“I would say my biggest goal is just to get better, and see where it takes me. If I keep getting better, opportunities will come,” Brown said. “Just trying to work on different skill sets, trying to learn the game a lot better, trying to carry myself a lot better, and just learn[ing] how to be a pro.”

In June it will be a year that I have been with UPB, working remotely from Phoenix, Arizona. Now that school is out for the summer, I am happy to say that I will be in the Bay Area for the next three months and will be able to work in person at the UPB Training Facility. This summer, I will be able to broaden my skills and learn new things as an Operations Intern, as well as keep my role as a Writer and Social Media Coordinator.

“[I love basketball because of the] connections for sure. I always think about [how] if I didn't play basketball, I wouldn't have traveled this much [around the] world [and] I would have never met this pot of different people from everywhere… I can't really think of any other thing that I personally would do that would open up so many doors and so many connections, so that's why I love it,” Savickaitė said.

Poole has had 34 regular-season games where he has scored more than 20 points. In the month of March and leading into April, Poole scored more than 20 points in 17 games straight, with his season high of 38 points against the Phoenix Suns on March 30th. He led the NBA in three-point shots made in March with 67.

“I came here with the vision of being my best self and showing up every day at every game producing and having the best percentages I could and just leaving it all on the court type of thing,” Cowling said. “This year [is] actually my highest [in] my scoring, my rebounding and everything, so I'm very proud of that.”

"It really just built his confidence as well, to be able to understand not only what [the] other types of players he's playing with [are]... but to understand the great player that is inside of him and to be able to bring that out. We have [seen] his time with Packie being able to really bring out the greatest in himself. It's believing in yourself and having that confidence. So it's the skill set, but it's also the confidence we've watched increase over the period of time,” Mrs. Westmoreland said.

“We love the trainers, we love the way they work with them. They take each individual really seriously. They really know their strengths, their weaknesses, they know how to build their confidence and their skills, they know what to work towards. They know where he needs to work harder, and they're not afraid to call him out on it, and he's not afraid to step up to the challenge,” Yun said.

“Throughout the game, in my mind, I always knew we were going to win, but it's kind of like a different type of realization when the time is about to hit zero and you really realize you're actually going to win,” Somvichian said. “It's kind of a surreal feeling, and when the buzzer went off we were all just so happy. It was just a great moment.”

“It starts with opportunity, it starts with exposure, and it starts with falling in love with the game. Our goal is just to help girls fall in love with basketball,” said Coach Packie Turner

“If we're talking about Hoopers, there are [movements that] I call prehab movements, things that are going to help you stay out of rehab,” Sanchez said. “The ankles and the hips are so vital to them, right? So just simple things [such as] ankle rockers or mini band work so that it helps the hips strengthen and allows the gluteus medius to do what it's supposed to, [and] stretching the hip.”

“I think that it's definitely going to be beneficial for young athletes to make sure that when their bodies are in their prime, and they're able to train and have the time and energy to train as much as they can, they want to make sure they’re getting the most out of it,” Abaya said. “So much of [preparation,] recovery, and fuel is in nutrition, and it doesn't seem like kids have that knowledge.”

“Sports, academics, public speaking, in the operating room, or wherever, you have to know how to manage your emotions. No matter what happens in front of you, stay in that performance state. Deal with the other stuff later, but you can't just all of a sudden fall apart,” Toon said.

“For me, that's just finding ways that I can slot in and contribute to our team winning games, you know. Whether that means scoring, whether that means passing, whether that means just making sure people are in the right spots, playing defense, whatever that takes, I'm willing to do it,” Friedkin said.

“I think [my] favorite part [of my job] is just seeing how people approach life, you know, there's no right way, there's no wrong way. I think everyone has their own way of doing it, and then capturing greatness within that individual,” Crocker said. “So being able to translate just greatness and potential within people through film, and through videos, I think is the most fulfilling thing, and the relationships afterwards are really cool too.”

“I've had the best of both [teammates and coaches] and that is rare. Very rare from what I've heard from former teammates I’ve played with or even people that I played against,” Thomas said. “So our connection has been really good. I would definitely call them another part of my family for sure. They make things not just easier, but they make you enjoy the experience.”

“Like anything in life, it begins with your mindset. With what you believe to be true. If you have self doubt, you will hesitate in [the] game. We work to not only sharpen your physical tools but also your mental tools to allow you to fully trust your work and stop listening to the old stories in our head as to why we cannot do something,” Coach Packie said.

“The most important thing [is] everybody that works hard will get an opportunity at some point. I think my suggestion is trusting the process and being okay [with] starting at the bottom. Pay your dues… Look for that opportunity and when you receive [it], work hard and be patient with it. Enjoy the process of growing and learning instead of just expecting instant success.”

“They're invested in seeing him be successful on and off the court. So when he has struggles or some frustrations, it's been nice for them to give us some encouragement… You can’t always get that from different places. UPB is just not just a training place, it's a community. They want to see kids achieve.”

Over the last week of November, the Saints placed in the D2SIDA Women’s Basketball Division II Media Poll for the first time in program History. The team tied with Southwestern Oklahoma State at No. 25. Sopak not only credits the team’s defense for their success, but also credits the relationships that she and her teammates have built together.