Community Highlights: Meet Micah Ousley of Next 5 Basketball Academy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Micah Ousley.

Hi Micah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
At the young age of five, I fell in love with the game of basketball when I was given a small basketball and toy hoop. That passion for the game led me to playing recreational basketball at the age of ten, that eventually led to me playing organized school ball during my high school years. My parents supported my dream of wanting to play basketball and my desire to play was so intense that when I wasn’t in school playing basketball, I was attending every camp or clinic you could think of to cultivate my skills. Although my game improved, there was something that I seemed to be lacking but couldn’t quite figure it out at the time.

My dreams of playing basketball didn’t go the way I hoped but an opportunity came available that eventually changed the course of my life. One of my coaches from my high school years had given me the chance to work with kids in helping them develop their talents on the court. As I began working with these kids, I started to realize what I was missing when I played. It wasn’t so much of lacking skill but the mental aspect that is important for both on and off the court. My passion for playing was transformed into a passion to helping young men and women not just be prepared on the court but in life by focusing on developing not just their athletic talents but by preparing them mentally for life by incorporating basic life principles in their training. It is these principles that NEXT 5 BASKETBALL ACADEMY was established on and is represented in our philosophy of “More than basketball”.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I can’t say I believe that life ever deals out a smooth path when it comes to walking in your purpose personally or professionally. We all face a certain degree of obstacles along the way regardless of the road we take, but the road to success is the ability to never give up.

When we began the academy, we were not well known and did not have a facility to train out of. There was plenty of interest in the academy and players were ready to train but finding a facility was a challenge. Essentially, we had the demand and lacked the supply. To circumvent this roadblock, we offered our services by training clients outdoors. This allowed for the program to continue to make its name in the community and grow.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
NEXT 5 BASKETBALL ACADEMY is more than just basketball; our program purpose is rooted in developing young men and women on and off the court. We challenge our youth by getting them to think beyond basketball in order to discover who and what they want to become in life. At the academy, we educate through mentorship and life experiences as coaches, which establishes a positive bond with the youth and their parents. It is the intention of each coach to prepare our mentees for life by having them set athletic goals and personal goals. More importantly, we educate them about the basic principles of life; hard work, discipline, respect, overcoming obstacles and aligning yourself with the right people.

It has been a journey, one that I am thankful for. Since starting this business, I’ve seen young men and women lives transformed and that trend is continuing to grow as the company expands. The joy my team and I have when we see the positive impact the academy has on these kids’ lives is why we do what we do. It is not recognition for us, for God gets the glory in everything we do. There is great satisfaction in arming the next generation with the skills to confidently walk in their purpose.

Our program offers Group/Team Training, Camps, and Clinics, in addition to, Personal training. The coaches on staff are experienced professionals who have a comprehensive understanding of the game. They focus on teaching the students to master the fundamentals while developing the mental and physical aspect of the sport as well.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Living life is taking a risk; to step out of your comfort zone or even the box that some have placed you in is taking a risk. Risk taking is required in order for one to grow, you must be willing to deny yourself the things that hinder or prevent you from being the best version of yourself. To do that means making difficult decisions, breaking away from friends, starting over, being honest with yourself and simply just brushing yourself off and getting back up when you fall.

For me, risk taking is gaining control of my life by not succumbing to the everyday pressures to be comfortable with the bare minimum. To take risk means putting your purpose first by committing to do whats necessary for the results you want to achieve.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@next5basketballacademy.com
• Website: www.next5basketballacademy.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/next5basketballacademy
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/next5basketballacademy
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/next5academy

Image Credits
Aiyana Ousley