About Demetri

Why I Started Basketball Mindset Training

The moment that really set everything into motion was during my freshman year of high school. It was the second day of tryouts and I was going to find out whether I made the basketball team or not. I went into school that day thinking that it was a lock that I would make the team.

But, spoiler, I didn't. Not making the team turned my world upside down. I was shocked and devastated to say the least. I started to question myself. "Am I not a good basketball player? I thought I was, but I guess not. Good basketball players make the freshman team at the very least."

I ended up playing for my church team for all 4 years of high school, not even trying out again once for the school team -- because I maintained the belief that I wasn't good enough. During the tail-end of my senior year though, something changed. A fire was lit inside me.

I grew up a die-hard Kobe fan and I would stay up late on the east coast to watch him play. I didn't miss a game. Or a post-game interview. Hearing Kobe speak, hearing his mindset and seeing his work ethic and relentless pursuit of greatness inspired me. All of a sudden, I wanted to get in the gym and work on my game just like Kobe.

Too late to try out for my high school team, but not too late to prove to myself that I could be a great basketball player. From that day on, I've been on a never-ending quest to get better at basketball.

After college, I moved to Los Angeles to get a job in the film industry. After a few months at my first job, I started to miss being in the gym everyday. It became obvious to me, why the heck do I not have a job involving basketball. So I quit my film job and became a coach and skills trainer.

Meanwhile off the court, I was struggling with depression and anxiety after my Dad passed away. I decided to go see a therapist and that's where I was introduced to meditation. After months of meditating everyday, I felt like myself again.

But I also noticed something different. I was a way better basketball player than I was before. I was more confident, more consistent, more calm and poised under pressure, more locked in, less fearful. And that's when I realized whoa, this mental stuff can unlock a whole new level of performance.

From there, I went down a rabbit-hole of reading book after book about the mental side of sports performance and my success on the court grew and grew the more I read. And then it hit me, THIS is what I'm meant to teach. THIS is what I should be helping other basketball players get better at. Their mindset. Their mental game.

Everything I went through -- getting cut, the anxiety, the depression -- it all led me right here. It wasn't how I ever imagined things would go. But it's what led to the creation of Basketball Mindset Training. And for that, I am grateful.

My goal now is to pass along everything I've learned about the mental side of basketball. From my own experiences and everything I've read, to what I've learned from Kobe and other pro players, my goal is to help basketball players evolve into the best version of themselves.

Thanks for checking out the site! I hope it helps you get better in some way.

- D