OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BASKETBALL COACHES FALL 2021
2021 COMMUNITY
ASSIST TEAM
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THE OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BASKETBALL COACHES
2021
COLUMNS
FEATURES
From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Looking Back on 37 Years with the NABC Rick Leddy
2021 NABC Community Assist Team. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Coaches vs. Cancer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Critical Information for Suits and Sneakers Week
Hall of Fame Weekend Returns to the Spotlight this November . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Eric Weiberg
Coaches and Words: Encouraging or Reckless. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Carey Casey
Coach’s Clinic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Passing Drills Every Single Day Scott Davenport, Head Coach, Bellarmine University
NABC Chaplain’s Corner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Put Some Air in Your Tires Pastor Donnell Jones
Coach’s Clinic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Tried, Tested, and Versatile Charles Katsiaficas, Head Coach, Pomona-Pitzer Colleges
National High School Basketball Coaches Association. . . . . . . 16 Coaches Working Together Can Serve to Protect the Best Interest of the Student-Athlete Nalin Sood, NHSBCA Past President NCAA Eligibility Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Tinkle to Chair Division I Men’s Basketball Ethics Coalition
National Association of Basketball Coaches 1111 Main Street, Suite 1000 Kansas City, Missouri 64105 Phone: 816-878-6222 • Fax: 816-878-6223 www.NABC.com ______________________________________________ NABC EXECUTIVE STAFF Craig Robinson Executive Director Nate Pomeday Associate Executive Director Troy Hilton Senior Director of Corporate Relations and Association Affairs Stephanie Whitcher Chief Financial Officer Rick Leddy Senior Director of Communications Ebony Donohue Associate Director of Membership Mark Heatherman Senior Director of Special Events Janelle Guidry Director of Convention Wade Hageman Director of Corporate Relations Jenna Wright Director of Convention Housing Eric Wieberg Director of Digital & Social Media Elian Rodriguez Operations Specialist
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2021-22 NABC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jamie Dixon, President, TCU Gary Stewart, 1st Vice President, Stevenson University Lennie Acuff, 2nd Vice President/Secretary, Lipscomb University John Calipari, 3rd Vice President, University of Kentucky Matt Margenthaler, 4th Vice President, Minnesota State University Tommy Amaker, Director, Harvard University Bill Coen, Director, Northeastern University Pat Cunningham, Director Frank Martin, Director, University of South Carolina Matt Painter, Director, Purdue University Bob Huggins, Director, West Virginia University Cuonzo Martin, Director, University of Missouri Mike McGrath, Director, University of Chicago Pat Estepp, Director, Cedarville University Shaka Smart, Director, Marquette University Anthony Grant, Director, University of Dayton Mark Few, Director, Gonzaga University Charlie Brock, 2018-19 Past President, Springfield College Tom Izzo, Director Emeritus, Michigan State University Phil Martelli, Director Emeritus, University of Michigan John Moore, Director, NAIA Dave Archer, Director, National High School Basketball Coaches Association Thom McDonald, Director, NJCAA and Two-Year Colleges
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS NABC Executive Director: Craig Robinson NABC Associate Executive Director: Nate Pomeday Accountant: Brian Welch, Welch & Associates, LLC N ABC General Counsel: Dennis Coleman and Christopher Conniff, Ropes & Gray, LLP Dan Gavitt, NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Judy McLeod, Conference USA Commissioner and Chair/NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee Kevin Lennon, NCAA Vice President for Division I Governance PHOTO CREDITS: Courtesy Kenyon Athletics; Courtesy NYU Athletics; Courtesy Harvard Athletics; Courtesy Queens/Charlotte Athletics; Courtesy Penn State Altoona Athletics; Courtesy Ole Miss Athletics; Courtesy Marist Athletics; Courtesy Gonzaga Athletics; Courtesy South Carolina Athletics; Courtesy Florida A&M Athletics; Courtesy Bellarmine University Athletics; Courtesy Pomona-Pitzer Athletics. Time-Out is published quarterly by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
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Jamie Dixon President TCU
Gary Stewart First Vice President Stevenson University
Lennie Acuff Second Vice President Lipscomb University
John Calipari Third Vice President University of Kentucky
Matt Margenthaler Fourth Vice President, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Tommy Amaker, Director John Thompson III Harvard University
Bill Coen, Director Northeastern University
Pat Cunningham, Director
Frank Martin, Director University of South Carolina
Matt Painter, Director Purdue University
Bob Huggins, Director West Virginia University
Cuonzo Martin, Director University of Missouri
Mike McGrath, Director University of Chicago
Pat Estepp, Director Cedarville University
Shaka Smart, Director Marquette University
Anthony Grant, Director University of Dayton
Mark Few, Director Gonzaga University
Charlie Brock 2018-19 Past President Springfield College
Tom Izzo, Director Emeritus Michigan State University
Phil Martelli, Director Emeritus University of Michigan
John Moore, Director NAIA
Dave Archer, Director NHSBCA
Thom McDonald, Director NJCAA & Two-Year Colleges
FROM THE EDITOR, Rick Leddy
Looking back on 37 years with the NABC Since May of 1985, I have recorded the minutes of almost every board of directors meeting – probably 99% – under the direction of more than 35 presidents and three executive directors. In the early days, I used yellow legal pads to carefully write (or scribble) the notes and comments before transcribing them on a typewriter. That’s so far in the past that very few if any millennials, who are now 40, have ever touched the keys of a classic Royal. As tedious as it seems, I loved every minute of it while in the room with legends. John Thompson, Jr. was NABC president at my first convention board meeting at the 1986 Final Four in Dallas. Following closely behind Big John as NABC presidents were more Hall of Fame coaches – Jud Heathcote and Clarence “Big House” Gaines, two of my all-time favorites. All those minutes from the board meetings at the convention and in the summer were published in the Basketball Bulletin, a 112-page magazine. It featured numerous stories, photos, updates on coaches and numerous detailed clinics, each often covering multiple pages. Included was a listing of every member coach who was on one of the NABC’s 24 committees, covering just about every possible topic. Listed among those committee chairs were many of college basketball’s legends including Dean Smith, Abe Lemons, Dave Gavitt, Bill Foster and Marv Harshman.
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It was a very different time then. Things moved more slowly, and events were often family friendly. Summer meetings were conducted in conjunction with the NCAA staff, men’s basketball committee and CBS and were held over several days. Wives were welcomed to the summer meetings, and it offered the opportunity to develop some longlasting relationships. Business was conducted in the morning, golf in the afternoon and social gatherings in the evening. There also seemed to be a greater sense of collegiality among the coaches during that time, especially at NABC conventions at the Final Four. A suite was available for board members and guests to share ideas, a beverage, and the chance to critique the performances, especially after Saturday’s semifinal games. It was also a time when the Final Four was held in smaller “basketball” arenas, where just about every seat was a good one. There are so many fond memories from being at the Final Four as part of the NABC. Here are a few. My first seat was in press row at Reunion Arena in Dallas, which had about five percent of the mass number of media covering the events today; driving to pick up 1987 player of the year David Robinson, standing in front of his hotel resplendent in his Navy uniform, to take him to the NABC awards show; my wife sharing a box of hot tamales with Ken Griffey, Jr., sitting right behind us, to get an autograph in Seattle; and most recently, attending the
Villanova Easter Mass in San Antonio as outsiders among what seemed to be a thousand faithful Wildcat fans in a hotel ballroom. The one play that I can still visualize today is freshman Grant Hill getting an alley-oop pass from Bobby Hurley for an incredible slam dunk in Duke’s win over Kansas in national championship game in Indianapolis. You can view it on YouTube at https://youtu.be/ Efpg49NUgYQ All those moments pale in comparison to the wonderful people I have been fortunate to meet and work with through more than three decades. Just like in sports, our NABC team works seamlessly and unselfishly, striving to serve the needs of our member coaches. Even in the most difficult of times in this COVID pandemic when our coaches were unable to gather for two conventions, the NABC staff offered a virtual Fall Summit in 2020 and a virtual convention during the 2021 Final Four. Coming up a bit later this month, on October 27&28, the NABC will offer another Fall Summit for its member coaches and is planning for an inperson NABC Convention for New Orleans.
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2021 NABC Community Assist Team Meet 10 College Basketball Players Handing Out Assists Off the Court The assist in college basketball often seems like an underrated statistic but is truly a quintessential act of teammates working together to achieve a goal. The 10 players selected for the 2021 NABC Community Assist Team used their platforms as college athletes to assist those in need, in and around their local communities and far beyond our country’s borders.
Kamal Aubakirov - Kenyon College
Riley Demps – New York University
Kamal worked with a non-profit educational organization, “360 Mentors”, that provides college counseling for high school students in his home country of Kazakhstan. The mission of the project is to both expose to and prepare high schoolers for various educational opportunities around the world, so they can come back with the best education possible to help sustain/make a change in Kazakhstan.
In early June, Riley Demps and his NYU basketball teammate, Cade Hoppe, crafted a plan to raise money in support of Campaign Zero, an organization aiming to reduce police violence. The timing coincided with blackout Tuesday and the Violets’ rising juniors decided to stage a run-a-thon. Utilizing their regular Instagram feeds, the duo posted information for the run with a flyer on how to join, just four days before the event.
Since the summer of 2019, over 300 students went through the program, of which many students end up studying in colleges/ universities in Kazakhstan, Europe, Asia, and the United States.
It didn’t take long for the support garnered by likes and shared posts found similar initiatives where people did not actually have to run but could financially pledge support to those who could. Demps, a mechanical engineering major, started a Google sheet with volunteers’ information and sent a statement describing the event. People could sign up to run or contribute a dollar a mile while also sharing information on social media.
Most recently, apart from college counseling, the program was able to extend its reach with new English language learning programs in Taldykorgan and Tekeli, both within 25 miles of Kamal’s home in Almaty. During the pandemic, Kamal’s team at 360 Mentors was able to work with students from 16 different cities of Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan. Most recently, the organization created an additional program which helps students from around Kazakhstan to build socially oriented projects within their communities. “In my thirty years of coaching I have yet to come across a young man as selfless and caring as Kamal. As a player and person Kamal’s focus is always about what is best for the team or group. HIs acts of kindness and generosity are not singular events but rather how he lives his life. He does things not for the attention it brings to him but simply to do what is right and how it can help others. I am amazed by this project but in no way surprised by this or anything Kamal has done. He has made incredible sacrifices to be a student-athlete at Kenyon and we are grateful to have him in our Kenyon community and as part of our basketball program.” Head Coach Dan Priest
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In the Sunday start for the run-a-thon, Demps rolled his ankle early in the run. About eight miles in, he figured he should stop until receiving numerous texts asking if he was still running. Despite the pain, Demps continued walking the final 12 miles. When all was done, the run-a-thon helped raise $65,000 that went directly to Campaign Zero. “Riley is incredibly deserving of being named to the 2021 NABC community assist team. His resourcefulness and unwavering commitment to serve others is a model for all student-athletes to follow.” Head Coach Dagan Nelson
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Mason Forbes – Harvard University
Mike Fowler – Queens University of Charlotte
Mason spent the last year serving the unhoused population in nearby Sacramento through his volunteer work with the “Neighbor Program,” a community-based organization that focuses on political education, mutual aid and survival programs. He distributes food to the unhoused population every weekend, is teaching a class in the “Neighborhood School” political education program and is helping design national curriculum. Mason also volunteers for his brother’s non-profit, Forbes Sports and Education, teaching life skills classes, mentoring student-athletes in Sacramento, and coaching youth basketball teams. He additionally works for his father’s “Hoops and Homework” program, providing academic support and basketball instruction to students after school.
Mike started a student organization on campus in the spring related to racial reconciliation. The first meeting open to all students was the day of the George Floyd verdict. In attendance was our entire senior leadership team including the university president. All students were invited to attend the event with speakers and food as well as mental health counselors. The group has grown over the summer and is currently programming this fall.
“I am so incredibly proud of Mason for all that he has done, and continues to do, to make the world a better place. Since arriving at Harvard, he has made it a priority to always honor his family by Doing Well and Doing Good – in the classroom, on the court, and in the community. There is no one more deserving of this meaningful honor and distinction.” Head Coach Tommy Amaker
With aspirations for a career in politics, Mike began his own podcast over the pandemic called Different Perspectives in which he and guests tackle issues of race from the college student point of view. “We are extremely proud of Mike for earning a spot on the NABC Community Assist Team. Mike has been dedicated over the last 14 months to making a difference in our world. His activism and his work in the realm of racial relations is something we can all be proud of.” Head Coach Bart Lundy
Dominic Frucella – Penn State Altoona
Jarkel Joiner – University of Mississippi
A volunteer Younglife leader throughout the year, Dom guides, teaches and leads high school and college students in weekly bible study and how to live life in a Christ-like way. He has helped raise more than $10,000 so children may use the funding to attend summer camp. Dom assists the local Elevation Church with its social media page, which has more than 1.6 million followers, including managing their comments and responses.
As a native of Oxford, it makes sense that Jarkel wants to make an impact on the community. The junior is involved in several community service projects in his hometown. Joiner regularly reads to students across his home state of Mississippi as a part of our Reading with the Rebels Program. He joined this program as a part of the Stronger Together MS initiative that focuses on promoting reading by students in Pre-K through 3rd grades.
He is active in the PSU basketball community with a Sideline Cancer clinic and served as a referee at a youth basketball tournament. Dom has committed to more than 100 hours of community service through the Sheetz Fellows Program at numerous local evets including Arts Altoona, the Blair County Chamber of Commerce and the Saint Vincent DePaul Society. During the pandemic, he volunteered to help clean equipment at the Dorman Sports Performance Center in Altoona.
Joiner also led efforts for Adopt A Basket, feeding local families during the holiday season. He helped spearhead the project, giving back to the local community to ensure those in need have food during this time.
“Dom has been a true servant leader for our program, as well as within the campus community and the Altoona community. He has worked with numerous organizations including Sideline Cancer, Special Olympics, Brian Morden Foundation, Go 4 the Goal just to name a few. We are so proud to have him in our program.” Head Coach David McGreal
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“Jarkel epitomizes the phrase ‘you need to root for your community before they root for you’. He truly cares about people of all ages in our community and throughout our state, and he uses his smile and energy to better their days. Being named to the NABC Community Assist Team is a well-deserved honor for him.” Head Coach Kermit Davis
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Jordan Jones – Marist College
Corey Kispert – Gonzaga University
Jordan serves as Director of Engagement for Marist’s Black Student Alliance, took part in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s “Time Out for Black Lives” reading program in 202021 and attended the Black Student-Athlete Summit in Austin, Texas, while red-shirting in January of 2019.
Over the course of Corey Kispert’s four years at Gonzaga University, he has found numerous ways to give back to the local community. One of the highlights for the team each summer is getting to spend a day in July at Camp Goodtimes, a week-long camp for children impacted by cancer, hosted by Spokane’s YMCA. Corey has helped bring a smile and excitement to these children each summer since 2017. Kispert joins one of our assistant coaches at a local elementary school for an annual Donuts For Dads event, an opportunity to speak to the children about the importance of physical health, mental health, and academic achievement. He has also been involved with local AAU programs, Habitat for Humanity builds and Gonzaga’s Bulldog Athlete Ministry (BAM) program.
He has volunteered at the Vassar-Warner Home (retirement community) and the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie. A member of Marist’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Jordan serves as team captain and was a finalist for Marist’s Pizzani Award (recognizing humanitarian efforts) in the 2020-21 school year. “Jordan Jones has been a valuable member of our program both on and off the court for the last three years. Jordan’s contributions on the basketball court are very evident, but his contributions as a member of the student body have made a tremendous impact on our campus community. Through these activities, he has sharpened his leadership skills and gained valuable networking opportunities.” Head Coach John Dunne
“Corey is an all-timer at our place, I mean, clearly, he’s a first team All-American. That puts him in really, really rarefied air. He’s of the highest character people there is and as good a role model as you could have.” Head Coach Mark Few
Nathan Nelson – University of South Carolina
Kamron Reaves – Florida A&M University
Nathan Nelson has participated in numerous community outreach initiatives during his time at South Carolina. He joined his teammates for the 8K Community Outreach Campaign during the summer months, participating in events at Sowing Seeds, the Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity and visiting the Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia. At Sowing Seeds, Nathan helped with a gardening project, and he and his teammates hosted a luau at the Ronald McDonald House at the Prisma Children’s Hospital during the campaign. He has also spent time at the Salvation Army, at Harvest Hope Food Bank, with the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, at the YMCA and at a holiday event at Shaw Air Force Base for military members and their families. Nelson was also named to the 2020 SEC Men’s Basketball Community Service Team.
Kamron Reaves has a heart for service and giving. His volunteerism and leadership with the Rattlers have been demonstrated throughout his career. Kamron encouraged and led his teammates to assist in the set-up, participation and fundraising for the Tallahassee Relay for Life Cancer Walk and took part in a weekly Life & Social Skills Development Program for underprivileged kids at Walker Ford Community Center. He led a fundraising effort for Habitat for Humanity; raised funds for the Tallahassee Chapter of the American Heart Association; took part in the Relay for Life Walk; and the distribution of food for needy families in association with Food Harvest for America/Florida Baptist Convention.
“I’m extremely excited to celebrate that Nathan Nelson, a proud South Carolina graduate and alum of our program, has been selected as a member of the NABC Community Assist Team. Nathan will represent this team with the same passion and tenacity that he represents our university and our basketball program. He has been a champion for numerous initiatives, working to assist those in need in and around our Columbia community.” Head Coach Frank Martin
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Kamron was actively engaged in encouraging teammates to become registered voters, and to file the paperwork early for absentee voting for those players from other states. He led the team to march in the community wide Soul to the Polls event the Sunday prior to the 2020 Presidential Election. “We are proud of Kamron’s commitment to volunteerism and community service and feel strongly that instilling in our players the importance of service to others is the greatest lesson we as a coaching staff can teach. Kamron embodies that principle both on and off the court.” Head Coach Robert McCullum
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HALL OF FAME WEEKEND Returns to the Spotlight this November By Eric Wieberg
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KANSAS CITY’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROOTS RUN DEEP. Ten NCAA Men’s Final Fours have been hosted by the city, including the iconic “Danny and the Miracles” Kansas title in 1988. The NAIA Men’s Basketball Championship has operated in the heart of downtown nearly every year since its inception in 1937. The NABC, NAIA and Division II-power MIAA call Kansas City home. And each November, college basketball’s past and present are celebrated during National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Weekend.
After COVID restrictions required events to be scaled back in 2020, this season’s Hall of Fame Weekend is poised to return in full force. A decorated class of eight former coaches and players will be inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame at the NABC Foundationoperated College Basketball Experience on the evening of November 21. The following two nights will then feature a loaded bracket of tradition-rich programs competing next door at T-Mobile Center in the Hall of Fame Classic. Two events spread over three days on college basketball’s biggest stage. Each member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2021 left a lasting impact on the sport. Longtime coach Rick Byrd won a total of 805 games at Belmont, Lincoln Memorial and Maryville, making him the 12thwinningest coach in Division I history. Tom Penders captured 649 wins at seven coaching stops, and took four different schools – Houston, George Washington, Texas and Rhode Island – to the NCAA Tournament. The Class of 2021 players piled up accolades spanning the course of three decades. David Greenwood led UCLA to the Final Four in the program’s first post-John Wooden season. Hersey Hawkins netted over 3,000 points in four years at Bradley. Jim Jackson was a two-time All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year at Ohio State. Antawn Jamison scored nearly 2,000 points and guided North Carolina to back-to-back Final Fours. Paul Pierce won three Big 12 titles and a pair of
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conference tournaments at Kansas. And the late Len Bias redefined the small forward position in his four dominant years at Maryland. After the Class of 2021 officially takes its place in history, attention will turn to the Hall of Fame Classic, where Arkansas, Cincinnati, Illinois and Kansas State will do battle in what is annually one of the nation’s top earlyseason tournaments. Arkansas and Illinois finished sixth and eighth, respectfully, in last season’s Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll after the Illini earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and Arkansas received a No. 3 seed and reached the Elite Eight. Cincinnati, meanwhile, has made NCAA Tournament berths in nine of the past 10 full seasons, and Kansas State has reached the Big Dance nine times since 2008. The event’s semifinal round will pit Cincinnati against Illinois and Arkansas versus Kansas State, followed by the consolation and championship games the next night. All four Hall of Fame Classic games will be broadcast on ESPN networks, and the Hall of Fame Induction Celebration will be streamed live on halloffameweekend.com. Tickets for the Hall of Fame Classic are available via the T-Mobile Center box office and t-mobilecenter.com. November never fails to deliver memorable college basketball moments. All eyes in 2021 will be on Hall of Fame Weekend in Kansas City.
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CRITICAL INFORMATION FOR SUITS AND SNEAKERS WEEK The NABC is asking coaches of all levels to prepare for Suits And Sneakers Week, Jan. 24-30, 2022. Suits And Sneakers is Coaches vs. Cancer’s most visible program and has a new look and feel. One way to be involved is to order apparel and customized sneakers for the week (see more info below - ordering deadline is Nov. 5). “Suits And Sneakers Week is a special time for our program,” Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said. “Being able to honor loved ones on a pair of custom sneakers while generating greater awareness and funds for Coaches vs. Cancer is a win-win. I’m looking forward to creating this year’s design and hope many of you will join us in this simple and fun way to crush our common opponent of cancer.” Another popular option for involvement is for programs to raise funds for the American Cancer Society by promoting the sale of Suits And Sneakers t-shirts to your fans (see one-sheet here as well as link below for more info - this is the t-shirt version of the coach apparel). Spearheaded by Danyelle Musselman (co-chair of the CvC Wives, Friends & Family committee), last year’s inaugural Suits And Sneakers T-Shirt Challenge raised approximately $26K with more than 50 schools participating. Purdue coach Matt Painter and his wife, Sherry, rallied fans and earned the top spot in the challenge by influencing the sale of 452 t-shirts. Arkansas (Eric and Danyelle Musselman), Ohio State (Chris and Lori Holtmann), Alabama (Nate and Crystal Oats) and William & Mary (Dane and Chelsea Fischer) rounded out the top five schools in number of t-shirts sold. Will your program be the one to help us surpass last year’s numbers? “Allie and I are excited to participate in this season’s T-Shirt Challenge. The Coaches vs. Cancer team makes it easy to get involved, and it’s a terrific opportunity to connect with fans,” said George Washington coach Jamion Christian. “We’re building on last year’s efforts and will be ready to engage in this off-the-court competition with programs across the country in support of an amazing cause.”
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Opportunities for all coaches to participate include: Order your Suits And Sneakers Coach Attire: Designate a game that week to wear Suits And Sneakers branded pullovers or polos. Order for yourself and/or for everyone on the bench here. Deadline for ordering is Nov. 5. Promote Suits And Sneakers T-Shirts to Your Fans: Encourage your fans to get involved by purchasing their own t-shirt version of the Suits And Sneakers attire AND order warm up t-shirts for your players here. Wear Sneakers that Pop: Wear your sneakers that stand out or have custom sneakers made for your Suits And Sneakers Week game. If you’d like to have your sneakers custom painted, please reach out to anne.gmerek@cancer.org for detailed instructions and to be connected with a designer by no later than November 5. Raise Funds: If you would like to fundraise for Coaches vs. Cancer’s fight against cancer while competing against other schools across the country, please visit here to find out how to set up your team’s virtual fundraising page. Resources on how to fundraise are available on this site. A little extra help will go a long way. Please engage anyone on your staff who will help facilitate the ordering, communication and promotion of these Suits And Sneakers Week opportunities. For additional information or questions, email anne.gmerek@cancer.org. Support the Reggie Minton Diversity in Cancer Research Internship Grant. This will serve as a single grant named in Reggie’s honor supporting the Society’s broader Diversity in Cancer Research Internship Program. By providing the opportunity to pursue research as a career, this program will make a direct and potentially life offering impact in the lives of more than 20 undergraduate students. If you are interested in helping to secure additional funding or would like to make a donation in honor of Reggie Minton, please contact Fran and Margaret McCaffery at margaretmccaffery@me.com or Natalie Morrison at natalie.morrison@cancer.org.
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Coaches and Words:
Encouraging or Reckless? by Carey Casey, CEO & President of Championship Fathering
How do you respond when a player messes up?
“ A player’s entire outlook on life could be shaped in part by what you say—for better or for worse.”
We all probably have some negative images that we could conjure up involving coaches after a player has turned the ball over or let his man get free for an easy layup. Quite a few coaches will get in the player’s face, wide-eyed and furious, as they scream obscenities. And the people sitting next to the court are probably squirming in their seats. Of course, there are good examples as well, like when Georgetown’s Fred Brown threw a pass right to North Carolina’s James Worthy at the end of the 1982 championship game. I was happy because Carolina is my school, but more than that, I’ll never forget the image of John Thompson going over and putting his arm around Brown. And we later learned what Thompson said to him: “You’ve won more games than you’ve lost.” As a coach and as a dad, your words are tools, and there’s great power in those tools. One proverb says, “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Let me challenge you in 3 areas: Watch the profanity. When my friend Tony Dungy was a head coach, he asked all his assistant coaches to not use profanity. Some people told him he was too soft, too nice to win; he needed to curse and be harsh with his players. I think he proved those people wrong, and another successful coach, Herm Edwards, takes a similar stand. Just because certain language seems appropriate in certain situations in our culture, that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for us with our players.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the NABC.
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Now, I know that many of us were coached by men who used lots of profanity. Also, it’s clear that coaches and players have relationships that go beyond the court during games. Maybe they have a fantastic, supportive thing going and what we see only happens during intense situations. Maybe a harsher approach just “works” for certain coaches in some circumstances. Again, it’s very difficult for me to see that as the best approach for any player.
Watch your tone as well. Often, it’s how we say something that’s the most damaging. We might intentionally come off as irritated, so a player knows how much his mistake has bothered us or hurt the team. Maybe we think somehow our disappointment is going to motivate him to do better. You know the difference between a tone that tears down and a tone that respects. In an encouraging atmosphere, even criticism can be delivered in a positive, hopeful way. Remember the power of your influence. You can bet that your players will remember many of your statements for years to come. When I played football in high school, I used to run back punts and kick-offs. I’m in my sixties now, and I can vividly remember a few times when our team was behind or it was a close game, and our coach instilled great confidence in me through his words. As I stood back there waiting for the ball, I’d hear him say, “We need one, Carey. Run it back for us.” Even in those short statements, he showed that he believed in me, and he was depending on me, and his words helped me focus, dig a little deeper, and reach for excellence. I believe your words have more power than you realize, and things said in heated moments—good and bad—stick with young people. You can be challenging and inspiring, like my coach often was. Or you can be reckless with your words. Have you ever heard yourself say something like, “What are you thinking!?” or “Can’t you do anything right?” Those kinds of statements can break a kid’s spirit or at least leave a lasting mark. A player’s entire outlook on life could be shaped in part by what you say—for better or for worse. Please do all you can to use words that build up, encourage and inspire them. Carey Casey is CEO, President, and the author of Championship Fathering. He has also authored the book Championship Grandfathering: How to Build a Winning Legacy and is the general editor of the book 21-Day Dad’s Challenge: Three Weeks to a Better Relationship with Your Kids. Carey and his wife Melanie live in Chicago. They are the parents of four children and have nine grandchildren. www.ChampionshipFathering.org
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PUT SOME AIR IN YOUR TIRES by Donnell Jones, Pastor, Grace Covenant Church DC www.GraceCovDC.org
“ You need and your team needs enough encouragement to ensure that the pressure on the inside is greater than the pressure on the outside.”
Do you remember Summer as a kid riding your bike all day! I didn’t realize how much I missed riding until my wife bought me a bike for my birthday. That same day I rode to the restaurant while my family drove beside me in the car. For a moment, I felt like I was kid again. Why did I ever stop riding. Since then, I’ve upgraded to a carbon-fiber flat-bar road bike with hydraulic disc brakes. So, as you can imagine, this bike is much lighter and faster than the one I rode as a kid. Back then, there were no hand brakes. Remember how you had to back pedal to brake? Good times! I love riding my bike, but I was somewhat embarrassed by an experience I can laugh about now. Just before riding I always check the tire pressure and add air as needed. The rim of the tires indicated 120psi or 120 pounds per square inch of pressure. In other words, hard as rock. By comparison, my car tire pressure is 35psi. As I add air to my bike tires with a floor pump, the needle on the gauge jumps from 80 to 90 to 100 and so on. At first, I didn’t notice the sudden movement of the needle up and back as I pressed the handle. I could hear the sound of air coming out of the pump. Just a couple of more pumps and I am ready to roll. So, one day, I began to feel more bumps than usual on a familiar road. My pedaling seemed labored and much harder than normal. At some point, I felt like my tires must be losing pressure. I managed to pull into a bike shop near Union Station here in Washington, DC. Turns out the young man working in the store that day
was more helpful than I expected. He pointed me to the pump so I could help myself. Like normal, I removed the cap from the valve. Placing the nozzle of the pump over the stem, I began to pump air into my tires, or so I thought. Within a few moments, he asked what I was doing. Odd question, I thought to myself. “Putting air in my tires,” I replied. He came close and said, “no you’re not.” So, I listened carefully. He told me that after I removed the cap, I had to open the valve. Without getting too detailed, the schrader valve from my childhood bike was not like the presta valve. The presta valve is usually found in high pressure road bikes. After you remove the outer cap, you have to twist open an inner casing which covers the opening where the air enters. Otherwise, everyone hears the sound but unless they are open, they cannot receive the encouragement. There’s more. You need and your team needs enough encouragement to ensure that the pressure on the inside is greater than the pressure on the outside. We cannot determine the external conditions, but we can definitely make sure the encouragement in your team’s culture will allow you to enjoy the ride a lot better than you would if you are riding with low or little encouragement. So all season long, make sure you CHECK YOUR PRESSURE, STAY OPEN, and PUT SOME AIR IN YOUR TIRES! Pastor Donnell Jones is pastor of Grace Covenant Church in Washington, D.C., Character Coach for the Maryland Terrapins and Chaplain of the NABC.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the NABC.
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Coaches Working Together Can Serve To Protect the Best Interest of the Student-Athlete By Nalin Sood, Executive Director, Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association, Past President and Executive Board Member, National High School Basketball Coaches Association As each of us looks back over the past 19 months, many of us know what we experienced and are still living through may be the most profound and challenging times of our professional and possibly personal lives. The sudden change and uncertainty we have lived through has tested all of us-young and old. During the past year and a half, I have found the role of myself and many of my friends as scholastic basketball coaches as critical, vital, and significant to our main stakeholder, the student-athlete, as ever. For each of us scholastic basketball coaches, many of us know that we are more than just three-hour a day, six-days a week, four-months a year coaches. We are 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, and 365-days a year mentors, advisors, counselors, and father/mother figures to these young men. In 2018, the National High School Basketball Coaches Association in collaboration with the NABC, NCAA, National Federation of High Schools and respective state athletic associations were given guidelines to plan, propose and execute the June Scholastic Division 1 recruiting events (JSE). This decision came down from the NCAA Board of Governors with a primary goal of the JSE’s to serve the best interest of the basketball student-athlete during the recruiting process. This opportunity, one that the NHSBCA has long waited for, was seized upon. Why? Simply said, as the overall goals laid out by the aforementioned governing associations, associations that at the end of the day are in many ways likeminded. We knew that with proper approval and oversight we would be able to provide a positive culture and environment for the student-athletes participating in our events. No different than the same environment each of us is accountable to provide once the school day ends.
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Our current times present many hurdles and obstacles that our young people need the proper guidance, mentoring, and support to navigate. Just the past year and half has presented extraordinary issues such as social injustice, divided political climate, a presidential election unlike we have ever encountered before and a pandemic. Just one of these issues alone is enough, but coupling all these together clearly defines the times we are currently in. To work alongside our young people and to foster their developing and malleable minds shows the power and importance of our profession. It is more than just teaching a jump shot, close-out, or defensive stance; it is to teach and exemplify the necessary life skills they will need to conquer future challenges that are just as great or even greater in their future. As we hand off these student-athletes to our colleagues at the collegiate level, whether that be for athletics or academics, we know we do so to persons that are just as driven and many with a moral compass going in the same direction as ours. We know our “kids” will be in good hands and continue to be steered in the right direction towards successful and prosperous futures. What the past three years have shown me is when we work together, such as in the case of the JSE’s, we can serve to protect the best interest of the studentathlete. We can minimize the outside influence and empower the accountable and trained one. The role of the scholastic coach is one that many of us do not take for granted and are of great fortune to call it not just our passion but also our career. About the NHSBCA The National High School Basketball Coaches Association also serves as the High School Congress of the NABC. About thirty-five state basketball coaches’ associations and representatives of some states that do not have a basketball coaches association work together to improve scholastic basketball and scholastic coaches. The NHSBCA is the national voice for high school basketball coaches, working to foster high standards of professionalism and to support coaches. The NHSBCA conducts two general meetings per year, one at the NABC Convention and the other in July. Additionally, the NHSBCA Executive Committee conducts monthly phone conference meetings. For additional information about the NHSBCA, visit www.NHSBCA.org.
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Tinkle to chair Division I Men’s Basketball Ethics Coalition
Tinkle wants ethics coalition members to provide a steadying voice for those in his profession.
Wayne Tinkle, who coached Oregon State to an Elite Eight appearance in the Division I men’s basketball tournament in March, will chair the Division I Men’s Basketball Ethics Coalition for the next year.
Tinkle advises coaches to focus on creating a positive atmosphere for student-athletes, and to help facilitate the avenues for their players to pursue their goals along those name, image and likeness lines.
With changes coming at a fast and furious pace in Division I men’s basketball, from the one-time transfer exception; name, image and likeness endorsement deals for student-athletes; and possible changes to the governance structure of the NCAA, coaches must maneuver numerous issues.
The other priority is adjusting to the first year of men’s basketball student-athletes being able to transfer to another school and being allowed to play right away, as long as they meet academic requirements, without sitting for a year.
Men’s basketball coaches are also waiting for more infractions cases to be settled in the fallout from the scandal that rocked the sport in September 2017, when four assistant coaches were arrested on fraud and corruption charges after an FBI investigation. The scandal involved charges of a major sportswear company funneling money to players and of coaches taking bribes to steer student-athletes toward certain financial advisors and agents. While the parts keep moving, Tinkle wants ethics coalition members to provide a steadying voice for those in his profession. Tinkle, who is entering his eighth season at Oregon State, wants the coalition to focus on the group’s three foundation pillars: education, leadership and mentoring. The goal is to influence younger head and assistant coaches to do things by the book. “We don’t have the power, but we hope to get some momentum to get people to think more seriously about handling their business the right way,” Tinkle said. “If we don’t do that, it will be hard to help mentor the up-and-coming coaches.” One of the biggest obstacles is the lack of a blueprint for how to handle issues such as name, image and likeness endorsements as schools operate under differing state laws or perhaps none at all. NABC
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By rule, coaches aren’t supposed to reach out to players until they enter their name in the Transfer Portal. But proving someone broke this rule can be hard. “It’s a concern,” Tinkle said. “There is going to be pressure on coaches to start a new recruiting list that keeps track of players who have the one-time transfer exemption available to them. How we will be able to control this and enforce the rules? I’m not sure.” The ethics coalition members plan a thorough discussion on this because roster management is a key to every men’s basketball program, as well as the virtual conversations that took place over the past year during the moratorium on in-person contact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many coaches, Tinkle welcomed the return of inperson evaluations this summer. “There are definitely parts of talking to recruits and their parents on Zoom that can continue,” Tinkle said. “But there are so many advantages to bringing someone in to see your campus. We had a couple of official visits in June, and one of the young men was from the East Coast. He was blown away by the beauty of Corvallis, Oregon. That is hard to replicate if you can’t get them to campus.”
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C O A C H’S
C L I N I C
Passing Drills Every Single Day Scott Davenport, Head Coach Bellarmine University
At Bellarmine University we consider passing to be a lost art! We work on passing EVERY SINGLE DAY. There are many ways to be successful. These passing drills are what we consider to be VITAL in our DNA at Bellarmine. We believe great ball movement leads to great player movement. We want to press on offense which only happens by moving the ball with side to side and never allowing the defense to settle. This can only happen with precise ball movement.
4-Man Passing
2-Man Passing
• After both lines pass it to each other, lines 1 & 4 will receive passes from line 3 & 2. (Line 1 will receive pass from diagonal line 3. 4 will receive pass from diagonal line 2.)
Emphasis 1. Passes on Time and on Target 2. Running the Ball into your Hands SEE DIAGRAM To start 2-Man Passing you need two lines at the wing area. 2 line will start with the ball. 1 Line will start the drill with a V-Cut to the nail area. As he comes up to the top, he is trying to run his hands into the ball. As he catches the ball, player will Reverse Pivot, and he immediately reverses the ball to one. As player 1 is reversing the ball Player 2 is V-cutting to the nail and popping out just like 1 did. As Player 2 pops out he reverses it just as player 1 did.
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Emphasis 1. Communication 2. Passes on Time and on Target SEE DIAGRAM In our 4-Man Passing drill you need 4 lines in each corner of the Half Court. 3 Balls total will be used and will be placed at lines 1,2, and 3. • 1 Starts the drill and will pass it to 4 running across. Line 1 & 4 will always pass it to each other.
• As that is taking place line 4 immediately hits line 1 and sprints across to 2. 2 will hit 4 and go to line 1. This is repeated for 30 seconds as players must have passes on time and on target and communicate which passes are going to which line. Coaches can change up the time limit. Some may consider these drills to be too simple. However, they work for US! Feel free to contact us for video of this drill. You are welcome to come to practice anytime. sdavenport@bellarmine.edu The winningest coach in Bellarmine history with a won-lost record of 378-117 (.763), Davenport led the Knights to the NCAA Division II national championship in 2011 and was named National Coach of the Year by two different organizations: the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the Division II Bulletin. Bellarmine transitioned into NCAA Division I in 2021 and the Knights fell one game shy of winning the regular season conference title in the ASUN Conference.
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2-Man Passing
4-Man Passing
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C O A C H’S
C L I N I C
TRIED, TESTED, and VERSATILE
Charles Katsiaficas, Head Coach Pomona-Pitzer Colleges
As the game continues to change and evolve, one thing stays the same… good basketball is good basketball. This set has been very good to us through the years, and seems to have withstood the test of time. DIAGRAM 1 #1 enters to either wing; we like to catch around FTL extended. The weak side post (#4 in this diagram) comes up to back-screen for #1. First option is right in the post to #5; a good 1-on-1 opportunity with weak side help kept busy. Second option is #1 over the top for a lob/lay-up. If #4 or #5 can shoot it, the shot at the top may be there if the defense helps on the back-screen. DIAGRAM 2
DIAGRAM 4 The wing continues around a double screen on the opposite side from #3 (wing is first screener in the stagger) and #4. #1 can use his cut to post up, or pop to the wing and play two man game with #5 (ball screen, or #5 diving into post). All the screens are big-little, making it challenging to switch. The wing entry moves the ball side to side, increasing the likelihood of a higher percentage shot.
#2 passes to #4; as the ball reaches the fingertips of #4, #3 cuts through the lane to set a cross screen for #5; #1 runs a low loop cut to the wing for the ball reversal; the timing is for #3 and #1 to cross a couple steps outside the lane; we like a low loop cut so it’s not a screen between #3 and #1- this keeps it from being switched. If #5 is being fronted, #4 can look hi-low to #5; otherwise, on the pass to #4 at the top, #5 turns and faces the ball. On pass to #1, #5 uses screen from #3, either way, over the top or under depending on how the defender is positioned. #3 then receives a double down from #2 and #4, looking for the shot at the top. #2 needs to get to the middle of the floor for a good screening angle and is the first screen in the stagger (You may prefer a single from #4, leaving #2 to stretch the floor).
Through the years we’ve run these two plays as sets, as entries into offense, out of transition, and for a number of years these two plays were our entire offense!
DIAGRAM 3
Best of luck this season!
If #5 isn’t open and #3 doesn’t have a shot, a quick ball reversal to #2, who popped back out to the wing, can often find #4 with good post position on the back side post. Another option is to have #4 reposition after his down screen and set a quick ball screen for #3. Could be a pick and pop, or a roll and replace with #4 and #5.
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If wings are overplayed in initial entry attempt, let’s look at the pressure release. #4 and #5 cut high for a pass at the elbow (or higher) along the lane line extended. First option is wing back-door cut; second option is #1 on a ducktail cut for a hand off or basket cut.
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I learned this action from Coach Hank Egan while serving as an assistant on his staff at the University of San Diego in the late 1980’s. Coach Egan has an unbelievable mind and eye for the game, and I was so fortunate to have him as a mentor in my early years of coaching. There is so much good offensive ‘stuff’ out there. We all need to be mindful of not doing too much. However, finding a couple sets that fit your personnel, get the ball to the player(s) you want, where you want them to get it, can help give your team the best chance for success.
In his 33rd season as head coach at Pomona-Pitzer, Charles Katsiaficas has guided the Sagehens to a 512-343 won-lost record. His teams have won 14 SCIAC championships with back-to-back tournament titles in 2019 and 2020. “Coach Kat” serves as chair of the NABC Division III AllAmerica Committee.
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DIAGRAM 1
DIAGRAM 2
1 4 3
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1
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DIAGRAM 3
DIAGRAM 4
1 4 1
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