Great teachers have a passion for their subject. Great teachers pass their passion onto the student. This Spring, several players went to Canton to work a couple times with Hunter Rhodes. It was noticeable they showed stronger ball skills and higher confidence with just a couple sessions. That was impressive to me. When I got to see them do drill work with their high school team, they went thru drills with a higher intensity and greater passion than they had before.
I am not trying to say Hunter Rhodes is going to change a player overnight, but he certainly is going to get them headed in the right direction. He has an uncanny ability to break skills down, and to build enthusiasm for basketball. Hunter is a great teacher because of not only his knowledge but because of his high passion.
Hunter Rhodes has alternative ways that he can help an athlete. He has individual sessions, group sessions, and he has an app to work off of. Parents if your son/daughter is serious about improving their game- read this info. Players if you are really serious about improving your game- read this info. Coaches if you are looking for a coaching aid- read this.
Massey- Before I talk to you about the programs you have to offer, I want people to get to know you and what a great background you have had as a basketball player. You had a great experience at Kirkwood CC with Coach Peterson. Obviously he is a "rising star" in the world of college coaching and he led you to a National Title.Could you share a little of your experience at Kirkwood and what made Coach Peterson such a good coach?
Rhodes- Kirkwood was some of the most fun times I have ever had playing the game of basketball. Only having two years there I was able to develop friendships and relationships that will be life long. This is something I will never take for granted. Being an All-American and winning a national championship is something I’ll always remember as well. Coach Peterson is a phenomenal coach. He had standards that you had to live up to as a player and he made sure every single person was held accountable to these standards. He helped take my game to another level in lots of different ways. Also, whenever I need something I know I can give him a call. A great person and coach!
Massey- From Kirkwood, you went onto to UNI. People who don’t follow the MVC may not realize how nuts the fans and community are in supporting UNI. I have had the opportunity to go to a couple games at Cedar Falls, it is a big-time atmosphere. What was it like to get to play basketball at that level?
Rhodes- Playing basketball at UNI was a dream come true. The dream growing up was to play D1 basketball and I was able to do that. Playing at a high level every night and competing against some of the best NBA players now was something I dreamed about. The experiences I had along the way and the friendships I gained I’ll forever be grateful for.
Massey-First Peterson and then Ben Jacobson, you had two great basketball coaches. What made Jacobson such a great coach to play for?
Rhodes- Coach Jake is an amazing leader. Every single time he spoke every single person in the gym had 100% focus on him. Also, the relationships he builds with players builds a huge amount of trust. A great coach, but an even better person outside of basketball.
Massey- Your experiences playing for those two great coaches certainly has prepared you so well to be a skills coach. As a skills coach, you are working with a lot of high school players who dream of becoming college players. What did you learn as a college player that you try to incorporate in your training of high players now?
Rhodes- The main focus is the attention to detail. My skill sessions are very detailed and I break skills down a lot so athletes need to have extreme focus. Becoming a college player at any level you understand that the little details mean the most. On top of the mental side of the game I focus a ton on footwork. The game starts from the feet up and being able to be more efficient with your footwork will allow you to have a lot more success at any position.
Massey- I am so impressed when I watched you do training sessions with the Galesburg Varsity. Your attention to detail and your ability to break skills down into simple drills was great. I have watched many trainers, but I do think what separates you is that you are one of the best "teachers" that I have seen.
Just to give players and parents an idea, what are 3-4 skills that you try to work with high school players to elevate their games?
Rhodes- My training philosophy centers around footwork, rhythm, and body/ball connection. I believe footwork is the foundation in which an athlete can maximize an overall skillset. This will allow athletes to maximize every part of their game on both the offensive and defensive end. Everything stems from the bottom up in the game of basketball and mastering footwork will separate athletes tremendously. Rhythm in basketball is crucial and allows players to maintain consistency in their movements, shots, and overall basketball performance. Having a rhythm or flow for the game helps a player have better offensive execution and defensive movements. Often you see people talk about “poetry in motion” when it comes to basketball. This means a player has unbelievable rhythm and timing of the game. Basketball is a “rhythm” game and when a player has this skill their game will elevate to the next level. The body-ball connection in basketball is vital because it allows players to effectively control the ball while executing various skills such as dribbling, passing, and shooting. By maintaining proper body positioning and using their hands and feet in coordination with the ball, players can enhance their ball-handling skills, improve their ability to protect the ball from defenders, and execute precise passes and shots. Essentially, the body-ball connection maximizes a player's control and manipulation of the ball, which is essential for success in the game.
Massey- This is going to sound stupid but when I was in high school in the 1960's, I got a workbook entitled something like "Garage Door Basketball." It was workbook with really simple drills and place to chart shooting. For me it really helped to have some drills written out to do, it was like a coach giving me a practice plan.
I am blown away by "The Academy," your app for players. It has drills grouped into different skills- ball handling, finishing, footwork, shooting. It has instruction, explanations, demonstrations of each drill. Plus it gives the players the ability to be interactive with you and ask questions. It is literally like having a personal coach as a player. Can you give people a brief description of what you have to offer in the app?
Rhodes- In my Online Training Academy I have several things. I have 15+ courses covering every aspect of the game with lots of drills in each course. I have a forty five day program that’s guided with what to do for skills and weight lifting. The academy is updated weekly and is 24/7 access to me. With more courses being added as it continues to grow. The community is very interactive and allows players to “level up” and have some fun while getting better at the game. Also, it’s great for everyone! Players, coaches, and parents looking to get better or to help someone out. Everything on the app is crucial to the fundamentals of the game and will help anyone gain tons of knowledge.
Massey- I don't really see how a player who is serious about growing there game can do without the Online Training Academy. It is interesting that Coach Demott has the app herself and is using it as a coaching tool. If she feels in a summer games that the players look sloppy in a particular area, she can go on the app and drills designed to specifically address that area that needs improvement.
What ages will you work with? Explain how they can get info and contact you?
Rhodes- I work with ages 1st grade all the way through pro level players. You can contact me via phone, email, or find my social media sites. Instagram is @rhodesbasketballacademy and my Facebook is Hunter Rhodes.
Massey- When you were at Galesburg, you said to the players,”Cool doesn’t get you anywhere.” What is your thinking?
Rhodes- Being “cool” will not take you to the level you want to get to. You have to be DIFFERENT and outwork your friends/peers. Sometimes that may mean you don’t get to hangout with them or you have to miss a certain event. Trying to “fit in” and do what everyone else is doing will not take you to where you want to be. One thing I always tell my athletes I train, “Being average is easy, but being great is hard.”
Massey- The other quote I liked was something like,”The higher the level, the simpler it gets.” Can you explain that?
Rhodes- Each level I played at the game became more simple. In high school you are able to get away with a little more, then in junior college a little less, and eventually playing D1 even less. Athletes and players get better at each level you go to and understand that the basics and simple plays will allow you to be way more successful as you continue to grow as a player. Making a solid pass, hitting an open shot, or making one move and getting to the rim is what you need to do at the highest level to be successful. Keeping the game simple is the key to playing at a high level.
Massey- Hunter, thanks for being will to do this blog. I am so impressed with your energy and your work. If a player asked me for advice, I would recommend they do the following:
1- Contact Hunter Rhodes and work out a time and day that will work for you to go to either individual or group sessions once a week the rest of the summer and during the fall.
2- This summer after going for your workout- 3-4 days a week repeat the workout you just had for 30-40 minutes.
3- Buy his app, and use it to interact with Hunter and to build your workouts further.
4- Don't view this workout plan as a replacement for your shooting workouts. You should be making 10k shots this summer.
Players need to realize the "window of opportunity" to reach your goals is not unlimited. Whether the goal is to make a team next year, to become a starter, or to become all-conference-- don't waste an opportunity like this- get started this summer!!
This is impressive- Hunter is willing to respond to coaches and players. Today he added two new categories- both great additions for the coaches!
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