We are launching the Basics Hall of Fame as we approach our 20th anniversary! Check in as the inductees are added!!
Many of these athletes, coaches and programs can be seen in their Basics infancy on our Blast from the Past camera roll
Hall of Fame
Since 2006, Basics has been a hallmark of consistency and achievement. The individuls, teams and organizations you see here did not lobby for this recognition. It wasn’t even on their radar. But what was (and always IS) a Basics goal was excellence. Excellence not just measured by awards, accolades and records but also seen in their modelling, mentoring and love for their players, teammates and organization.
Basics turns 20 in June 2026. We believe this longevity is rooted in the 3 pillars of our approach (aka-The 3 Legged Stool)
- Technical excellence in Skills
- An emphasis on physical conditioning
- Developing mental toughness (The Basics Mindset)









Bobby Field - UCLA
One of Coach Wooden's best friends
Pictured with Coach Wooden and Bob’s wife, Valorie Field, Hall of Fame gymnastics coach at UCLA.
Coach McGannon comment – “I reached out to Coach Wooden multiple times after Basics founding in 2006, my only goal being to inform Coach our organization, Basics, was founded on the principles he taught his whole career. In a nutshell, our focus is as much on the development of your son or daughter OFF the court as it is on. I never heard from Coach Wooden who died at age 99 in 2010.
Days after his passing, Bobby called. Bobby was one of Coach Wooden’s best friends and his wife Valorie was also very close to Coach. Wooden was aware of Basics but at age 95, he was in declining health. Bobby took up the communication and ever since, I have communicated with him multiple times a year. Can you imagine Basics has this resource??!! If we ever want to know what the greatest coach of all time would think about ANY issue, within minutes we know! Remarkable! And blessed. We are thrilled to place Bobby and Valorie in Basics Hall of Fame!!

Abby Cole
Grand Haven HS and the U of M
Abby came to Basics as a 6th-7th grader in 2007 right after Basics founding in 2006. Tall and lanky, she was clearly well coordinated for a kid her size. Over the course of the next 3 years, she attended Basics over 100 X and by her freshman year at Grand Haven, she moved straight up to varsity.
Coach McGannon comments – “I have said this for years. If Basics gets a hold of the more athletic players at younger ages, they invariably will be among the best (or THE BEST) players in a few short years. They actuially have NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER!! Habits are realy REALLY powerful and Basics builds these competitive habits universally, through repetition, hard work and of course MORE repetition. Abby is a perfect example. With Basics she developed WIDTH, emphasized her already considerable LENGTH, developed proper shooting form, outstanding condition, how to block shots without fouling and of course mental toughness. RESULTS: 2 consecutive Class A state championships and the 2013 AP Michigan High School Player of the Year, followed by a stellar career at the University of Michigan where she played 2 sports: basketball and volleyball.

Coach Alex Kirk
Dartmouth College Women's Golf coach
Coach Kirk brought the Basics Mindset to Hanover and 1 year later, the women’s golf team won their first ever Ivy League title. “In large measure, I attribute our championship run to the Mindset. Our players were talented but easily distracted by poor play, or bad breaks. The Mindset flipped a switch. The players were more patient, more tolerant, better prepared. The bottom line was this – they lowered their scores and played better.”
Click on photo below to hear Coach Kirk narrate the Ivy League championship video.

Evan Bruinsma
WMC and U. of Detroit
Evan won 3 consecutive state titles at Western Michigan Christian (2008-2010) before a stellar career at the U of Detroit, where he teamed up with future NBA All Star Ray McCollum. At 6’8″ and 220 lbs, Evan could do anything – dribble, pass, shoot, defend, rebound, block shots, run. This all round game led to a terrific professional career in Europe.
Evan was the 2010 AP Michigan High School Player of the Year.
“Coach – Basics was key in my development as a basketball player. No organization teaches the skills as well or as precisely. As I got bigger, it was obvious my ball handling and ball control skills were way better than most kids. Thank you so much for helping. me improve.”
Pictured with another inductee, Spencer Krannitz who was the all time leading scorer in West Michigan HS Boys history until Bradley Richards took that title away in 2025. Evan wins the Basics Dunk Contest with this tomahawk slam!

Bradley Richards
Cornerstone University
Bradley Richards may be the best all around athlete to ever come through Basics. Seen above winning the state high jump championship at 6’10”, Bradley is also the all time leading scorer in West Michigan HS Boys history (passing Spencer Krannitz, another Basics graduate). Bradley’s 3 sisters (Taylor, Allie and Kelsey) are all inductees, as is the Diesal, their dad, Brad Richards. Bradley will high jump AND play basketvball at Cornerstone University.
His sisters were pretty good too! (Taylor, Kelsey, Allie)

Steve Erny
Fruitport HS Coach and former player
Many people know Steve as one of the finest young coaches in the area and state. He has taken a Trojan program from 0 wins and 2 wins just a few years ago to a 17 win team in 2024-25. As a Fruitport HS player himself (Class of 2005), Steve was the Trojan’s best player. At 6’4″, he was BOTH the best post player and the best ball handler. He made a running shot GOING LEFT (he is right handed) in the district semis as time expired to beat Allendale, advancing to Fruitport’s first district finals in over a decade. Steve was a 3 sport star in high school, playing for his dad Ken on the Trojan soccer team and also as Team Captain in tennis. Steve went on to a stellar tennis career in college at Taylor University.

Dr Robert F. and Rita W. McGannon
Coach's parents and his first coaches
It is difficult to describe the impact my parents had on me. It’s a bit like Basics – hard to describe. Many people still don’t understand our model (Skill development before competition) but that’s OK. In the early years it bothered me becasue I saw so many kids with talent and athleticism who had no chance because basketball is the most skilled game of all. I recalled my parents patience and grit in the face of ANYTHING – they never wavered. “Have you done your best?” they would ask me. And if I had they would say “Good. That’s all you can do. We love you.”
My father graduated from Columbia University undergad and dental school. He fought in WW II as a lietenant in the Marines, and was at Gudacanal. He set up dental practices in Greenwich, CT and NYC and became the team dentist for the New York Giants for 22 years. My mother was from Rochester, Minn (my parents met at the Mayo Clinic), her midwestern sensibilities are ingrained in my DNA. She and Dad had 10 children, I am 9th in line. 5 sisters and 4 brothers. Good balance!
They were amazing people. Some of their admonitions: “Aim high”. “Question authority”. “Never let anyone see you sweat.” “Courtesy and politeness are a small price to pay for the goodwill and affection of others.” (Wooden paraphrase)
I miss my parents, I think of them everyday.

Coach Bob Sylvester
Fairfield (CT) Prep School
Coach Sylvester is begging Coach McGannon in this photo to “PLEASE REBOUND THE BALL!!”
Coach Sylvester was my high school coach at Fairfiled Prep in Connecticut, an all boys prep school about 50 miles north of New York City. It was a disciplined, achievement-oriented and competitive school both in the classrom and on the fields-courts.
Among many things, Coach taught me discipline, hard work, perseverance, school first, and patience with others. He had a relentless work ethic, he was ALWAYS READY for practice. His emphasis on sharp skills and the best conditioning are the roots of those attributes in Basics training.
I have no doubt I would not have been recruited nor played at Dartmouth had it not been for Coach’s emphasis on skills, condition and mental toughness.
Wally Halas (George Halas relative) induction for Coach Sylvester into the Prep Hall of Fame.
One of many Coach Sylvester stories: as much size and skill and motivation as I had, I could not jump. I mean not at all! It was embarrasing. I could not dunk the ball until I was 20 years old (and 6’9″ at that point). My opponents gave me a hard time, my team mates an even harder time (although good natured ribbing has its place) Sylvester knew this bothered me. One day he came up to me and said
“Why would you let something you can not do bother you?” Then his genuius really shone through with this 3 word admonition:
“Do something else.”
He implored to work on this weakness but not let it overwhlem me, and the “something else” noted above became the quest to be the best ball handling big man in New England. That was achievable, had nothing to do jumping ability and I could work my way toward that goal, which in many respects I achieved. This was at a time when big men just did not handle the ball much, so it tuned into an incredible advantage for me and more or less led to my D1 career.
“Never let what you can not do affect what you can do.’ John Wooden
Thank you Coach Sylvester!

Coach Gary Walters
Dartmouth and Princeton
I was a 6’7″ All State post player who could dribble, pass and shoot. Big men were not terribly mobile when I played, so these attributes (fostered by Coach Bob Sylvester at Fairfield Prep, another inductee) caught the eye of many schools, including Dartmouth. Walters came to watch me play twice, met my parents, it was all very exciting. One of the happiest days of my career was that acceptance letter from Dartmouth. I could not wait to get to Hanover, I felt I was positioned to do really well with my skill set.
In a cautionary tale for Basics parents, I quickly learned I knew next to NOTHING in terms of skill and condition. High school compared to college is a bit like addition and subtraction compared to physics.
Walters (pictured below on the cover of Sports Illustrated) was a great player himself, spearheading Princeton’s run to the Final 4 alongside future Hall of Fame player (and New York Knick star) Bill Bradley. His coach at Princeton was Butch Van Breda Koff, regarded as one of the finest fundamental coaches of all time.
I was blessed to have Coach Walters as my college coach. Basics training is in many respects a simple reflection of his skill and stewardship. Thank you Coach!

Ken Erny
Athletic Director and a driving force in Basics founding
Ken Erny was the long gtime athletic director at Fruitport HS, the father of Steve Erny (also inducted) and Coach McGannon’s best friend here in Michigan. In many respects, Ken is responsible for Basics even being an organization. In 2002, at the depth of the economy’s fall in Michigan, Coach McGannon had lost his job and was struggling to stay afloat with 3 small children, a big mortgage and basically no job prospects. His idea to offer basketball training based on the game’s fundamental skills BEFORE competition was the beginning of Basics. In looking for gym time, it was no after no after no after no. Ken said yes and that break was the beginning of Basics. 4 years later (2006), Basics was a full time endeavor.
Ken was my best friend. We connected for breakast almost weekly. We shared many things in common, among them a deep reverence for Coach Wooden and his philosophy or helping ALL players develop fully both ON and OFF the court. When Ken was diagnosed with ALS, we had just begun a series of podcasts based on Coach Wooden. In Ken’s honor and memory (he died in 2023), they are copied below.
I think of Ken often and miss him dearly.
Podcasts with Ken Erny
- If you think you are through learning, you are through
- Two sets of 3; Wooden’s Father’s wisdom
- Never mistake activity for achievement
- Young people need models not critics

Georgia - Basics Wonder Dog
This puppy and beautiful little girl are not in the Hall of Fame for any reason other than they represent what youth sports should be all about – fun, engagement and a true love for what you are doing.
Parents are preached to everyday. Do this, do that, get on this team, you have to do this in order to play etc etc etc. It is mind numbing white noise.
You are dutiful, hard working , loving parents who want what is best for your children. Deep down, you know what is best. Conflicts arise for many reasons, most having to do with preconceived notions of what OTHERS think or say.
Basics is an advocate for children and young athletes. We have no affiliation with any school, we only want what is best for each individual player-kid. The key is what is best for each individual player is DIFFERENT based on their skill, commitment, engagement, resources.
What Georgia the Wonder Dog is doing is at the root of Basics success and longevity – unadulterated love.
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Pyramid of Skills
Like much of our approach, the Pyramid of Skill is based on Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. I also credit Coach Steve Erny who spent countless hours with me composing Basics pyramid. Please note only 3 blocks that are actual physical – Shootinbg, Ball Handling and Footwork. The other 7 are in many respecst BETWEEN THE EARS. Parents and youth coaches – focus on gthe bottom of the Pyramid and onlhy work your way up to Competition if there is some sembalnce of ability with the blocks below. Pyramid of Skill Video

Sophia Wiard (right)
Oakridge HS and U of Toledo
Sophia Wiard was an all state player at Oakridge HS, a Miss Basketball candidtae and then enjoyed a stellar career at the Univdersity of Toledo that included:
- The 2024 MAC Player of the Year
- Scored over 1500 points, 600 boards and 600 assists
- Played in the Big Dance beating Iowa State in the 1st round
- Beat U of M her junior and senior years
- Inducted into the Toledo Hall of Fame
- Torches Kent State for a career high 40 points here.
In addition to these impressive stats, her biggest strength is her patience and caring for the young Basics players she works with. It is very common for great players to NOT BE great teachers. These players are often impatient and many just want to play. At Basics, we prefer to WIN. There is a BIG DIFFERENCE and Sophia gets it. It is a joy to watch her train these youngsters, some of whom are the best players in West Michigan and others are learning to tie their shoes!
“Working at Basics has been an amazing journey. What started as a summer job has now become a full-time passion and career in coaching and training. The Basics model is exactly what helps elevate players from good to great. Skill work is the foundation of success—and at Basics, we believe in that wholeheartedly. The results speak for themselves through the growth and achievements of so many of our players.”
We are thrilled to include Sophia Wiard in Basics Hall of Fame!

Anne-Marie Shumaker
GHHS and Aquinas College
Anne-Marie was the 1st Basics graduate to return as coach and what a great coach she is! The Aquinas College coach said she was “the most fundamentally sound freshman” she had ever coached. AMS had a terrific career at Grand Haven, hitting LAST SECOND SHOTS 2 years in a row to win the district championship. In many respects, her Grand Haven class of 2008 was the springboard for Grand Haven’s future back-to-back Class A state championship teams in 2012 and 2013. (anchored by another Basics graduate and fellow HOF inductee Abby Cole)

Aaron Gregory
Olivet College and Fruitport HS
Coach Aaron is one of the finest athletes I have ever known. He is basically very good at every sport! It really bothers me I can not touch him in ping pong! For parents interested in teaching their children how to shoot a basketball, Aaron has a technically pure stroke. Get in front of him as soon as you can.
His awards as a tennis player are impressive – 2-Time All-State in HS, 3 time NCCAA All-American, Top 20 Doubles Ranking in the NAIA. NAIA Champion of Character Award Winner in 2006.
That last award – character – is important. Aaron brings with him not just a wealth of skill and coaching excellence, he is a terrific model and mentor for the young players in front of him. He is patient and hard working. He is fair but firm. Congratulations Coach Gregory! You deserve this recognition.

Nathan Batts
Davenport and Spring Lake HS
Following in a long line of former Basics players who go on to coach with us, Nathan Batts is well known to many of our families and players. His physical attributes are obvious: powerful, agile, quick, athletic, tough, fearless. I have said this many times – the BEST PLAYERS in the area should get in front of Nathan and if they can hang with him even just a little bit, they will likely destroy their opponents.
Nathan was all area in both basketball and football and had a strong football career at Davenport University.
Beyond his athleticism lie traits all great coaches should possess – patience, a tireless work ethic and a willingness to go the extra mile to help any player.
The Batts family lived very close to Coach McGannon. Nathan’s brothers were good friends with my son Henry. Nathan was over at the house and on the court constantly as a child. In many respects he is another son of mine! It is a pleasure and an honor to induct Nathan into the Basics Hall of Fame!

The Outdoor Court in SL
Yes a physical court makes the HOF!
When Basics went full time in 2006, I had no court, no facility and not many people expecting this endeavor to work. Including my friends! What I did have was this exquisite outdoor court in Spring Lake with 4 glass backboards and a terrific outdoor surface known as Sport Court. I timed my departure from my full time job to coincide with summer camps at this court, which have been running ever since.
The memories are too numerous to list, both with my own children and then the 1000’s of Michigan kids who have learned this great game on this court.
In some odd twist of fate, I was never busier than during the pandemic, when outdoor activities were OK.
Basics still runs outdoor camps and many private sessions on this court, but with our own gym now just a few minutes away in Ferrysburg, they are far fewer. Here is the summer camps page, GRAB AN OUTDOOR CAMP! It is a unique setting ready made for skill development coupled with a celebration of West Michigan’s beauty.

Cyndi Blair
Founder - No More Sidelines
No More Sidelines was founded in 2005, and Coach McGannon joined the board in 2011. The organization says YES to special needs kids, be it with athletics, a trip to the symphony, salmon fishing on Lake Michigan or being the driving force in unforgettable Penguin project plays at the Fraulenthal.
Cyndi is the founder and executive director. From 1 kid – her daughter Alivia with cerebral palsy – the organization has grown to over 300 on the Lakeshore with an even larger chapter now in Ionia.
For the majority population of children, the opportunity to engage with other children with special needs increases their understanding and tolerance for the many differences in people, stretches their ability to empathize with those who are not as strong, and grows their hearts.
We HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to get involved, donate, participate and most importantly, look these kids in the eye and tell them “you belong.”
Congratulations Cyndi, pictured above with her daughters Courtney and Alivia!

2013 Basics HS Boys Team
13 players went on to play in college
Alongside Coach Mike Pederson and Evan Bruinsma, this team generated more college players than any team we’ve ever compiled. 13 of the 22 players went on to play at the next level. Coach McGannon comment: “We had size, speed, strength, athleticism, shooting, shot blocking, intelligence, toughness, everything. Yet I want the parents to know that these players ALL IMPROVED because we never changed the model because of these attributes. We stuck to the Basics script, which we always do. Foot skills. Hand skills. Vision skills. Conditioning. Mental toughness. This is why so many of these kids went on to play in college”
Side note: Against my better judgement, I was convinced by the players and parents alike to go to Detroit to play in some high level AAU event. We went 7-1 and won the event going away. It was the single WORST experience for me with Basics and a primary reason why I will never travel again. Read the full story here.
RELATED: Basics Video on Travel Ball
Roster:
Coaches: Jim McGannon, Evan Bruinsma, Mike Pederson
Players:
Ambrose | Kody | Mason C |
Bandstra | Cam | Ludington |
Bandstra | Josiah | Ludington |
Benton | Jalen | RP |
DelaRosa | Brandon | Whitehall |
Demetriou | Dimitris | Shores |
Fairfield | Riley | NM |
French | Jamel | Shores |
Gillman | Derek | Ken. Hills |
Kelly | Sean | Mason C |
Kingma | Kyle | WMC |
Koella | Ross | GH |
Medendorp | Dylan | Whitehall |
Olson | Joey | RP |
Pederson | Bryce | GH |
Rayner | Adam | Shores |
Rohrer | Chase | Ludington |
Rohrer | Remi | Ludington |
Warren | Mike | SL |
Williams | Logan | Shores |
Wysocki | Alex | Coop |
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