In this episode of the GRIT Hoops Podcast, we take a hard look at the state of youth basketball development in America. Is AAU the problem? Are we too focused on games and results instead of real skill-building? We break down why the system is failing young athletes and, more importantly, how players, parents, and coaches can take control of the development process.

• The Real Reason Young Players Struggle – It’s not confidence, it’s lack of skill development.
• Why Youth Basketball is Broken – The overemphasis on gameplay and winning over actual skill-building.
• Is AAU Really the Problem? – Why AAU isn’t the issue and how it can actually help players get recruited.
• How to Fix Youth Development – The importance of structured training, small-sided games, and focusing on fundamentals.
• Advice for Parents & Coaches – How to guide young athletes toward real improvement.

Fundamentals First: Players need a strong foundation before they start focusing on competition.
Game Play vs. Training: Why structured development should be prioritized over just playing more games.
Skill Over Positioning: Players should develop all-around skills rather than being boxed into positions too early.
The Role of Parents: How to find the right training opportunities and avoid falling into the “game result” trap.

Rich (email) - How should coaches handle parent pressure for equal playing time?
James (email) - Balancing player freedom with executing a game plan – how much is too much?

Join the Conversation:

Email us your questions and feedback: podcast@gritbasketball.com

Follow us on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/gritbasketball/
• https://www.facebook.com/gritbasketball

Share your thoughts using #GRITHoopsPodcast

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GRIT Basketball Academy is dedicated to developing high-level athletes through elite training, strategic coaching, and a relentless focus on skill development. Our mission is to build players who are not only fundamentally sound but also mentally tough, competitive, and prepared to excel at every level of the game.

March Madness is here, and we’re celebrating the incredible GRIT Basketball players competing at the NCAA Division I, II, and III levels in the 2025 tournament! In this special bonus episode, we give a well-deserved shoutout to the athletes who have put in the work and earned their spot on the biggest stage in college basketball.

Plus, we highlight GRIT alumni making waves in professional basketball, including WNBA Finals standout Diamond Miller and former Colgate star Tucker Richardson, now playing in Belgium.

Featured Players – 2025 NCAA Tournament

• Layla Castro – Stevens University
• Belle Pellecchia – NYU (#1 in the country)
• Brianna Montajes – Montclair University
• Amanda Rapel – Gettysburg University
• Hampton Sanders – NYU (#8 in the country)

• Isaiah Honis – Dominican College
• Jayden Honis – Dominican College

• Olivia Miles – Notre Dame (Top 5 in the country)
• Mikayla Blakes – Vanderbilt (Top team in the country)
• Jaylen Blakes – Stanford University
• Zio Kim – Princeton University
• Brynn Farrel – Providence (Senior)

• Diamond Miller – Currently playing overseas and a 2023 WNBA Finals competitor with the Minnesota Lynx
• Tucker Richardson – Playing professionally in Brussels, Belgium (former Colgate standout)

Join the Conversation:

Email us your questions and feedback: podcast@gritbasketball.com

Follow us on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/gritbasketball/
• https://www.facebook.com/gritbasketball

Share your thoughts using #GRITHoopsPodcast

Subscribe & leave a rating and a review!

GRIT Basketball Academy is dedicated to developing high-level athletes through elite training, strategic coaching, and a relentless focus on skill development. Our mission is to build players who are not only fundamentally sound but also mentally tough, competitive, and prepared to excel at every level of the game.

In the debut episode of the GRIT Hoops Podcast, Coach Kerry discusses what it truly means to play the game the “right” way. Is your coaching approach helping or hindering your players' growth? Are you prioritizing development over rigid systems and results? Let's challenge the myths of “equal opportunity” in basketball and break down why the best teams and players don’t play that way.

Topics Covered:
Over-Coaching vs. No Coaching – Why micromanaging players can be just as harmful as not coaching at all. Learn how to create an environment that fosters smart decision-making and aggressive play.

Development vs. System-Driven Coaching – Are you more focused on running plays or developing players? We discuss the balance between structure and allowing players to make instinctive, in-game decisions.

The Myth of “Equal” Everything – Equal playing time, equal scoring, and equal ball movement sound great in theory, but they don’t produce high-performing teams. Find out why forcing equality can lower performance levels and create unrealistic expectations.

How the Best Players and Teams Operate – The top teams and athletes attack with their strengths. They have go-to scorers and playmakers who take control when it matters most. We analyze how winning teams maximize their best players rather than focusing on spreading the ball to everyone equally.

Join the Conversation:

Email us your questions and feedback: podcast@gritbasketball.com

Follow us on social media:

• https://www.instagram.com/gritbasketball/
• https://www.facebook.com/gritbasketball

Share your thoughts using #GRITHoopsPodcast

Subscribe & leave a rating and a review!

GRIT Basketball Academy is dedicated to developing high-level athletes through elite training, strategic coaching, and a relentless focus on skill development. Our mission is to build players who are not only fundamentally sound but also mentally tough, competitive, and prepared to excel at every level of the game.

Welcome to The GRIT Hoops Podcast!

In this trailer episode, Coach Kerry, co-founder of GRIT Basketball Training Academy, introduces The GRIT Hoops Podcast—the go-to show for players, coaches, and parents who are serious about skill development, mindset, and unlocking true potential.

We’re cutting through the myths, breaking down elite training strategies, and sharing real, unfiltered basketball talk to help you level up on and off the court.

Hit follow or subscribe now, and get ready to transform your game! For more, visit gritbasketball.com/podcast.

Let’s get to work!