Today we’d like to introduce you to Norris Bo Bell.
Norris Bo, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been blessed to travel all of the world doing something that I love, but my heart will always belong to Atlanta. As the saying goes, there’s no place like home. I am proud to say Atlanta is where my dreams manifested into my life that I have today. Born and raised in Atlanta with nine brothers and sisters and a mom that was as strong as any man I’ve ever met RIP mom, taught me at the age of 11 if you don’t work you don’t eat. As a young boy even before school I would have to go out and work my newspaper route, I sold vegetables and eggs to the neighbors, I worked at the grocery store after school, I even worked at Georgia Tech selling cokes and popcorn at the games. Little did I know I was learning discipline that would be crucial in my life. Myself like many other kids always look up to the professional athletes the entertainers hoping and dreaming that one day that could be us. I love sports, football was a sport that I had a natural instinct for until I broke my leg at the age of 12 and that was the end of that dream.
I instilled everything that I desired and wanted to do into my brothers hoping and dreaming that one day they could pursue the football career that I never had. The summer that I was going into high school I had a growth spurt at the age of 15, I was 6 foot 6 wearing a size 14 shoe everything around me seem to change overnight. Going to high school, I made up my mind that basketball was going to be my way out and to give my family a better life. Every morning when I woke up, I told myself there’s no Plan B this is plan A this has to work, it was all or none! Having a very successful high school career, I received a scholarship from Middle Georgia and later transferred to Gardner Webb. School was going really well until certain circumstances force me to return home to help my family financially. Back in Atlanta, I decided to apply for a fireman’s position but was placed in the police academy. I continue to go through the police academy training but also continue to stay focus on the big picture my plan A, Basketball. I ran every single day. I worked out at night, I lived in the gym. I had the opportunity to go to the Atlanta Hawks rookie camp which I signed a contract.
Shortly after, the Hawks released me and sent me to their minor leagues. I continue to train and work extra hard because I knew my time was coming and I was determined to be ready. As fate would have it I was at the right place at the right time in 1986 at the Summer pro-a.m. league in Atlanta. I had no idea that my life was about to change forever. Alain Gille was a scout and head coach for a top European team in France. He approached me and asked me do I have a passport and what I like to play professional basketball in France, the rest is history. 13 years playing at the highest level in the euro league, I speak fluent French, I have seven euro cups and memories that have last a lifetime. A lot of people ask me do I regret not playing in the NBA and I tell them I have no regrets I am grateful for the life that I have been blessed with. Returning back to the states after 13 years in Europe, I could see the disparity and lack of fundamentals with our youth on and off the court. I have coached several travel teams at the highest level and several of the players have gone on to play professional basketball in the NBA. Working with travel teams and traveling all over the country, you develop a bond that you want your players to be successful. I am so proud of my guys. Together we have won five national championships and I was blessed to be coach of the year three times. When the season ended my passion would increase and I wanted more. I wanted to continue training all year not just during the summer so Bo Bell basketball Academy was born.
Over 250 kids have received scholarships to D1 schools over the last 20 years. Several of our players have gone on to the NBA and numerous of our players male and female are in Europe making us proud. We also have a lot of kids that use basketball as a platform to obtain top corporate jobs all over the country. This is why we do what we do. Do you know what it’s like when it’s something you want to do and you just couldn’t fight it anymore, well Team Bo Bell which is a nonprofit organization traveling basketball team was formed. We have four core pillars adjacent to our program; educational enhancement, health and wellness, nutritional program, financial initiative and community service. We always welcome corporate sponsors to travel this basketball journey with us. Our motto is “TEAM” which means together each accomplish more.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Overall the road has not been perfect but we’ve learned from where we were and we are grateful to where we are today.
Please tell us about Bo Bell Basketball Academy.
We specialize in basketball player development. We take pride in developing our young players on and off the court. We are known for our footwork which we refer to it as feet work. When you talk about foot you talk about one when you talk about feet you talk about two. Our 39 years of experience at the highest level and the success rate that we have. We have a proven feet work system that help players maximize their potential.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood is playing sports with my brothers and teaching them how to play football and basketball.
Contact Info:
- Address: 261 Parkway Dr., Atlanta, GA 30312We also have a BOBELL south at the Renaissance Baptist Church located at 3675 Butner Road Atlanta, GA 30349
- Website: Basketballcoachbobell.com Teambobell.com
- Phone: 404-591-5724
- Other: Coachbobell.com
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