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AJ Gasporra played collegiately for UTSA Roadrunners, CSU San Marcos Cougars and Concordia Irvine Eagles. He was an assistant coach for the Fountain Valley Barons, was an assistant coach for Mater Dei High School Monarchs and his now an assistant coach assistant coach for Sage Hill School Lightning in Newport Beach, California coached by D’Cean Bryant. He wrote advice for young players, coaches and trainers.

Players-The main thing I think players today need to understand and put into perspective, regardless of level they’re at, is that they’re never doing enough to put themselves in the position to achieve their goals. What helped me throughout my playing career was that I always felt that someone somewhere in the world was outworking me. I was fortunate enough to have my perspective be a reality because I was in the gym with guys like James Harden, Landry Fields, Derrick Williams, Katin Reinhardt, Stanley Johnson, Klay Thompson, and many more from high school to the end of my professional days. I witnessed first hand what true dedication towards this sport is. The willingness to perfect every movement, shot, layup, read off screens and pick and rolls was at a heightened level compared to others. When you’ve put in an hour of work, someone has put in 2 or 3. When you go out on Friday to the movies or with your girl, someone stayed in the gym or ran a few miles. The difference between the guys I mentioned and others is that they felt they were always behind everyone else. They needed to play catch up when in reality they were outworking everyone.

Coaches- As a young coach myself, I feel that my biggest weakness is balancing the line between being my players’ friend and their coach. I’m still young enough, or at least I feel I am haha, to relate to a lot of things they’re going through so I sometimes play the “big brother” role. Then I find myself overcompensating to be their “coach” and it sometimes gets messy for me. I think young coaches should treat their roles as a college coach would: be hard and tough at the beginning and show little signs of the “big bro” side at the beginning. Then once you’ve established yourself then you can start to ease up a little and show the lighter side of you.

Trainer- As a “trainer” that has been around NBA pros, been trained by an “NBA” trainer, and am now training players of all levels and skill sets, I advise you to establish what you know, study other trainers and pros to learn new things, keep up with the lingo of the game, and understand that every player is different. I don’t use any cones, two ball dribbling, or any crazy contraptions on the court. I work on game like situation stuff a lot, total body coordination, and throw in some funky stuff to boost confidence. As a trainer, you have to be more than just a rebounder or a drill sergeant. Take your time with the player on teaching whatever you’re working on. Lastly, the fundamentals always win!!! I don’t focus on the home run plays with the combos and step backs. Footwork, finishing around the rim, catch and shoot, being able to read screens, and triple threat rip throughs will always win!