From the NBA to Power 5 College Basketball: Insights from a Strength and Conditioning Professional

Strength and conditioning are cornerstones of athletic performance, and professionals play a critical role in shaping athletes’ physical capabilities. For a strength and conditioning coach, the transition from the NBA to a Power 5 college basketball program marks a significant and multifaceted career shift.

I have a unique perspective, starting at the NBA level and now working with elite college basketball players. My journey from the NBA to college has encompassed many challenges and opportunities, demanding adaptability, a strategic approach, and a deep passion for athlete development. In this article, I will explore the nuances of this transition and—most importantly—highlight the adjustments and strategies needed to pave the way for success.

My journey from the NBA to college has encompassed many challenges and opportunities, demanding adaptability, a strategic approach, and a deep passion for athlete development, says @cspillercscs. Share on X

The NBA Experience

For many strength and conditioning professionals, working in the NBA represents the pinnacle of professional sports. The league is renowned for its elite talent, cutting-edge training facilities, progressive and innovative incentives, and demanding competition schedules.

NBA strength and conditioning coaches are tasked with optimizing the performance of athletes already at the peak of their physical abilities. In-season training during the NBA season primarily focuses on maintaining high performance, managing workloads, preventing injuries, and enhancing specific aspects of athleticism required for high-stakes professional basketball games.

The individual needs of NBA players are vital for strength and conditioning coaches. These coaches work with athletes at various stages of their careers, from rookies to seasoned veterans. Programming can range from teaching basics to rookies with little training experience to working with veterans who know their bodies well and have established routines. Motivation also plays a crucial role, especially for players in contract years or those with limited playing time. Additionally, coaches need to consider the impact of back-to-back games on players’ conditioning and adjust their programs accordingly.

Critical Elements of the NBA Environment:

1. Elite Talent Pool: NBA players possess extraordinary physical and technical skills, demanding highly specialized and individualized training programs. Coaches meticulously craft these programs to enhance players’ agility, strength, endurance, and basketball-specific skills. The NBA Draft Combine is a crucial event where aspiring players showcase their talents to scouts, coaches, and executives from all 30 NBA teams.

The talent pool is now more significant than ever, with domestic and international talent growing exponentially. Excluding two-way players, there are currently 450 players in the NBA. As of February 2022, 5,510 Division I men’s college basketball players were on the rosters of 358 schools. According to NCAA statistics, only about 1.2% of all college men’s basketball players get drafted by an NBA team. The habits of elite-level NBA players set them apart from others. Many young players don’t realize the work, discipline, and dedication required to be a professional basketball player.

Simply scoring lots of points or having natural talent is no longer enough to secure a spot on an NBA roster. While potential can open doors, what are you doing to maximize your potential and stay on top? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you arriving early for treatment and maintenance work before workouts? Are you focused on your nutrition, eating meals with the proper nutrients to perform at your best? I refer to these as “Professional Habits” with my athletes to remind them that professionalism extends beyond on-court performance. It encompasses the little things off the court that contribute to a long, successful career. The possibilities are endless once young athletes grasp this concept, along with talent and work ethic.

2. Advanced Facilities: Over the last ten years, NBA franchises have started to build state-of-the-art training facilities equipped with the latest technology and equipment to support comprehensive performance analysis, targeted conditioning, and enhanced recovery efforts. State-of-the-art facilities can play a role in the potential for big-name free agents to join the franchise.

3. Intense Competition Schedule: The NBA’s rigorous schedule necessitates meticulous load management to ensure players are primed for performance while minimizing the risk of injury. Training post-game has been a strategy most teams and players have adopted in recent years. Post-game lifts help match the stress from the game load and maintain strength and conditioning. This strategy is usually implemented after back-to-backs or long road trips to ensure the players can take the following day off without a drop-off in performance.
4. Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Strength and conditioning coaches work closely with sports scientists, nutritionists, medical staff, and other coaches to create holistic, cohesive training programs. These staff usually meet every morning before players arrive to discuss player status, injury updates, practice training load recommendations, daily training, and weight room schedules and plans.

Transitioning to Power 5 College Basketball

Moving from the NBA to a Power 5 college basketball program introduces a dramatically different landscape. While exceptionally talented, college athletes are in a critical developmental stage of their careers. The strength and conditioning coach’s roles include performance enhancement, foundational physical development, education, and mentorship. 

With the introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), college athletes have opportunities to profit from their likeness. But it's important to remember that they are students first and foremost, says @cspillercscs. Share on X

Critical Adjustments and Strategies:

1. Developmental Focus

• Physical Development: College athletes are still maturing physically. I soon realized how much more physical development college basketball players need, especially incoming first-year students. In my first year, we had more of a veteran group with a couple of fifth-year seniors. This group had a great foundation, and I could incorporate more of my movement-based strength approach with my manual therapy skillset. This group achieved excellent results.

The following year, to help our first-year students transition to the physical demands of college basketball, our program focused more on hypertrophy and strength while blending movement-based strength. My experience working in the NBA and now in college basketball has helped me realize that longevity, availability, and development are the keys to success for high-level performers. To create a robust athletic foundation and prevent injuries, emphasis should be placed on developing overall strength. The integral components in building strength include progressive overload, functional training in multiplanar movements, and isometrics and tendon loading. Other important developmental pieces include power, speed, agility, and endurance.

• Education: Educating athletes about sleep, nutrition, recovery techniques, and consistent training habits is vital. This component helps athletes, especially those from specific socioeconomic backgrounds, understand how their choices impact performance and longevity, instilling habits that benefit them throughout their careers. Part of our job is to help them know that prioritizing sleep and recovery is crucial for college basketball players. Aim for 8-10 hours of sleep to enhance cognitive function and physical recovery. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule in a relaxed, dark, and quiet environment. Many incoming freshmen, athletes who have transferred from mid-major or JUCO, may lack the knowledge or resources. Educating early and often on what practical recovery efforts look like is essential. Effective recovery includes light activities like stretching, proper hydration and nutrition, and techniques such as ice baths and massages. Focusing on these areas maximizes performance and health.

2. Program Design:

• Periodization: Unlike the NBA’s year-round competition, college basketball has distinct off-season, pre-season, and in-season phases. Effective periodization ensures athletes build during the off-season, peaking at critical times and maintaining performance while managing fatigue and injuries.
• Individualization: Each athlete’s developmental stage, physical attributes, and specific needs vary widely. Individualized training programs help address individual strengths, weaknesses, and imbalances, promoting a balanced and holistic athletic development program.

3. Resource Management:

• Facilities: Power 5 programs, known for their robust athletic departments, often boast impressive facilities. However, these facilities may still fall short of the cutting-edge resources available in the NBA. My transition to my current Power 5 basketball program was made seamless because of early exposure to various athletic performance and sports science technology during my time in the NBA.

Power 5 programs, known for their robust athletic departments, often boast impressive facilities. However, these facilities may still fall short of the cutting-edge resources available in the NBA., says @cspillercscs. Share on X

Before arriving in Oregon, I was already proficient in using and analyzing force plates and force frames (a system that tests and assesses hip/groin strength) data, using various blood flow restriction devices for training for strength and recovery, wearable GPS player tracking systems, various types of athlete management software, and a Delos postural proprioception system. The Delos system tests and assesses balance and proprioception to mitigate lower extremity injuries, and because of my experience in the NBA, U of O is one of the few Men’s College basketball programs to possess this device.

High-performance models are slowly making their way to college athletics. To bridge this gap and enhance training effectiveness, these programs must creatively utilize their existing equipment and facilities. Over the years, success in the NCAA Tournament has spurred several Power 5 conference schools to invest in upgrading or building new, world-class, practice facilities. These state-of-the-art venues improve training conditions and serve as a significant draw in recruiting top talent.

• Staff and Support: College programs may have fewer support staff than NBA teams. College programs typically have multiple athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches assigned to various teams. Most Power 5 programs have one athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach assigned to men’s basketball. Those staff members might occasionally have one other sport they’re responsible for.

On the contrary, the number of members of an NBA performance staff has grown within the last ten years. An NBA team’s average strength and conditioning/performance staff consists of five members, excluding the medical staff. Most hierarchies are structured as Director of Performance, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach; some teams will have two, and Head G-League Strength and Conditioning Coach. This necessitates a more hands-on approach and strong collaboration with athletic trainers, sports nutritionists, and medical personnel to ensure comprehensive athlete care.

4. Athlete Management:

• Academic Demands: College athletes manage demanding academic schedules alongside their athletic commitments. Understanding and accommodating these demands is crucial when creating effective, manageable training programs. With the introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), college athletes have a new opportunity to profit from their likeness. However, it’s important to remember that they are students first and foremost.
• Mentorship: College athletes often require more guidance and mentorship than their NBA counterparts. These athletes are in their formative years and can be easily influenced. College athletes don’t know what they don’t know. Most think by committing to a top-notch program, it’s a ticket to the NBA. In most cases, they don’t realize how hard they have to work to reach that level.

I’ve found that sharing stories about who the hardest worker I’ve been around is, what an NBA practice day looks like, and how often they are in the gym has created a level of buy-in, which ultimately produces results and helps me gain the athletes’ trust. However, the adage remains true, “they don’t care what you know until you show them that you care.” No matter the level, coaches should build genuine relationships, provide support on and off the court/field, and foster a positive, growth-oriented environment. Those three elements provide value to the person and the overall program.

The ‘Professional Approach’ Within College Basketball

As I transitioned from the NBA to college, I noticed how significant the influence of front-office roles are in contrast to athletic directors’ roles and responsibilities. Front offices in the NBA considerably impact team management and player development. In the NBA, front-office structures have always been necessary for managing rosters, contracts, and player acquisitions. On the other hand, in college basketball, the coaching staff has traditionally been the driving force. The head coach often acts as the owner and general manager. However, with the introduction of the transfer portal, which has led to increased player mobility, Power 5 programs have started to take a more professional approach.

Many programs now have a “general manager” or similar role to help with recruiting and roster management. This shows a move towards a more organized, strategic approach to building competitive teams. As a result, college strength coaches are now working more closely with agents and trainers, mirroring the complex front-office operations in the NBA. This collaboration is necessary, because player transactions and strategic planning are crucial for long-term success. In the following bullet points, I will highlight my experience working with various front offices and trainers during my time in the NBA and how it prepared me for this new era of college basketball.

Front Office Coordination:

• Clear Communication: Establishing transparent and regular communication with the front office is essential to aligning goals and expectations for athlete physical development. Some front offices may ask strength and conditioning personnel to contact college strength and conditioning coaches to gather intel on prospective draft prospects.
• Feedback Loop: Regular updates on player progress, training plans, and any concerns help ensure everyone is on the same page and can adjust strategies as needed.

Organizing Off-Season Workouts:

The off-season in college basketball and the NBA are different. NBA players usually have workout plans with their trainers, focusing on improving their skills, recovery, and staying in the game for the long run. On the other hand, college basketball teams usually focus on team training led by the coaching staff.

But, things are changing in college basketball with NIL deals, agents getting involved, and more personalized training plans. College athletes are starting to work with outside trainers and agents, like what we see in the NBA. This shift blurs the lines between amateur and professional off-season prep, making college basketball more structured and pro.

• Customized Plans: Develop individualized off-season training programs tailored to each player’s needs and goals. Off-season training programs should be collaborative efforts between the front office, coaching staff, performance staff, and players. They should balance skill development, physical conditioning, strength, recovery, and rehabilitation exercises.
• Player Visits: Arrange for visits to players out of the market to check in, monitor their progress, and adjust their training programs as necessary.
• Personal Trainer Coordination: Maintain open lines of communication with the players’ trainers to ensure consistency in training approaches and address any discrepancies. Collaboration provides a unified approach to the player’s development. Both professionals should take an athletic-centered approach to program design and communication.

Embracing the College Environment

The college environment offers a uniquely rewarding experience for strength and conditioning professionals. The opportunity to shape young athletes’ futures, both on and off the court, is immensely fulfilling. During my time at Oregon, I have witnessed my athletes consistently challenging themselves and each other in the weight room. I have worked step by step with incoming first-year students, helping them transition into responsible adults. Watching a shy sophomore develop into a confident senior has been extremely satisfying.

Guiding future leaders on and off the court has motivated me to use my professional experience to instill the necessary professional habits for their success, regardless of their career paths. Being involved in college sports, especially in Power 5 programs, has provided a strong sense of community, pride, and camaraderie in a vibrant and inspiring environment.

Benefits of the College Setting:

1. Impact on Athlete Development: Strength and conditioning coaches in college have the chance to impact athletes profoundly during a formative period in their lives. The skills, habits, and mindset instilled at this stage can shape their future careers, especially those who pursue careers outside of basketball.
2. Community and Camaraderie: College sports foster a strong sense of community and pride. For most cities in the United States, college or university could drive economic growth and jobs! Being part of a close-knit team and contributing to the overall success of the athletic program creates a fulfilling and enriching experience.
3. Diverse Role: The role of a strength and conditioning coach in college is multifaceted, encompassing physical training, education, mentorship, and support. This diversity makes the job dynamic and engaging.

Conclusion

Transitioning from the NBA to Power 5 college basketball is a journey that requires adaptability, a comprehensive understanding of athlete development, and a passion for mentorshp. Any strength and conditioning professionals making this move must embrace the differences and challenges, leveraging their NBA experience to enhance collegiate programs.

Transitioning from NBA to Power 5 college basketball requires adaptability, a comprehensive understanding of athlete development, and a passion for mentorship, says @cspillercscs. Share on X

Ultimately, the opportunity to shape young athletes’ lives and careers makes this transition a rewarding endeavor for any dedicated strength and conditioning coach. By fostering a supportive, development-focused environment, coaches can leave a lasting legacy on the athletes they mentor, setting them up for success both on and off the court.

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