A basketball is seen mid-air approaching a hoop on an outdoor basketball court during sunset.

Player Development 

A Long-Term, Intentional Pathway to Excellence

At The Gillion Academy, player development isn’t left to chance—it’s a core part of our daily structure and philosophy. Every athlete receives focused, personalized training rooted in fundamentals, progression, and mentorship.

We’re not just preparing students to win games—we’re preparing them to succeed at the next level and beyond with a 6-point program:

  1. Individual Skill Development

Our players receive daily reps in all key areas of the game:

  • Shooting mechanics and shot selection

  • Ball handling, footwork, and finishing

  • Perimeter and post play development

  • Defensive technique and on-ball pressure

  • IQ-driven drills that simulate real-game decisions

Tools like the Dr. Dish shooting system are used to deliver high-volume, high-efficiency reps with built-in data tracking—allowing players and coaches to monitor growth and target areas for improvement.

2. Position-Specific Training

Whether you're a guard, wing, or big, your workouts are tailored for your role:

  • Guards: pace control, pick-and-roll reads, playmaking

  • Forwards: post work, midrange creation, face-up moves

  • Wings: 3-and-D development, transition reads, spacing IQ

Training is adaptable based on each player’s goals, physical development, and readiness.

3. Basketball IQ & Film Study

Smart players win games. That’s why our program includes:

  • Game breakdown sessions with coaches

  • Self-scouting and player-led film review

  • Analytics to support understanding of spacing, decision-making, and tempo

  • Chalk-talk and whiteboard sessions to reinforce team concepts

We teach the “why” behind the reps—so players can read the floor, adjust in real time, and lead from the court.

4. Performance & Physical Development

Athleticism is built—not assumed. We train athletes to move efficiently and perform consistently:

  • Speed and agility

  • Plyometric and functional strength training

  • Mobility, flexibility, and recovery work

  • Prehab and injury prevention protocols

  • Nutrition and recovery education

Our strength and conditioning program is built into the daily schedule, allowing players to develop safely and systematically across the year.

5. Mental Toughness & Leadership

True player development goes beyond skill. We build competitors who:

  • Handle pressure with poise

  • Lead vocally and by example

  • Accept coaching and seek out hard work

  • Stay focused through setbacks and adversity

Leadership training is reinforced in practice, academics, and our Life Skills Program—developing not just better players, but better people.

6. Personalized Growth Plans

Every student-athlete receives regular evaluations and a tailored development plan based on:

  • Skill assessment

  • Game performance

  • Physical metrics

  • Academic standing

  • Personal goals

We track progress over time and adjust the plan to meet the needs of each player.

Develop the Person. Elevate the Player.

We believe that the best athletes are grounded, coachable, and consistent. That’s what we build every day at Gillion—through structure, mentorship, and elite-level training.

❊ FAQs

You’ve got questions,
we’ve got answers

  • Students spend 20+ hours each week in structured training, which includes skill work, scrimmages, game play, weight training, and recovery, all guided by Division I and professional coaches.

  • Coaches use a combination of performance metrics, film review sessions, and direct mentorship to help players set goals, measure growth, and stay accountable.

  • Yes. We emphasize basketball IQ, decision-making, resilience, and leadership skills, so players are prepared not only to perform but also to lead their teams at the next level.

  • The USA Basketball Gold Coach License—required by the NCAA’s Basketball Certification System (BBCS)—ensures that coaches meet high standards for training, safety, and eligibility when working in NCAA-certified events. Coaches must complete background checks, SafeSport training, youth-development courses, and NCAA eligibility education before coaching or benching athletes. This credential enables participation in NCAA-observed events, reinforcing the credibility and safety of our athlete development program.