Showing posts with label Hard Work Brings Prosperity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hard Work Brings Prosperity. Show all posts

Monday, April 16, 2012

The Love of the Game

Posted by Anonymous | Monday, April 16, 2012 | Category: , , , | 1 comments

Looking back on my playing and coaching career so many great memories come to mind.  I think back at all the time, sweat, tears, blood, and work that I put into this game.  I think about how many times I have ran that 94’ length or 50’ width.  Some people may question why we do what we do.  We may even question ourselves.  I think about the conditioning that I had to do to reach the top level.  As I was standing on the baseline about to run my last 20 in 20 (20 suicides in 20 minutes), and every part of my body is screaming in pain, and I thought to myself, “why do I put myself through this pain?”   But then it comes from within; we do this because we love the game.  We want to be the best we can be, and to reach that level you have to work. 

Basketball has been one of the most influential things in my life.  I first started playing organized basketball in the 2nd grade.  However, basketball was a part of my life before that.  I would dribble whenever I saw a basketball.  Being from the north, we could not play outside usually after the month of October.  I used to ask my parents to move the kitchen table in the winter so I could dribble and work on my ball handling indoors.  I would also go down to the garage and turn off the lights so I could dribble in the dark.  I figured out at a young age that basketball was what I wanted in the future.  I spent a lot of time working on my game.  I missed a lot of dances and events with friends for practice and AAU tournaments.  People used to think I was crazy always going from one gym to the next.  But I had goals and dreams and had full intentions on reaching them; I knew at a young age, that I loved this game.

Basketball has taken me places that a lot of people never get to in a lifetime.  I am thankful every day for the opportunities basketball has given me.  Basketball is always what kept me going.  Basketball earned me a full scholarship for 4 years to Niagara University.  After playing college ball, I was able to play professionally overseas for a year in Germany.   Due to injury, I had to give up my playing career, however I could not see my life without basketball.  Since I could no longer play, I got into college coaching.  From there, basketball took me to New Mexico where I started my first year of collegiate coaching and worked on my Master’s Degree.  Because of basketball, I was able to get my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree fully paid for.  It is a blessing to be 26, and not have to pay back student loans. 

After 3 years of college coaching, I got this opportunity to work for Elite Hoops Basketball.  It was a tough decision to get out of the college coaching world, but I made the decision to try something new.  It has only been a week, but working for Elite has brought back a different love of the game for me.  It has brought back the fundamentals and all the things that have gotten me to the point where I am today.  I love having the opportunity to help the youth become better players.  I am extremely fulfilled after every workout. 

Basketball is not just a game to me; it’s a lifestyle.  Basketball has taken me all over the world.  It has helped to keep me through school and focus on my studies.  It has taught me the meaning of discipline, hard work, effort, loyalty, teamwork, and perseverance (and the list could go on).   I am fortunate enough to say that I love what I do and I enjoy going to work.  I have been able to discover myself through basketball.  It has helped shape me into the person I am today.  I have learned so much from the game, and now it’s my turn to give it back.  

Michelle Manfredi
Girls Director
Elite Hoops/Nike Basketball Camps

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Day 2 of NIKE Basketball Camp at Kedron Fieldhouse

Posted by Anonymous | Tuesday, July 19, 2011 | Category: , , , , | 0 comments

On day 2 today at Nike/Elite Hoops Basketball Camp at Kedron Fieldhouse the quote of the day is "Hard work brings prosperty." It is encouraged by the coaches to work and play hard on and off the court in order to one day achieve their goals, and to keep growing in the process. You will not grow and become a better player without hard work, its impossible. Thats why coaches emphasize the importance of the fundamentals, they are like the base of basketball... You need to have something to grow and expand upon.
One vital fundamental is ballhandling. No matter what your position is on the court, you must be able to control, and maintain control of, a basketball. Coaches stress on the importance of developing good ballhandling skills throughout the whole week, but today specifically. This is because our  Living by Numbers drills of the day are all based around ballhandling. Players were given five different drills known as the Figure 8 without dribble, Figure 8 with dribble, flip flop, front back bounce, and front back catch.
Each and every player competing in these drills has the hope of beating the record hanging on the wall of the gym. There were no records beaten today, but tomorrow, next week and next summer still hold potential for these young players. As long as they keep working hard on these drills, they will eventually prosper. If these young players can keep up the hard work they will, one day, be the players that coaches are seeking.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Hard Work Brings Prosperity

Posted by Patrick Hughes | Monday, August 23, 2010 | Category: , | 0 comments

Awaking to the sounds of school buses running and kids yelling this morning we can say that school has officially started in Atlanta. With the start of school many of Elite Hoops 1,200 campers this summer are trading in basketballs and the hardwood for books and homework. As you leave to start your classes remember one of our favorite quotes from this past summer camp season, "Hard work brings prosperity."

Each and everyone of us coaches here at Elite Hoops was delighted that you attended camp this summer but don't be satisfied and leave it at that. Many of you will have try outs for your teams in the upcoming months. Its important that that you continue practicing the drills you learned this summer at camp so that your hard work will pay off come try out time. Do you remember the drills you learned for individual improvement throughout your camp week? Here's a reminder just in case your memory faded a bit while you were at the pool after camp.

Monday: Mikan & power lay ups
Tuesday: Figure 8 no dribble, figure 8 dribble, flip-flop, front back bounce, & front back catch
Wednesday: Diagonal key lay ups & diagonal key jumpers
Thursday: Hot shot

If you want some video tips and pointers just click here and head over to our YouTube site and brush up. Try and fit in some basketball and practice your drills a few times a week to keep sharp and remember, hard work brings prosperity.

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