Galen Harkness • July 8, 2025
Coaching vs. Recruiting: What Are We Really Doing for Players?
Let me just say this—I love basketball.
It’s been my favorite game since I was a kid. The bounce of the ball, the squeak of shoes, the swish of the net or the ring of a chain-link hoop. Nothing beats it.
That love is what EYG was built on.
My second love? Real player development.
This passion for player development started while at Kansas State University and has continued for the last 20+ years.
Not just running drills. I’m talking about working with players to build their strengths, challenge their weaknesses, and stretch beyond where they are today. Each player has their own story. Their own goals. Every workout should be a stepping stone—toward personal greatness or toward helping a team reach its peak.
Hard work.
Sweat.
Setbacks.
Breakthroughs.
Soreness.
Joy.
It’s all part of the process.
But honestly, I don’t think that’s what today’s game is about anymore. Probably has not been this way for awhile, but I'm a bit naive or a basketball purest.
At the youth and high school levels—club too—coaching seems more focused on recruiting talent than actually developing it. I get it. Talent wins games. Coaches want to win. Parents want their kids on winning teams.
But here’s the question:
Are players actually getting better?
Are they learning new skills? Being challenged? Given chances to grow in different roles? Or are they being boxed into whatever helps the team win now—and left there?
I wish more of the game was focused on real development.
Team practice.
Skills training.
Basketball IQ.
Strength and conditioning.
Mental toughness.
Real teaching.
I believe that if players consistently invested in those areas—and coaches committed to teaching and improving their communication and leadership—the rest would follow.
But let’s be honest. Teaching the game is hard. It takes time, study, and effort. Recruiting talent is hard too, but lends itself to quicker results. Sometimes.
Not all situations are the same and sometimes more teaching is important and others more recruiting is necessary.
There has to be a balance. Right?
Still, the best coaches I know?
They’re teachers.
They’re motivators.
They’re hope dealers.
They care. They challenge. They communicate.
They improve during their time as coaches.
Not just to win—but to grow players.
At EYG, we’re committed to coaching, not just collecting talent. We work with the players who show up and help them improve:
From getting cut to making the team
From the bench to the starting five
From overlooked to essential
From JV to varsity
From inconsistent to confident
From dreams of college to real opportunity
Not every player wants to be challenged.
Not every coach wants to teach.
But when it all aligns—player, coach, and purpose—the results are powerful.
We always tell players: Get in the gym and get better.
But coaches? We’ve got to get in the classroom—or the film room—and keep growing too.
I’m not the best recruiter.
But I and we at EYG, love teaching the game. And that’s what are going to keep doing.
Ready to Train? Here’s What’s Happening at EYG Basketball This July
If you're serious about improving your game, we’ve got a full lineup this month designed to help players build confidence, sharpen skills, and prepare for the next level:
🏀 July 7–9: Essential Skills Camp
Build your foundation—shooting, finishing, footwork, and confidence.
Grades 4–8 | 📍 Blue Sport Stable, Superior
🏀 July 14–16: Advanced Offensive Skills Academy
High-level 3-day event for experienced 6th–11th grade players.
Focus: shot creation, spacing, reads, and game-time confidence.
📍 Blue Sport Stable, Superior
🏀 July 14–18: Essential Skills at Northglenn Rec
Great for younger players just starting out.
Grades K–5 | 1:30–4:30 PM Daily
📍 Northglenn Rec Center
🔗 Register through Northglenn Rec
🏀 July 21–23: Longmont Essential Skills Camp
Foundational skills, high energy, and purposeful training.
📍 Ward Hardwood Hoops, Longmont
🏀 Every Monday & Wednesday in July: Committed Skills Academy
Focused group training for motivated middle and high school players.
Ball-handling, shooting, finishing, and decision-making.
📍 Blue Sport Stable, Superior
🏀 Ongoing: EYG Training Memberships
Year-round coaching, structure, and accountability for players who are all-in.
📩 Apply by emailing galen@eygbball.com
FALL 2025
🏀 EYG Essential Skills Program – Fall 2025 (Ages 8–12)
Structured, high-energy training for players who want to build the right foundation.
Focus: footwork, finishing, shooting form, defensive fundamentals, and court awareness.
📍 Impact Sports Performance Gym @ the Sport Stable (Superior, CO)
🗓 Tuesdays & Thursdays | Sep 2 – Oct 23
🕔 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (16 Total Sessions)
💰 $320 Early Bird → $400 after August 15
🎯 Designed for beginner to intermediate players in rec or club
This is not a babysitting program—it’s structured, high-integrity coaching for players ready to learn and improve.
🏀 Committed Skills Academy – Fall 2025 (Grades 6–12)
High-level, twice-weekly skill development for dedicated players ready to take the next step.
Focus: advanced skills, decision-making, basketball IQ, and game-time confidence.
📍 Impact Sports Performance Gym @ the Sport Stable (Superior, CO)
🗓 Mondays & Wednesdays | Sep 3 – Oct 29
⏰ Choose Your Time: 5:30–7:00 PM or 7:00–8:30 PM
💡 Small Groups (Max 12 per session)
💪 4, 8, or 16 sessions/month packages available
Perfect for serious middle and high school players who want consistent, focused development—not just another game schedule.
Few actually decide to do what it takes. Every Gym Has This Two types of players. You’ve seen it. You might even know which one you are. Side 1 — The Complainers They talk about: The refs Their playing time Missed shots Bad courts Coaches There’s always something. And to be fair… some of it is real. But none of it helps them get better. Side 2 — The Workers They’re different. They: Stay after Get extra shots Ask questions Listen to coaching Fix mistakes They don’t ignore problems. They attack them. Same Gym. Same Situation. Different results. That’s the part most players miss. You don’t need a better team. You don’t need a better coach. You don’t need perfect conditions. You need a better response. What This Looks Like Bad call? Complain… or sprint back. Missed shots? Blame it… or fix your feet and get reps tomorrow. Not playing much? Get frustrated… or earn trust in practice. Slippery court? Make excuses… or adjust and play stronger. Here’s The Truth Your future as a player is decided early. Not by talent. By how you respond. The Players Who Improve They walk into the gym already decided: “I’m going to figure this out.” So when things go wrong… They don’t look around. They go to work. The Players Who Stay The Same They walk in thinking: “This isn’t fair.” And every bad call… Every missed shot… Every tough moment… Just proves them right. That’s The Difference Same gym. Same opportunities. Different mindset. Different outcome. What We See At EYG The players who improve the most aren’t always the most talented. They’re the ones who: Take coaching Stay consistent Work when it’s hard Show up ready They pick the right side. Over and over again. The Question Next practice. Next game. Next workout. Which side are you on? Because that decision shows up in your results.
Every player compares. They compare stats. They compare teams. They compare offers. They compare playing time. They compare skill level. And most of the time… They compare at the worst possible moment. A player sees someone score 25. Another makes varsity early. Someone gets attention online. Someone gets recruited first. Suddenly it feels like you are behind. But here is the truth most players don’t want to hear. They are not ahead. They are just further along their path. Basketball development is not a race. It is a long process that compounds over time. Some players grow early. Some players grow later. Some players get opportunities early. Some players earn them through years of work. The scoreboard you see right now is only a snapshot. It does not predict who you will become. What actually determines your future is much simpler. Work. Skill is not given. Confidence is not given. Game performance is not given. They are built. Through training. Through repetition. Through failure. Through consistency. Through time. Too many players spend their energy watching others. The best players spend their energy building themselves. You cannot control another player’s timeline. You cannot control another player’s opportunity. But you can control: How often you train. How focused you are when you train. How you respond to mistakes. How consistent you stay. How long you are willing to commit to improvement. Most players want results. Few players are willing to live in the process long enough to earn them. Comparison steals joy. But more importantly, comparison steals focus. And when focus disappears, development stops. The players who improve the most are not always the most talented. They are the most consistent. They show up when others don’t. They work when others watch. They stay patient when others quit. So instead of asking: “Why are they ahead?” Ask: “What am I willing to do to improve?” Then go to work. If you are a player who is ready to train with purpose, EYG Basketball provides structured, focused training designed to help you improve the skills that matter most in real games. Learn more at: 👉 www.eygbball.com
Youth basketball players develop at different speeds. Learn why comparison slows growth and how focusing on your own development leads to long-term success.