“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!

Tehada emphasizes UPB’s commitment to ensuring that every player and family feels welcome. He gained inspiration from seeing firsthand how much power a supportive and determined organization can do for someone no matter what level they’re at with basketball and in life.

“Being part of the LMU program has impacted me to be a better teammate and want to be better for my team. It has helped me put others before my own needs, and that’s something that we have fought for and is important for our team dynamic,” Hernandez said.

“Doing well in school is important to your collegiate career because it helps to build habits that you will need later on in your life. Being able to multitask and succeed in areas that are pretty different from each other help to be successful in your career later,” Hernandez stated.

Basketball has evolved immensely over the years. One of the key hoop trends has been a focus on shooting the ball from all areas of the court. Whether it be shooting the three ball, a midrange fadeaway, or finishing at the rim off a drive, athletes more than ever are developing their shot no matter where they are on the court and no matter what position or role they play on their team. Shooting, just like any other basketball skill, can be honed and developed over time. By simply focusing on a few drills and practicing these skills consistently and intentionally, athletes can take their offensive game to the next level.

“I feel like to be a good teammate you're sharing the ball, you're encouraging people, you're supporting people…You need everybody to be together and to be a team, so I think impact wise, I want to kind of preach being good teammates, encouraging others, and constantly communicating because I think that's what makes athletes really stand out,” Stonebarger stated.

“When female athletes are surrounded by other athletes who are just like them, and they see these young women as role models, we hope that just encourages them to stay in the game that much longer. What we see from the young women coaching girls in particular is that they just tune in to who they are and their experience as kids in a different way,” Baker stated.

“My personal highlight and favorite part of the year was our one year anniversary event at the new gym. It was a great turnout and we had so many people come join us for group training, food trucks and raffle tickets,” said UPB’s Operations Manager, Madisen Carter. “Our community is what makes us us, so it was a great experience to give back to them. We truly appreciate their continuous support.”