Girl’s Advanced Tavaras Hardy Conceptual Basketball Clinic Development

• NCAA Division 1 head coach at Loyola University Maryland from 2018-2024
  • 2021 Patriot League Championship Runner Up
  • Recruited and coached two NBA Draft picks at Loyola (Santi Adama 1st Round; Cam Spencer 2nd Round)
• Spent 12 years as an assistant/associate head coach in the Big Ten, Big East and ACC
  • Georgia Tech – 2017 squad made it to the NIT Championship game at Madison Square Garden. HelpedCoach Josh Pastner earn ACC Coach of the Year
  • Georgetown University – 2nd in the Big East in 2015; squad made it to the 3rd round of the NCAA tournament
  • Northwestern University – 4 straight post season appearances from 2008-2012; only time in school history
• Played professional basketball in Europe before accepting a job in Chicago at JPMorgan Chase & Co; Coached AAU while working in banking
• 2002 graduate of Northwestern University; four-year starter, two-time All-Big Ten selection and three-time MVP of the men’s basketball program

“I’m excited to partner with the JCC to offer a unique basketball development experience to the greater Baltimore community. Skill development is the foundation for basketball players of all ages and abilities. From elementary school all the way to the pros… However, cones do not move. As the game continues to evolve, understanding core concepts and how to use those skills in competitive situations is critically important.”

Why this, why now?
It has now been one full year since I’ve stepped away from college coaching. Focusing on my family was my number one priority during this hiatus. However, I also utilized this time to engage in areas I’ve never been able to venture. For example, I was an assistant commissioner with the 2024 NCAA College Basketball Academy for high school boys; I called games on the SEC Network, Big Ten Network and ESPN+; I helped coach St. Timothy’s high school girls basketball squad to an A conference semi-final run; I volunteered with my son’s recreation team.

With four kids ranging from ages 7-17, I had a unique opportunity to immerse myself in the Baltimore sports community as a parent, coach and fan. I noticed we have a lot of good trainers working with our youth on specific skills, we have many teams that compete on a weekly basis, and we have some open gym time where players can hone their skills in an unstructured way. All the above are great ways to improve at the game of basketball. However, before I fully commit to the next phase of my career journey, I would like to present a different type of development opportunity to the Baltimore basketball community. One that will combine basic skill training with college-style conceptual teaching. We will structure our approach to meet every participant where they are in terms of age, ability and personality.