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Last month, I was working with Ben. His challenge? Moving without the ball. He’d get stuck after setting a screen and struggled to generate a shot off a single dribble. He always needed that extra dribble to find his rhythm. Fast forward to last week — he figured it out. Turns out, his strength lies in driving off his left hand even though he shoots right-handed. That realization alone changed his approach to attacking off screens. Small adjustments, big impact.

Then there’s Tim, a former virtual coaching client now playing pro ball in Germany’s Regional League. Back when we started, I wasn’t the best at breaking down possessions. I’d give him “big picture” insights but not the finer details. Tim was relentless in asking me the tough questions:

• "Why set a screen for a screener?"
• "When do I know to cut backdoor?"

I didn’t have clear answers at the time. But working with him taught me that every player needs specificity, not just big ideas. That lesson changed me as a coach forever.

The Journey No One Sees

When I stopped playing professionally in 2004, I didn’t walk straight into being a player development specialist. I had to build from the ground up. At first, I worked with youth players (ages 10-14) to test out concepts. I’d take drills I saw at NCAA D1, D2, and even NBA practices — and watch them fall apart with youth players.

To be honest, I failed 80% of the time. The drills didn’t translate. I’d plan a session, and it wouldn’t work. So I had to rebuild, evolve, and simplify every single step. From 2005 to 2014, I tested over 1,000 drills — and only about 20% of them stuck. But those 20%? Game-changers.

I learned that high-level pro tactics don’t always fit youth players. I learned that teaching a 3x3 player isn't the same as teaching a 5-on-5 player. And I learned that patience is your greatest asset when working with players at any level.

Now, at Ubuntu Basketball, our training isn't "one-size-fits-all." It's tailored to the player. It's built to teach game play from pickup players, youth development, semi-pros, weekend-warriors to pros.

The Pivot Point

When I first started coaching, I thought my strength was in reading the game. I could see plays develop two moves ahead. I knew how defenders would rotate before they moved. I knew how to spot an open passing lane before it opened. But after years of working with players, I realized my true calling wasn't in reading plays...

It was in teaching shooting mechanics.

Shooting is one of the most overcomplicated, misunderstood skills in basketball. And I used to miss the details. I would focus on what looked right, but I wouldn’t catch the tiny things that make shooters great:

• Is their balance off?
• Is their release too slow?
• Do they shoot too high, too low, or too late?

Over time, I trained my eye to spot these details. I had mentors — great shooters — who showed me the power of small adjustments. Not just in Turkey, but also in the U.S. and across international competitions. I sat at practices, watched games, and learned from them in conversations.

Now, it’s one of my superpowers. I help players break down their shot, not just their form. Balance, timing, footwork, and release. All four elements have to connect. And that’s what I teach in every Ubuntu session.

Takeaway

If you do what you love, you’ll never stop growing. But if you lean on “talent” alone, it’s only a matter of time before it runs out. Hard work beats talent when talent stops working. That’s what I learned in my own journey.

So to every player, coach, or parent reading this:

• Be curious.
• Be coachable.
• Don’t think you have all the answers.

Because if I had all the answers, I wouldn’t have failed 80% of my drills when I started this journey.

How You Can Work With Me

If you're serious about development, here's how you can connect with me and Ubuntu Basketball:

✅ Struggling with anything? Reach out to me directly. Let’s talk.

✅ Join a Small Group Session with Ubuntu Basketball. These sessions are the fastest way to grow and get 1-on-1 attention.

✅ Join our Ubuntu Basketball February Camp (18-20 Feb. 2025). We’ll be focusing on the "Constraint-Led Approach" to teaching the game.

👉 Reply to this email or click here to learn more.

1, 2, 3...Unity!

— Ermay Duran

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Afgelopen maand werkte ik met Ben. Zijn uitdaging? Bewegen zonder de bal. Na het zetten van een screen kwam hij vaak vast te zitten. Hij had altijd die extra dribbel nodig om in zijn ritme te komen. Maar vorige week? Hij heeft het doorbroken. Wat bleek? Zijn sterkte ligt in dribbelen met zijn linkerhand, ook al is hij een rechtshandige schutter. Kleine aanpassingen, groot verschil.

Dan is er Tim, een voormalige virtuele coachingklant die nu professioneel speelt in de Duitse Regionale Liga. Toen we begonnen, was ik niet goed in het analyseren van acties. Ik gaf hem “grote inzichten” maar geen details. Tim was meedogenloos met zijn vragen:

• "Waarom zou je een screen voor een screener zetten?"
• "Wanneer weet ik dat ik een backdoor-cut moet maken?"

Door Tim leerde ik dat spelers behoefte hebben aan precisie, niet alleen aan het 'grote plaatje'. Die les heeft me voor altijd veranderd als coach.

De Reis Die Niemand Ziet

Toen ik in 2004 stopte met professioneel spelen, werd ik niet meteen specialist in player development. Ik moest van de grond af opbouwen. Ik begon met jeugdspelers (10-14 jaar) om concepten te testen.

Om eerlijk te zijn, faalde ik 80% van de tijd. De oefeningen werkten niet. De plannen vielen uit elkaar. Tussen 2005 en 2014 testte ik meer dan 1.000 drills — en slechts 20% bleef hangen. Maar die 20%? Game-changers.

Keerpunt

Mijn kracht was altijd het lezen van het spel. Ik kon zien hoe verdedigers zouden reageren voordat ze bewogen. Maar na jaren van werken met spelers, realiseerde ik me dat mijn ware roeping was...

Schietmechanica.

Ik leerde details te spotten:

• Balans.
• Release.
• Timing.
• Voetwerk.

Nu, bij Ubuntu, leer ik spelers hoe ze hun schot kunnen analyseren en verbeteren, niet alleen hoe het eruit ziet. Het is geen toeval dat onze spelers betere schutters worden.

Les

Als je doet waar je van houdt, groei je altijd. Als je vertrouwt op "talent", dan is dat tijdelijk. Hard werken verslaat talent wanneer talent stopt met werken.

Mijn advies aan spelers, coaches en ouders:

• Wees nieuwsgierig.
• Wees coachbaar.
• Denk niet dat je alle antwoorden hebt.

Kom in Contact met Mij

✅ Heb je ergens moeite mee? Stuur me een bericht.

✅ Doe mee met een Small Group-sessie van Ubuntu Basketball.

✅ Schrijf je in voor ons Ubuntu Basketball February Camp (18-20 feb. 2025).

👉 Reageer op deze e-mail of klik hier voor meer info.

1, 2, 3...Unity!

Ermay Duran

Ubuntu Basketball