NORTH METRO ELITE
NME SCOREBOARD
4/21/24
NME 12U/2030 56
GA DUCKS 40
Final CHAMPIONSHIP
4/21/24
NME 14U/2028 42
AE5 (ADIDAS) 37
Final CHAMPIONSHIP
NME-APPROVED TRAINERS
Training has become a part of the youth basketball culture and a complementary part of player development. Lots of trainers to choose from - many to most in the Metro ATL are great people, former players, and excellent teachers. NME supports our players who work with any number of player development specialists throughout the area, and specifically, NME has multiple coaches on our staff who train for an hourly fee. All of our coaches who train are ex-high school, college or even pro players and are teachers at an elite level - you will be receiving excellent instruction from a background-checked, great character mentor of the game. The trainers listed on this page are approved by NME staff, and come with superior parent testimonials. We have more if you need additional options, just ask for our contacts and recommendations. All of the trainers listed here have led players to make their HS team or make it to the next level.
(See the "What to look for in Basketball Training?" Checklist listed at the bottom of the page)
TOMMY THOMPSON
Coach Thompson is the Senior Territory Sales Leader for Mannington Mills, but is best known as the All-world starting point guard for the 2004 Division II National Champion Kennesaw State University basketball team! He is also the President and CEO of “Above the Line” Training Academy and one of the lead basketball trainers in the area. Having been inducted into the Kennesaw State Hall of Fame, Coach Thompson is a prominent member of the KSU Alumni community as well as conducting his most important jobs – Christ-follower, dad, husband and family man.
Phone: 678-206-7021
Website: https://abovethelinetraining.com/
Email: TommyThompson310@hotmail.com
Location: ATL NW Suburbs
ROB ALLEN
"Trainer to the NBA Stars!" Rob Allen is a former star at Temple University and is known for training most of the young NBA talent you see on TV every week. Atlanta NBA guys such as Colin Sexton and many more fly into the ATL, or fly Coach Rob to their NBA training facility, to learn and train under his tutelage. Coach Allen is usually booked and rarely takes new clients, especially if they are not a Top 150 high school player or better. You can message Coach Allen through his instagram account, but NME players can connect directly through Coach Rob and our NME Director's long-time friendship. NME parents should ask for a personal phone number and introduction.
KHARON CAMERON
Coach K has multiple "5-star" parent testimonials and is a player favorite. Former Game Elite and Marietta HS star. Young coach who connects with young kids and middle school ballers. Highly recommended.
Phone: 470-530-8960
Location: ATL NW Suburbs
Lots of trainers out there. Parents should apply strict scrutiny to who you invest your time and money with, and what you should expect from "trainers" or "training."
What to look for in Basketball Training for your son or daughter?
1. Experience teaching to kids.
2. Good character.
3. Criminal background checked by some entity, or can provide bona fides as to their personal conduct.
4. What metric, or skill, you can clearly discern is being taught to and then applied by your baller. Dribbling around a cone, getting shots up, can be done in your front driveway without paying money. Be wise with your investment of dollars and time.
5.
What is the trainer's
motivation? A good trainer trains for pay - it is a capitalist system of course, and their time has a value - but are they recruiting you to their AAU team?. Are they actually trying to build an AAU team, as opposed to teaching your child the skills to get better as a basketball player? This would be a red flag for most parents. Not a disqualifier, but a warning sign of what they are truly committed to and are they trust-worthy in their communication.
6. Do they have sessions with 20-30-40 kids? Are you getting individual instruction? Some trainers can reach your kids with new skills even in a class of 40, but it is more difficult to do so. The best sessions are less than 20, and ideally 12-15 kids or less in that session.
7. Pro/Con -
CON: Trainers need to keep you as a client, so they are going to be prone to flattering you. Many will praise your child's growth in their training sessions, and are dismissive of the team coach who does not play your son/daughter or give them extended minutes. PLEASE BE ADVISED - BASKETBALL IS AND REMAINS A TEAM SPORT. Learning to dribble behind your back can be a useful tool,
but is NOT a necessary tool to help your team! High school and AAU coaches make decisions to win games, they don't want to lose either. Playing time on that team is usually based upon being able to play within the team concept. Don't trust trainers who speak poorly of team coaches - they have no idea what is happening within and for the TEAM. Good trainers will work with the team coaches to ensure they are on the same page for player development.
Invest your money wisely - training and player development is a valuable tool in your son/daughter's basketball journey. But it is not an end-all - your baller must practice what they learn in training. They need to work on, on their own, the master skill of shooting to improve their chances of playing time on a team; they have to apply what they learn in training to the team concept......Training (with a coach or not) is a necessary component of player development and a huge part of the basketball ecosystem. But make sure you spend your money wisely - research, learn, ask questions, ask for alternative opinions and contrary advice - get all perspectives before making a decision on what is the best path for your son/daughter's development in the sport of basketball.