The state of Arizona continues to have a major need for good basketball training for it's basketball talent. With more than 6.5 million people living in the state, Arizona has yet to reach the level of basketball of many other states across the country. While the 2014 junior class of prospects in the state looks to be the most talented class of prospects ever in the state, with the top 10 prospects in the class currently receiving high-major division-I interest, the state still lacks the depth of talent many other states have.
In 2010, the state of Florida posted 87 different division-I signees in the sport of basketball, while the state of Arizona posted 20 different division-I signees - a record year for the state, but still way off the numbers of other states. With so many people currently living in Arizona, and with thousands more moving here every year, the state is destined to have much more basketball talent develop over time - but not without the help of some serious training and development.
With many basketball trainers currently popping up around the valley and beginning to raise the level of basketball being played in the state, one trainer that has made his case as one of the best developers of talent is Gino Crump. A native of Washington, D.C., Crump moved to the state of Arizona in the summer of 2008 and has not looked back - developing many of the state's top basketball prospects along the way.
While many may not have heard the name or worked with him, Crump has developed such players as Royce Woolridge (University of Kansas/Washington State), Givon Crump (Baylor/Cal State Fullerton), Sai Tummala (University of Michigan), Blake Nash (South Florida/Texas Tech), Byron Fulton (Weber State) and Oliver Lewinson (Duquesne), just to name a few.
Most recently, Crump is credited with the rapid development of Westview High School's 6-foot-8 rising junior forward Andre Adams. While Adams was a reserve on last year's Westview HS team, Crump began working with Adams in the spring of 2012 - just before the start to the spring club season. Adams was a complete unknown prospect, even within the state of Arizona, before the start to the spring evaluation period. By the end of the summer, Adams had developed into the #1 rated power forward prospect on the West Coast by Scouthoops.com. Last week, Adams checked in as the #58 rated overall prospect in America's 2014 class - an amazing rise by a player that was an unknown prospect heading into the spring.
Crump's training techniques are described by many that know him as "putting players in the factory," as Crump works hard with players on their footwork, ball-handling and shooting - developing players of all sizes to be a threat on the floor.
"There is no reason that this state doesn't have more basketball talent," said Crump. "Where I come from everyone is in the gym everyday. To be a player you have to work. There are no shortcuts."
Crump spent many years earlier in his life developing college players for the NBA Draft for NBA agents, so he knows he commitment level and the skill level needed to play at the collegiate level and much higher.
"There are so many guys in Arizona that claim to be trainers, but their players aren't getting any better," said Crump. "I provide results."
This year, Crump will take on a major challenge, as he has been hired as the head coach of Westwind Prep Academy's high school program - a team that will compete under the AIA rules and play against the state's top Division-I programs.
"We are rebuilding the program, so it is a work in progress," said Crump. "It will take some time to develop, but we will get there."
Crump advised me that while the reputation of the program has taken a hit with poor rumors and negative reporting, the desire of his team is simply to develop the players that he has at the school.
"I don't try to recruit any players to Westwind - I am making the best with what I have," said Crump.
Crump went on to say, "If you train with me, I will teach you how to put the ball in the hoop - money-back guarantee."
To contact Gino Crump for individual training or workouts, please call him at (202) 409-9994.
