Get ready to amp up your game with the March edition of the Hoop Dreams Basketball newsletter! This month, we're turning up the heat with our HD Fit program, offering unbeatable fitness opportunities to fuel your journey to greatness. Brace yourselves as we unveil our summer camp lineup, packed with thrilling skill-enhancing camps tailored to players of all levels. Our Spring/Summer Club Session is in full swing, igniting the court with electrifying tryouts and team formations. Hold onto your seats as we introduce the Girls Division in our Spring League, setting the stage for unprecedented on-court action. Spaces are filling up fast for our spring programs, including First Time Ballers and Little Hoopers, promising an unforgettable experience for young athletes. And that's not all – get ready to celebrate our journey with revamped updates to our Alumni Page and a sneak peek at the upcoming "History" page, showcasing Hoop Dreams' epic evolution. Join us as we continue to elevate the game and redefine basketball excellence together!

Greetings Hoop Dreams community!

Let the games begin! As we soar into the heart of basketball season, the thrill is contagious. The NBA All-Star Game is on the horizon, March Madness is gearing up, and the road to Rupp Arena is ablaze with excitement. Hoop Dreams is catching fire too, getting set for the most exhilarating stretch of the year! The courts are buzzing with life, and we're right in the mix. Our winter league is in full swing, promising mind-blowing development, nail-biting games, and victories that'll be talked about for ages. Hold on tight as we unleash HD Fit, Adult Skills Fitness, and keep the flames alive with our all-girls skills clinic. Club tryouts are around the corner, starting mid-February, giving players the stage to showcase their skills.

Plus, mark your calendars for our upcoming camps, where passion meets precision in skill development. Join us on this journey of excellence, exploration, and empowerment at Hoop Dreams!

Hoop Dreams is at it early, 930am early (gotta love AAU ball), to cover the 2033 Boys and 2031 Girls Hoop Dreams Club Teams from Lexington. This tournament, being held at Griffin Elite in the Greater Cincinnati Area, looked to highlight some of the top elementary talent in the region. It’s going to be a long day, but Hoop Dreams is up to the task.

Greetings Hoop Dreams community! As we dive into 2024, we're thrilled to kick off the year with an array of exciting programs designed to elevate your basketball experience. In this edition, we shine a spotlight on our upcoming Girls Only Training classes, providing a supportive atmosphere for girls of all skill levels to flourish on the court. Experience the next level of fitness with HD Fit, our dynamic youth sports performance program, meticulously designed to optimize skills and physique. Get inspired by our Athlete Spotlight, featuring Baylor Chen—a testament to the dedication and growth we celebrate in our Hoop Dreams family. Plus, mark your calendars for our upcoming camps, where passion meets precision in skill development. Join us on this journey of excellence, exploration, and empowerment at Hoop Dreams!

Embarking on the journey of basketball tryouts can be both thrilling and nerve-wracking. As you step onto the court, remember that your success isn't just measured by points scored but by the skills you bring to the table. At Hoop Dreams, we understand that this moment isn't just about making the team; it's about transcending the ordinary, pushing boundaries, and showcasing the culmination of your dedication. Here's a deeper dive into how you can seamlessly integrate the lessons from our training programs into your upcoming tryouts. These are the pillars that, when incorporated into your game, will not only catch the coach's eye but will also embody the very spirit of Hoop Dreams. So, let's embark on this journey together – a journey that transcends the boundaries of the court and propels you toward success in your upcoming tryouts.

Explore the newest developments, thrilling transformations, and heartfelt revelations in our Hoop Dreams newsletter! Embark on this journey with us as we strive to enhance your basketball experience and foster a tighter-knit community. Anticipate a fresh chapter unfolding, united together

Discover the latest updates, exciting changes, and heartfelt insights in our first-ever Hoop Dreams newsletter! We're on a journey to transform your Hoop Dreams experience and bring our community closer together. Get ready for a new chapter, together.

Inspired by the dedication of one of their own, Hoop Dreams celebrates Tyler Doyle's incredible basketball journey. Starting with us at just 12 years old, Tyler's commitment and hard work led him from a young enthusiast to a standout player. He's now set to take his talents to Bellarmine University in the 2024-2025 season, and we couldn't be prouder of his success.

In basketball, success depends on the quality of leadership that you find on each team. I’m not just talking about the coach and the way he runs his squad — to be an effective player you must be a proficient leader. There shouldn’t just be one leader on your team. In fact, every player should be a leader in their own right. At the end of the day, all truly great basketball players are great leaders, too.

Are you interested in helping your kid develop as a basketball player? Check out the youth basketball camps offered by Hoop Dreams in Lexington. These elite training camps will help your player perfect the fundamentals of offense, defense, and team play, while helping them find their role as a valuable member of a team. Sign up for our Fundamentals First, Shooting Lab, Point Guard Academy, and Elite Scoring programs or contact us to learn more about our Summer 2020 youth basketball camps!

Now, here are four ways that our youth basketball...

If you are a youth basketball player looking for an elite basketball camp in Lexington, you need to check out the Hoop Dreams Summer 2020 camps! Headed by Coach Mike Scott and his team of world class instructors, players of all ages and skill levels can expect to develop their games and become stronger, more confident competitors on the court. Year after year, our basketball camps sell out quickly, so don’t wait to lock down a spot for your player. Register today or contact us for more information. Here are five reasons you need to enroll your Hooper in our youth basketball camps this summer.

IMPROVE FUNDAMENTALS

A house is only as strong as its foundation, and no player can expect to reach their full potential without mastering the fundamentals of basketball. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The Fundamental Factory. Our signature youth basketball camp is focused on improving every aspect of...

The phrase “defense wins championships” is a cliche for a reason — it’s true. While we all love a crowd-raising dunk or an ankle-breaking dribble, the defensive side of the ball is equally — if not more — important. That is why all quality coaches and basketball training programs stress defensive technique, positioning and strategy just as much as offensive skills and development.

Hoop Dreams provides competitive and recreational youth leagues, elite skills training and summer basketball camps in Lexington. Led by Coach Mike Scott, our experienced group of trainers are passionate about sharing their knowledge and experience to help young players develop competitive skill-sets and grow their love for the game — contact us today in Lexington for more information!

FUNDAMENTALS OF GOOD DEFENSE

In today’s post, we are going to go over just a few of the key fundamentals of solid defensive play. To learn more, sign up for one of the basketball training programs at Hoop Dreams!

First, let’s take a quick look at some standard defensive mistakes to...

Your basketball player recently told you they’re ready to take their game to the next level. So the two of you talk about what that entails and decide to look into local basketball trainers. What many parents don’t realize, though, is that not all hoops instructors are of the same caliber.

Here are some tips for choosing a basketball trainer in Lexington.

Ask about experience

You want your son or daughter to work with someone who understands basketball inside and out. Begin your search by looking for instructors who played at a high level (college and/or professional). Ironically, there are plenty of top-flight basketball players out there who would make lousy coaches. That’s why we suggest asking about coaching experience specifically.

Mike Scott, our top basketball trainer at Hoop Dreams, is more than well-versed in the game. Coach Mike played collegiately at Cecil Community College in northeast Maryland where he earned All-American honors. The defensive specialist spent several years as a junior college...

Another basketball season is just about underway in Lexington. Here at Hoop Dreams, our coaches want to help you gain an advantage over the competition during tryouts. Check out these tips for impressing the decision-makers and, ultimately, making your team this fall.

Be early

“If you’re not early, you’re late.” Whether you’ve heard this phrase hundreds of times or not at all, it certainly applies to basketball tryouts. Players who make a habit of arriving early for everything often get the chance to develop relationships with teammates and receive individual instruction from the coaches. Additionally, early arrivers can take their time getting ready (lacing up shoes, having a snack, etc.) as opposed to players who show up either right when practice starts or shortly after.

Be in shape

Players hoping to make an elite basketball team this fall must be in impressive shape — period. Those who show they are visibly exhausted after conditioning drills are typically the first ones cut. At Hoop Dreams, we suggest going through some sort of preseason workout...

Every young basketball player today dreams of having the shooting ability of Steph Curry. Sure, it may seem like an impossible goal. But unless your player puts in the work, they’ll never unlock their true potential.

With another season just a few months away, now is the time to start becoming an offensive threat. Here are five ways to improve your shot.

Locate the rim earlier

Players are taught at a young age to look up while they possess the ball. Doing so not only allows them to survey the floor, but also keeps the defense honest. This same idea carries over to shooting as well. By locating the rim even a second earlier, you give your brain more time to calculate distance and focus on your target.

Improve your follow-through

Many young players make the mistake of following through with a tense wrist. Keep in mind that your wrists should stay relaxed, and your fingers should be pointed at your target (the rim). A player with good shooting form can usually see their fingers at the top of the background during their follow-through.

Avoid...

Another NBA season has come and gone. While the average basketball fan may have been focused on Kevin Durant’s injury, the long-term state of the Golden State Warriors, or even the eventual landing spot of Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, the Hoop Dreams team was watching from an instructional standpoint.

What exactly do we mean by this? For one thing, we’re firm believers in young players watching the best players in the world, figuring out what they do well, and then implementing that into their own game. Here are three things we learned while watching the NBA Finals.

Defense remains an integral part of the game

Scoring in the NBA continues to be on the rise. Part of the trend can be attributed to players attempting more three-pointers than ever before and coaches putting less of an importance on defense during the regular season. However, as was the case during the playoffs and especially the Finals, defense is what ultimately wins championships.

Being a good defender in basketball starts at a young age. As we mentioned in a previous...

Every basketball player must learn from their mistakes at a young age. The earlier your child can correct their struggles on the court, the quicker they can grow their skill set. That said, here are five of the most common mistakes made by youth basketball players today.

Forgetting about the “triple threat”

Upon possessing the basketball, a player can either dribble, pass, or shoot. This is what’s known as the “triple threat” in the sport. Yet as simple as the triple threat may seem, many young players forget about it altogether.

Remind your child about the advantage they have when they first possess the ball. A defender will undoubtedly be on their heels when the person they’re guarding has the option to dribble, pass, or shoot. Trust us when we say that a young player who understands the triple threat will have a leg up on their peers from an offensive standpoint.

Defending with the arms instead of the feet

It’s natural for young basketball players to try controlling their opponent’s movements with their arms. However, the key to being a...

Is your favorite basketball player ready to take their game to the next level? The Hoop Dreams team is excited to announce our summer 2019 basketball camps in Lexington. Whether your player is just starting out on the hardwood or has been playing basketball for several years, we have a camp that’s perfect for them.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these youth basketball camps.

“THE COMPLETE PLAYER”

The best basketball clinics are the ones that touch on player development and skills training. That’s just what participants get at “The Complete Player” session at Hoop Dreams! Our instructors will focus on ball handling, shooting mechanics, speed and agility, as well as must-know defensive strategies.

Over the course of four days, participants will grow their knowledge of the game while also improving their skill set and having fun. Participants should also expect plenty of opportunities for game play and competition. This session takes place June 10-13 at Hoop Dreams.

“THE FUNDAMENTAL...

You’ve heard it before — sports are great for a child’s development. In this post, we thought it would be good to explain how basketball specifically can serve as a foundation for your son or daughter as they get older.

Here are five reasons to get your child involved in basketball:

Physical fitness

Let’s get the most obvious one out of the way first. Kids ages 6 to 17 need at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity each day. Plus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children should engage in more intense exercise three days a week.

For many children, gym class and recess aren’t enough, which is why it’s important for parents to explore sports. A beginning basketball player will not only learn the intricacies of the sport such as dribbling, passing, and shooting, but they will also subconsciously incorporate frequent physical activity into their daily routines.

Motor skills

Basketball does more than just work up a sweat for your child. The earlier they start basketball training, the more your child’s motor skills...

You practice night after night, you perform drills, play games, and have a winning record, but what does it really take to get a college basketball scholarship? Being an exceptional basketball player is a large part of what it takes, but grades, having an overall great sportsmanship, and other qualities are what will make you stand out from other hopeful youth basketball players. To enhance your skills and gain knowledge and experience, sign up today for Mike Scott’s basketball camps. Our basketball training programs help youth of all ages prepare for a career in basketball.

GPA AND ACT/SAT SCORES

In addition to on-court skills, being able to show a college or university that you are a hard worker off-court is also important. Education for any college is a priority so the education and the grades you receive in high school will show that you are able to have a workload as well as stay on top of your basketball game. Throughout...

There’s a common misconception among youth basketball athletes today that can make or break their ability to grow into a great player rather than just a good player.

The difference seems like a nitpick, but it’s actually really complex and crucial.

Are you ready to know the key? Alright, here it goes.

There’s a major difference between working out and training.

Boom! There it is.

Athletes of all levels and ages should understand that there is a distinction between working out and training, and know that only through proper training can your basketball game be elevated to the next level.

So, what is the difference?

Working out is simply exercise, any sort of physical activity with the purpose of improving your fitness but not geared towards improving towards a specific target or goal.

Don’t get us wrong: Working out is great and vital towards maintaining a proper level of physical fitness.

But you can do more.

Training is a more focused approach to working out, utilizing a goal-oriented approach through repetition, proper...

Calling all basketball coaches, trainers and counselors: Have you harnessed the power of Retweets, likes and shares?

Do you know what “Doing it for the ‘Gram,” means? Do you have a Snapchat handle?

Well, here’s a news flash: Your players sure do.

Love it or hate it, the fact of the matter is there is only one absolute truth about social media in today’s age.

It’s here to stay.

Your recruits, players, and even fellow coaches are constantly on social media, presenting a unique opportunity for you as a basketball coach should you choose to accept it.

Embracing social media not only gives you an outlet to promote your basketball training camps, programs and knowledge, it also allows for an opportunity to connect with the players you work with on a daily basis.

Here at Hoop Dreams basketball camps in Lexington, our founder Mike Scott has been on the forefront of embracing and promoting the powers of social media when it comes to connecting with his youth basketball players.

...

Being a successful basketball player comes with hard work, dedication, and making mistakes. Youth basketball players need to make mistakes in order to learn; however, making the same mistakes over and over again will just create bad habits. If order to learn, players need to be aware of what mistakes they are making. With Mike Scott’s basketball camps, youth basketball players can participate in basketball training programs, summer camps, and basketball leagues that will teach them form and gives them an opportunity to practice moves through drills and real games. Here are some of the most common mistakes young basketball players make.

• SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME IN OFFENSIVE GAME

Knowing and being skilled in all areas of the court will make youth better team players. Practicing both defensive and offensive skills will improve your overall game. Rather than just focusing on shooting, spend some time working on your defensive game, which involves contesting shots, keeping active hands, and making sure you’re in the passing lane when necessary.

• PLAYERS...

Youth basketball players can practice shooting for weeks and months, but if they don’t have the correct form, they are just creating and reinforcing a habit that can become hard to correct. At Hoop Dreams basketball camp with coach Mike Scott, youth will learn the nuances of correct shooting form and will have the opportunity to practice this form through drills and real games. Before young basketball players begin practicing shooting form on the court, they must understand the fundamentals of the movement and why each motion is important.

STANCE AND BALANCE

For any shot, your feet should be pointed towards the hoop, but not necessarily square. If you are a right handed shooter, it may feel more comfortable to point your toes slightly to the left of the rim for an open stance. The feet should also be shoulder width apart to aid in balance. Stagger your feet so that your shooting foot is slightly ahead of the non-shooting foot. Remember, the position should feel comfortable and remain consistent. Line up your feet and your body the same way each time.

...

In the spirit of the previous blogs featured on the North Carolina Tar Heels, we thought we would stick to the theme and do a feature on our basketball camp’s home state, Kentucky. An incredibly successful team, the Kentucky Wildcats will be our source of inspiration for youth basketball lovers who are working hard toward becoming great basketball players themselves. Keep in mind that players on this team didn’t become successful overnight. If you want to participate in a basketball league, sign up for Hoop Dreams with Mike Scott today.

SOME IMPRESSIVE STATS:

• The most successful NCAA Division I basketball team in history with a .765 winning percentage and 2,237 all-time wins.
• They have appeared in the NCAA tournament 54 times.
• They had 124 NCAA tournament wins.
• They played in 17 NCAA Final Fours and 12 NCAA Championship games.
• Kentucky Wildcats lead the schools with 6 35-win seasons and 15 30-win seasons.

Any basketball fan knows that the North Carolina Tar Heels won the March Madness Championship recently. So we thought we would do a feature on the successful team. From the very beginning in 1910 through today, the Tar Heels has seen some of the most successful basketball players, coaches, and seasons, and even record breaking wins. Here are a few just to get started:

• The Tar Heels have won 18 Atlantic Coast Conference tournament titles.
• 31 Atlantic Coast Conference regular season titles.
• From the beginning, their winning percentage is .739, second highest all-time.
• They have the most consecutive 20-win seasons with 31 seasons between 1970-2000.
• They have made it to the NCAA tournament 45 times, second-most all-time.

There are far more impressive statistics on this team. At Mike Scott’s basketball camp, we want each youth basketball member to strive for achievements in their basketball careers.

Spring is around the corner, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to stop practicing the sports you love. Basketball season is in the winter, so it may have been a couple months since you have played on a team, but that’s no reason to give up and spend the summer months not maintaining and enhancing your skills. Participating in a basketball camp and having the support of a basketball coach to keep you motivated during repetitive drills can be just what you need to push through the summer and go back to school in the fall feeling more confident about your playing than ever.

APRIL 3RD – 7TH, 2017

If you want to continue learning new skills and strengthening your dexterity with the ball, join Mike Scott’s basketball league this April.

SIGN UP FOR OUR BASKETBALL CAMPS!

WHAT TO EXPECT

Summer basketball camps are a great chance to keep practicing skills needed to play a competitive game during the season. It can be challenging...

When youth dream of becoming a great basketball player, it takes determination and dedication to the game. Playing on a high school team every season might not be enough to continue learning and enhancing skills needed to play during college and beyond. That’s where Mike Scott’s basketball camps come into the picture. With personal basketball training, intense drills, and practice playing on a team against other talented players, youth can learn what it takes and the skills needed to play some serious basketball.

To get a head start, you can begin practicing these offensive skills that can help you become the player you dream of. When you join Mike Scott’s basketball league, you will have the attention and guidance you need; but practicing in and out of these leagues will ensure that you are headed in the right direction.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BASKETBALL COACH MIKE SCOTT

OFFENSIVE SKILLSRIPPING

It is helpful to practice this skill with...

Without realizing it, just being on a team sport will provide you with lessons that can be hard to learn anywhere else. Team sports like basketball give youth an opportunity to spend time with other kids and work together to achieve a common goal. During the summer, or after school, basketball leagues or training camps can provide kids who love the sport a chance to have fun while being on a team and learning valuable basketball skills and lessons.

Think Achievements

Playing on a sports team is all about goals and wanting to achieve the best; whether that’s winning games, becoming the MVP, having the most assists, or just being proud of your team. When a youth sets their own goals and is motivated towards achieving his or her goals and feeling the immense satisfaction of having worked hard to achieve them, that is itself a win.

SIGN UP FOR A SUMMER BASKETBALL CAMP TODAY!

Accountability

Being on a team means working...

Basketball players are dedicated sports players, not only practicing before games, but year round and also have a strong training program that includes more than just basketball drills. Professional basketball players don’t train or workout like regular people, they focus on more than just weight lifting and getting their heart rate up. Though it does take these things as well, learn how a pro basketball player trains. If you want to get started on your basketball training and work on building your skills with a true basketball coach, Mike Scott, see what Hoop Dreams has to offer.

Sweat and Hydrate

Sweating during a workout can take a lot out of a player, literally. Many basketballs lose several pounds on the court due to sweating. This may be extreme for a youth basketball player, but when you train for hours and sweat constantly, you need to rehydrate properly. Sports nutritionists say that you should drink 20 ounces of water for every pound you lose from sweating.

...

Becoming good at sports takes a lot of hard work, determination, enthusiasm, and a whole lot of gusto! To be a team player, to be someone that others look up to, to have the skill to play in any stage of the game, from youth basketball, high school ball, college basketball, and beyond takes more than just being tall, fast on the court, and quick with the ball. Being a great basketball player takes passion. Many of the youth out there who have grown up with basketball have their favorite players who they look up to. It can be easy to assume that these players were great from the beginning, but they all went through training and tough drills just like you. For some inspiration when you feel defeated, think about how these greats got their start. If you’re looking for a basketball camp to help you become the great basketball player you strive to be, contact Mike Scott’s Hoop Dreams.

Welcome to our blog! Anyone who is on this site obviously has a love for basketball and wants to continue learning, playing, and competing. Now, with the guidance and expertise of Mike Scott, with summer basketball camps and basketball leagues, young adults will be able to practice and compete against other equally passionate players.

CLICK HERE: League Info

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Ball State is coming off its fifth straight win and welcomes New Orleans for the first meeting between the teams since 1984.

Hoop Dreams Damien Harris ready