Meet Travis B! Travis is a basketball coach from Minnesota with professional experience. Get to know him a little better with his Coach Spotlight below!
Provide a brief summary of your participation playing and/or coaching your sport.
I was a three year all-conference player at DeLaSalle High School. My Senior year I was voted First Team All-State and was a Finalist for Mr. Basketball of Minnesota in 2005. I played four years at The University of North Dakota where I joined 1,000 point club. I also earned First Team All Great West Conference in 2010. I played 1 year Professionally in the Czech Republic for Svitavy in the Mattoni National Basketball League. I started coaching high school basketball in 2011 for Centennial High School in Circle Pines, Minnesota where I am currently the Head JV Girl’s Basketball Coach as well as the Varsity Assistant. I recently started coaching AAU Basketball for one of the top girl’s AAU programs the Minnesota Stars. I currently coach 6th Grade.
Why did you decide to become a private coach?
I decided to become a private coach because I wanted to give back all the knowledge and experience I have gained to help young aspiring athletes acheive their dreams through hard work and fortitude. I also donate portions of the money I make through coaching to provide assistance for a number of Native American issues that plague reservations across the North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.
What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I enjoy watching my basketball students confidence grow along with their skills. I love seeing people working hard to get better. But most of all I take pride in being a mentor and positive role model for players of all ages.
What can a client expect from private lessons with you?
When you come to one of my private lessons prepare to be challenged. Prepare to be pushed physically and mentally. Prepare to improve your Basketball IQ and Knowledge of the game. Expect to have Fun!!
What is your coaching style or philosophy?
My coaching style is very energetic, passionate, aggressive but understanding. My philosophy is Full Court pressure defense, strong helpside defense in the full court and the half court. I believe in unity and teamwork while still establishing roles to help players play to their fullest potential.
Who is your favorite coach and why?
My favorite coach is my High school basketball coach from DeLaSalle in Minneapolis, MN, Dave Thorson. Coach Thorson was and continues to be one of the best high school basketball coaches in America. Coach Thorson pushed me harder than any other coach I have had and his knowledge for the game of basketball is hard to match. He taught me responsibility and accountability in the game of basketball and in the game of life.
What is your favorite moment in your athletic career?
My favorite moments of my athletic career were probably getting the call from my agent telling me I got a contract to play in the Czech Republic and when the plane took off from the airport heading to Europe I knew I was a professional basketball player.
What is your favorite sports related movie?
My favorite sports related movie is “He Got Game” starring Denzel Washington and Ray Allen. Congrats to Ray Allen on winning another NBA Championship with the Miami Heat.
What’s your mantra or favorite saying (in the context of sport and/ or life)?
“It’s Not Where You Start. It’s Where You Finish,” (and you’re going to finish on top).
Do you have any special talents or a surprising thing someone might not know about you?
I started my own basketball training business, The Last Sioux Skillz Academy and with the help of CoachUp I am able to grow faster and touch more lives through basketball. My goal is to help teach my athletes to incorporate the four Lakota Values of Generosity (Wacantognaka), Courage (Woohitika), Respect (Wowacintanka), and Wisdom (Woksape) into their basketball games and their lives. I believe in helping mold well-rounded individual athletes that are able to take on the world and it’s many challenges after basketball is finished. I also donate to different charities aimed to benefit Native Americans across the States of North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. Coach Travis is booking basketball sessions now! Click here to check out his profile. 
