their engagement, and their willingness to help kids get better just creates a really good welcoming environment. We care, we enjoy the kids' energy, and we want to help as much as we can. It’s a really fun environment, we have a great group of coaches that bring the energy and enjoy building relationships with the kids”

“I want to be able to create that trainer to player connection that I’ve noticed with other coaches and their athletes, I know that’s important to development. Overall I want to become a well-rounded coach and get to know all of the coaches and players on a deeper level”

Studies show that athletes who get injured often struggle with things like anxiety, frustration, and even depression. It’s not just about missing games—it’s about missing your routine, your teammates, your identity. And for young athletes, that hit can feel even harder. So how do you deal with it?

One of our goals is to lead by example, so what better way can dads do that than to be side by side playing with their daughter? And it’s a mutual thing, we’ve seen girls encourage their fathers as well. At the end of the day the goal is to bond and have fun, it doesn’t matter if shots were missed or passes were off. What matters are the memories made and the community created.

“It was a fantastic experience to be around that level of basketball, how those guys prepare for the draft was really cool. I’ve been around basketball my whole life but what was the most fascinating part of these workouts was the fact that the things we teach kids are the same things we’re doing in these workouts but obviously at a different level,” Coach Corey said. 

“Mentorship is important outside of basketball as well because kids go through a lot nowadays. Being able to ask for advice on how to navigate things on and off the court and having someone who has been in their shoes helps them be seen and heard. Consistency leads to confidence which leads to results and I hope this helps athletes be able to recognize that.”

 “I trusted Gabby’s perspective and once I met Packie, I immediately knew—I needed him on my team. His heart, his clarity, and the authenticity of his purpose stood out. His gym and staff don’t just reflect his values—they breathe life into them. Since then, we’ve been creating together, thinking outside the box, and leaning into what’s possible. It was clear from day one—it wasn’t just about sport or how we could benefit from one another. It was about how we could make a difference and impact our community together”

Each of these mental tools—meditation, visualization, and positive self-talk—can make a big impact on their own. When used together, they create a powerful mental training system that helps athletes stay focused, confident, and resilient. At UPB, we believe in developing the whole athlete, and that means training the mind just as intentionally as we train the body. Continue to train the MVP’s in your mind, and you will become an MVP on the court.

Jing is a big contact type of play player, one that enjoys being able to draw fouls and create space for making plays in the post area. There’s no doubt that his body and motion were made for that type of physicality. Although after an injury, a heavy amount of contact can be damaging to parts of your body. Training with Coach Garrett allowed for Jing to further expand the skills he already had in his tool box, all they had to do was invest in those strong assets that Jing possessed, making them available to him and his teammates.

From filling out your bracket to a team cutting the net, the most exciting time in college basketball has finally come to a close and this tournament was one for the books. If there’s one thing you can count on March Madness for it’s the pure terror, excitement, and anticipation of these games, and this year was no different. 

“Hosting the clinic here just seemed natural considering I train with everyone here. Why not share that with these young athletes? Everyone here has so much knowledge and skill to share about the game and that’s the whole goal,” Jones said. 

Parents play a critical role in an athlete’s development, particularly when it comes to supporting their mental and emotional growth. However, it’s a unique role that can be tough to navigate. You’re not their coach, but you’re also more than just a cheerleader.

Taking away two players from each team calls for an adjustment in order to succeed. Johnson outlined the differences that come with playing 3v3, which includes having more room on the court allowing for more opportunity to make the right reads or a faster pace which encourages strategic thinking under pressure

“I love seeing how excited the girls get for each other, especially when a girl makes a basket. They create such a positive environment and always cheer one another on! It’s always nice to see all the girls smiling and laughing throughout the clinic,” Coach V said.

“The earlier you start mental training, the easier it is to mold your brain into a mindset built on good habits. It’s easier to train your brain because the older you are the more cemented you are in your beliefs and habits but there’s always room to learn and grow” 

If there’s one lesson that basketball has taught Coach Elijah Duque, it’s that life is full of unexpected curveballs whether they are good or bad–but the mindset that you embody to approach those moments are what matter the most.

 “If [Coach Dylan] had never encouraged me to try out for the AAU team again, I wouldn’t be on the team. UPB is a really supportive environment and is a positive community that makes me love basketball even more,” Gotelli said.

Anticipation is building as we are all excited to see how these players perform and interact with each other on the court for the 74th All-Star weekend. The stage is set for a weekend of competition and fun, it’s only a matter of time before the action unfolds!