Interview By Josh Staph

If you relied solely on pick-up basketball, you wouldn’t improve your game much, because you’d play how you always play. You might become fitter, stronger or more adept at competing, but as far as your overall game, you won’t improve. The only way to get better at this game is to be taught the right way and practice the right way.

When I was younger, I played pick-up games seven days a week in my neighborhood. Then I’d spend an hour and a half each day just shooting. The biggest fault I see in kids today is their inability to shoot the basketball; and shooting is the most important skill in the game. You need to do that individual work on your game before you play. When our season ends, my assistants and I have our guys in the gym three days a week, shooting the entire time.

If you can really shoot the basketball, you’re going to play. You’ll help your high school team; you’ll be recruited; and you’ll help a college team. All high school kids should go to exposure camps during the summer. That’s a must, because the college coaches are there. In our area, it’s the Eastern Invitational, which is organized by the Hoop Group. Once you’ve worked on your skills, this is a great place to show them off for college coaches.