Inside the Culture of UPBasketball Camps
2.5 Minute read
By Andrea Aruino
Behind every UPBasketball camp is a group of coaches who are committed to providing each athlete with as much confidence and skill after leaving the camp. Coach Wes Preston has been a Player and Development Coach since 2024. Since then he has been heavily involved with group and private training while working closely on camps with Coach Hannah Johnson learning and growing the camps each year side by side.
Footwork, combo moves, live game scenarios, and mentally challenging drills are just a few of the elements athletes can expect at a UPBasketball camp. Each session is intentionally designed to push players outside of their comfort zones while helping them grow as confident individuals. Behind that structure is a coaching staff fully invested in each player’s progress, including Player Development Coach Wes Preston, who has been with UPBasketball since 2024. He is heavily involved in group and private training while working closely with Coach Hannah Johnson to continuously refine and elevate the camp experience year after year.
Camps at UPBasketball are always evolving to continuously engage players which is something Coach Preston is eager to maintain during each session. Within the three hours of camp, athletes are provided with a structured schedule that builds their focus while honing in on techniques that diversify their training each day. It gives athletes an environment that welcomes challenge but also fun through basketball. More specifically players can expect to work on skills such as footwork, combo moves, passing, and have the opportunity to scrimmage at the end.
Coach Wes has been around enough camps to see what has worked and what does not. He and the rest of the coaches on the floor are not focused on who can shoot the most shots or make the flashiest pass, they are looking for those who are willing to step up as leaders within the group. Camps build character and surrounding young athletes with other kids their age allows them to inspire each other.
“When we start camps, we choose leaders who are usually older and have been around our camps in the past. We give them the responsibility of being a leader [in their groups] and encouraging other players. Seeing somebody who can do it and plays at that level kind of lights that fire inside and allows them to see what’s possible for them,” Coach Preston said.
Woven throughout the skill development is intentional team building, which prepares players for the competitive activities they work toward over the course of camp. Each session is strategically structured to help players progressively apply the skills they learn. Coach Wes sets the tone by opening with one-on-one play, allowing athletes to sharpen their defensive footwork. The transition to three-on-three shifts the focus to spacing and learning how to support teammates, with or without the ball. By the time the group reaches five-on-five action, players have built a full toolbox with the ability to apply their skills confidently as each layer is added step by step.
While building confidence and skill is a priority, coaches are equally committed to keeping camp fun and engaging. With a mix of returning and new players each session, the goal is always to introduce fresh elements to the agenda which ensures every camp feels exciting and worth coming back to. This takes lots of planning and discussion that keeps all coaches on the same page. Each coach knows their role during the camp making it easier for players to piece all of their learning together. None of these camps would be what they are without the coaches who bring in energy day in and day out.
“The crew that we bring on is a huge part of the planning process. We think about what each coach can bring, how their perspective will make this drill more immersive, what ideas they can bring to the table. We have a great team here and the combination of coaches makes the camp. At the end of the day all we want is to see the kids enjoy themselves,” Coach Preston said.
The combination of passionate coaches and eager players who are ready to learn is an environment that every UPBasketball camp cultivates. Make sure to sign up for UPB’s upcoming 3rd-7th Grade Presidents’ Day camp happening on Monday, February 16 from 1:00pm-4:00pm to experience the joy and fun that basketball brings to our communities.
