In this episode of Untapped Stories, we sit down with https://www.instagram.com/ganon_baker_/ — a pioneer in modern player development who’s trained hundreds of pros, thousands of kids, and was producing coaching DVDs long before social media existed. Three decades into the game, he’s still obsessed with the craft.

So we asked him the question every young hooper wants to know:

What actually separates players who level up… from the ones who fall behind?

His answer was simple — and powerful:

H2O: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Create Opportunities.

Ganon has coached All-League athletes, champions, and future pros. But the ones who truly rise aren’t just the most talented. They’re the ones who stay grounded after success, chase growth instead of attention, and keep showing up when nobody’s watching. He’s seen players lift trophies at night… and still be back in the gym at 5am the next morning. That’s the difference.

And this conversation goes deep into what players misunderstand about development today.

Everyone wants highlights, mixtapes, and flashy moves — but the best trainers in the world preach something different: footwork, pace, balance, shot prep, decision-making, discipline, communication, and film study. Players think they need more moves. Ganon argues they need more mastery.

He breaks down the difference between kids who train skills and kids who train standards. Why being coachable is a competitive advantage. How to build habits that translate on varsity, and why the details — angles, reads, timing, space, stance — matter more than anything you see on TikTok.

We also talk about what parents get wrong about “development.” Reps matter, but so does mentality. You can invest in training, but you can’t want it for your kid. Humility, hunger, and opportunity — the H2O mindset — has to come from the athlete.

This episode covers:

• What separates good players from truly great ones
• Why humility and hunger matter more than talent
• How the H2O mindset shapes long-term development
• The fundamentals young hoopers ignore but desperately need
• The difference between skill trainers and real developers
• Why pros obsess over footwork, pace, and habits
• The mindset Ganon learned from training LeBron: “Greatness is consistency.”
• What parents can do that actually supports their athlete
• How players can create their own opportunities at the next level

Ganon’s story is a reminder that development isn’t about overnight results — it’s about stacking days. It’s about discipline, consistency, and a mindset that stays the same whether you’re a beginner or a pro.

At Athletes Untapped, we believe the best coaches don’t just build better players — they build better people. Ganon has been doing that for 30+ years, and this episode is a blueprint every athlete and parent should hear.

🎙️ Untapped Stories is presented by https://athletesuntapped.com — the nation’s #1 platform for private sports coaching. Our mission is to help athletes reach their full potential by connecting them with great coaches who elevate both skill and mindset.

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