Coach Hannah Kicks Off Her First-Ever Mentorship Program at Unlimited Potential Basketball

By: Andrea Aruino

Consistency serves as a hallmark to achieving your highest goals. Here at Unlimited Potential Basketball, Coach Hannah who is a Player Developmental Coach and Special Projects Coordinator is launching her first ever mentorship program. As a young athlete, many do as they’re taught and one thing that shooting drills or strength conditioning doesn’t teach is all of the work that isn’t showcased on the court. 

This mentorship program will include going over in-game film, analyzing what can be fixed, and what has been successful thus far in the player’s career. Aside from that, Coach Hannah wants to emphasize consistency in all of this work. This can look like joining her on a Zoom call to discuss what the player’s goals are looking like and how they can work together to reach those targets.

Before Johnson ever became “coach” she was one who looked to others to help her succeed as a player. She comes from a background of competing in a prestigious program like the University of Washington which naturally comes with its own intense pressures. That’s when one of her coaches at the time, Morgan Valley, stepped in to become her mentor.

“One of my coaches at the University of Washington, who is currently the Assistant for UConn, was a mentor of mine and would spend everyday in the gym with me to be able to have that consistency. She would watch film with me which helped me grow as a player and person. It really gave me confidence and motivation to have someone on a consistent basis help me develop,” Coach Hannah said. 

As a player and now as a coach, Johnson is well seasoned in the world of basketball and wants to be that guide for players who are unsure of any aspect of their game whether that be their identity with their sport, skills, or uncertainty on what their plans are when playing. Coach Hannah wants to be that pillar that players can lean on as she draws on her own experiences of being a student of the game. 

“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,” Coach Hannah said. 

UPB is pushing towards work that involves every facet of the game outside of shooting and defensive drills despite that being a crucial part of basketball. Talking to a trusted coach about creating a routine that allows for feasible consistency when creating goals is a huge milestone that she wants these athletes to reach. Coach Hannah and as for all of the coaches at UPB, want to expose the players to possibilities they never even knew were possible. 

Achievements celebrated at UPB are beyond a player’s stat line, it’s also important that coaches make sure everyone feels like they have a community when they join. Joining this mentorship program will allow these athletes to create a bond built on trust and commitment. 

“The mentorship program will help grow our gym, get talent together in the same space, and just create a safe and caring environment for athletes to feel comfortable being who they are,” Coach Hannah emphasizes. 

This mentorship program launches on June 1st and Coach Hannah is excited to work with new and familiar faces! Mentorship is just one of the few ways that UPB wants to extend the knowledge of these coaches to its athletes. It’s also the foundation to creating a well rounded routine in approaching the highs and lows of basketball. You can click here to learn more about Coach Hannah’s Mentorship Program.