MEET OUR COACHES
RICK MAHORN
RICK MAHORN
Big Man Skills Lead Coach
Rick Mahorn was a member of the legendary Detroit Pistons “Bad Boys.” An 18-year veteran of the NBA who also played two seasons in Italy, Rick is currently one-half of the Pistons’ radio broadcast team.
You can read about Rick and the "Bad Boys" here
"My goal is to get you to always be a student of the game. Hakeem was one of the most gifted post players, but guys like Kareem and Kevin McHale, once they developed a counter-move, became much harder to defend. You will leave the camp with a better understanding of the game, and of your game – that will help you become the best player you can be. Based on my many years as a player and coach, I would say, too, that the mental part of the game is holding too many players back today. Combine the mental component with the physical skills you have and you will become a much more complete player. This combination – the physical plus the mental – makes our camp truly one-of-a-kind."
MITCH SMITH
Mental Conditioning Coach
Dr. Mitch Smith has worked with hundreds of college and professional basketball players, coaches, and teams in both the U.S. and Europe helping them to develop the mental qualities to achieve greater competitive success. For the past ten years he served as Director of Sport Psychology Services at Florida Atlantic University.
The true value of a camp is if it can help you become a more dominating player in critical game situations. That is where the mental part comes in. For over 20 years I have helped players become mentally tougher so that they can:
- Maintain consistent focus and fend off distractions of all sorts
- Use effective strategies to keep their confidence high during a game (or a season)'s ups and down
- Employ mental rehearsal techniques to compete at the highest level
- Keep anger from getting in the way, and use it to their advantage
- Become more resilient and more aggressive by accepting setbacks as challenges and opportunities rather than defeats
“Mitch Smith is passionately committed to helping athletes capitalize on their talents and reach their dreams. He has worked with several players in our basketball program. Their success can be traced, in part, to the direction and inspiration he has provided. He is committed to excellence and his integrity is the foundation of all that he does.”
—Bob McKillop, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Davidson College, 2008 NCAA Coach of the Year, 2013 Head USA Men’s Basketball Coach at World University Games, and College Coach of Stephen Curry
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| Rick and Mitch at the U.S. Embassy in Serbia |
MANOLO POVEA
HANNO SCHOENMAKERS
Big Man Skills/Player Development Coach
Manolo brings a wealth of international coaching experience, including coaching positions in Portugal, Venezuela, Iraq (where he coached the National Team in 2014) and his native Spain. Manolo is from Malaga, and has been as assistant coach in Spain's ACB, helping take his teams to the ACB Finals and three times in EuroLeague competition. As a head coach in LEB Gold, LEB Silver and EBA he has compiled a successful record, and is highly respected by coaches and players alike.
HANNO SCHOENMAKERS
Big Man Skills Coach
Hanno (2.21m, 7'3") hails from the Netherlands, and had a career in the post that spanned several years and countries, including Holland, Belgium, France and Italy. Hanno does not consider himself a nabural talent, but like fellow Dutch big man Rik Smits who found his niche with the Indiana Pacers, or 7'4" Mark Eaton, who came to basketball late and hardly played in college but went on to bedome a blocking specialist with the Utah Jazz, Hanno was able to combine defensive ability, hard work and consistent play to make a career.
"I look forward to sharing my experience and knowlege and helping the taller guys get the maximum benefit from the camp."
To go to the main camp page click here.
"I look forward to sharing my experience and knowlege and helping the taller guys get the maximum benefit from the camp."
To go to the main camp page click here.
