We recently interviewed Coach Matthew K, a private basketball coach with CoachUp. Coach Matthew has an extensive college basketball resume. During his basketball training sessions, he focuses on what players need to improve, want to improve, and need to help them advance in basketball.
Tell us about yourself.
I have been playing basketball since I was three years old. In high school, I was a McDonalds All-American nominee and went on to play college ball at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. I was all conference and scored over 1,000 points at Swarthmore. I have coached at numerous basketball camps and clinics since I was able to do so.
Why did you decide to become a private coach?
I saw older guys get coached when I was younger and thought it was great. My dad was always my basketball coach when I was growing up. But for kids who have parents that cannot coach them, private coaching is great. If they put the work into getting better with a coach, they can get a lot out of it.
What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I enjoy seeing the improvement. I have never coached anyone who has not improved. It is great to see how happy the kids always are, and just playing with the older kids is a lot of fun.
What can a client expect from private lessons with you?
I have high intensity and high positivity workouts. I want playing basketball to be fun. My clients are paying good money for my coaching so they should expect to get a lot out of each session.
What is your coaching style or philosophy?
Positivity helps younger kids work harder and do better.
Who is your favorite coach and why?
My middle school and high school basketball coach. He taught me the most about the game and helped me reach my potential.
What is your favorite moment in your athletic career?
Reaching the 1000 point mark in my second to last basketball game of my career. I scored 31 points in that game. Also, I made a buzzer beater to beat Franklin & Marshall on the road. We had not beaten them on the road in about 40 years.
Do you have any success stories from coaching an athlete?
I love when kids come back from AAU or high school basketball tryouts and tell me they have made the team. It is the small achievements that make it all worthwhile.
What other sports or activities do you enjoy playing or practicing?
I ran cross country and played tennis in high school, and I play some soccer now.
What is your favorite sports related movie?
Remember the Titans
What’s your mantra or favorite saying (in the context of sport and/ or life)?
It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size fight in the dog.
What team do you root for most enthusiastically? (any sport)
San Antonio Spurs
Do you have any special talents or a surprising thing someone might not know about you?
I have bodysurfed in four different oceans.
Coach Matthew books private basketball coaching sessions on CoachUp, and his profile can be viewed here.
