Gabriel C.

My coaching experience comes from both my background as a collegiate basketball player and my work training youth athletes at summer basketball camps. At these camps, I worked directly with young players, teaching fundamental basketball skills such as shooting, ball handling, passing, defensive techniques, and overall game strategy. I also helped lead drills, organize practices, and provide individual feedback to help athletes improve their performance and confidence on the court. I have primarily worked with youth athletes ranging from elementary to middle school age, though I have also interacted with older players in camp settings. My experience has given me the opportunity to work with athletes of varying skill levels, from beginners learning the fundamentals to more experienced players looking to refine their game. As a collegiate basketball player, I bring firsthand knowledge of high-level training, teamwork, discipline, and athletic development. My playing experience allows me to teach not only technical skills but also the work ethic, communication, and mental approach necessary for success in sports.

I competed at both the high school and collegiate levels, playing basketball at Long Beach Polytechnic High School and later at Carleton College. Throughout my basketball career, I developed a reputation as one of the top shooters in the Long Beach area, a skill I spent years refining through dedicated training and repetition. I was fortunate to learn from and train with some of the best shooting coaches and players in the game, which gave me a deep understanding of shooting mechanics, footwork, repetition-based skill development, and the mental aspects of becoming an elite shooter. These experiences shaped both my success as a player and my approach to teaching the game.

A typical session with me focuses on developing game-ready skills through high repetition and attention to detail. While every workout is tailored to the athlete's age, skill level, and goals, my sessions generally follow a structured progression that builds strong fundamentals before advancing to more complex game situations. We begin with a dynamic warm-up and ball-handling work to improve coordination and footwork. From there, I focus heavily on shooting mechanics, including balance, hand placement, footwork, follow-through, and shot preparation. As someone who built my game around shooting, I believe proper mechanics and consistent repetition are the foundation of becoming a great player and great shooter. After form shooting, we progress into game-speed shooting drills that simulate situations athletes will encounter during competition. These may include catch-and-shoot opportunities, shooting off movement, shooting off the dribble, and shots under time or conditioning pressure. I emphasize not just making shots, but understanding how to create quality scoring opportunities through proper footwork and decision-making. Depending on the athlete's goals, we also incorporate ball-handling, rim finishing, passing, defensive footwork, and basketball IQ development. Throughout the session, I provide constant coaching and adjustments to help athletes understand why a technique works rather than simply repeating drills.