Interview: Jamaal Benjamin Opening Up Coaching Opportunities from NBA to High School Players
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
No matter the sport, once the love for the game has seeped into the bloodstream, players are always involved in the game some way or somehow. When the playing days have come to an end, the lucky ones get to take the knowledge they have gained over the years and impart that wisdom onto the next generation. One lucky former college basketball player sharing his talents around the world is Jamaal Benjamin.
New York has long been known for sending top players from the high school hardwood onto the next level. Benjamin got his start at Trinity-Pawling (Pawling) before heading to Dickinson College. The years of practice and training are now being parlayed into teaching opportunities with NBA teams like the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Clippers turning to Benjamin for extra help with their players.
Colleges have reached out for Benjamin’s help with UCLA and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania seeking his talents. His reputation has grown beyond the U.S. boarders with coaching stints in the Chinese National Basketball League (NBL) and Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
Benjamin has teamed with Game Shot Basketball to help tutor high school players at all levels in their journey on the hardwood. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Benjamin for an in-depth one-on-one interview covering his playing days, coaching background, and coaching philosophy.
Interview
How did your game develop in high school and how quickly did your skill set develop into being a college level player?
“In high school, my game developed gradually. I did not start playing organized basketball until my freshman year. The school that I went to, Trinity-Pawling, had a strong basketball program. After seeing players in my school go onto college and play, I decided to take basketball more seriously. I played JV my freshman year and sophomore year but I was unable to make varsity. We had a very talented team and I did not receive a lot of playing time until my junior year. After my junior year I started to receive interest from colleges. I had a strong senior year and we won the New England Championship.”
Where did you play your college ball?
“Dickinson College.”
Why did you pick said school?
“I choose to go to Dickinson because I enjoyed the campus atmosphere in addition to the basketball aspect. My coaches have always advised to choose a school that you could picture yourself going to even if you didn’t play basketball.”
How did your college career go on the court?
“My college career progressed nicely from start to finish. I did not play a lot as a freshman but I was able to develop my game into being a solid contributor on teams that made the playoffs and postseason tournaments as an upperclassmen. The credit goes to the coaching staff that pushed me and spent a lot of time working with me individually before and after practice as well as in the off-season to assist in my development.”
What got you into coaching?
“My passion for the game. I love to teach the game. It is gratifying to help players fulfill their potential and achieve their aspirations.”
What is your mission statement or theme as a coach that you try to instill in the players you train/coach?
“Maximize your potential. Put all your effort into being the best player you can possibly be and you’ll have the self-satisfaction of knowing you did everything you could to succeed.”
Where all have you coached so far in your career?
“I’ve been fortunate to work with players at different levels and stages of their careers. I have worked with the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers, Chinese National Basketball League (NBL), Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), UCLA, and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.
“After most recently working with the Knicks, I created a player development and consulting company named, Game Shots Basketball. I created this company to service players training needs through the use of on-court workouts, film analysis and written evaluations to assist our clients’ development throughout the year. It’s been a successful venture and we’ve had players from all over the world come to train with us.”
When you coach or train a player, what are the specifics you work on for said player?
“I strive to maximize each player’s potential on the court through the emphasis of fundamentals and game situations. That was the reasoning behind the name of the company, Game Shots Basketball, because training is game focused.
“What I found working at the highest level in the NBA is that less is more. Efficiency and realism is the key component to development. No matter your position or skill set, improving on the things that you’re expected to do during game action is most important. Preparing players for competition by drilling and simulating the basketball scenarios that you are going to see is the main priority. Training sessions are intense to challenge your body and mind for the stresses of game action.”
You recently coached at a high school All-American event with Explosive Athletes Institute, how did that go and where was the camp?
“Yes, this summer I coached at the Pangos All-American camp. It was held at Cerritos College in Norwalk (CA). The top 200 high school basketball players in the nation were there. Game Shots Basketball worked in conjunction with Explosive Athlete Institute to conduct skills development stations. During the stations we combined traditional on-court player development inquest with functional strength and conditioning training.”
Who are some of the players you worked with at the Pangos All-American event?
“DeAndre Ayton, Jared Vanderbilt, Gary Trent Jr., Billy Preston, Brandon Huffman are some of the most notable players but all the players were really talented. In a few years, several of the campers will be playing in the NBA.”
You also recently did a tour in China working with aspiring basketball players there. How did that event go? What all did you do and where all did you go?
“The tour in China went well. I served as the head coach of a team of 10 professional players. We there for a month and we played 12 games versus CBA and NBL teams. We went 10-2. The travel was extensive and we visited over 10 cities all over China and ended the tour in Beijing. The main goal was to gain exposure for the players. It was a success and most of the players have signed contracts overseas. One of the players from the tour team, Ben Uzoh, just finished competing in the Rio Olympics for Nigeria.”
What events do you have coming up?
“Continuing to train players in the LA area with my player development company, Game Shots Basketball. In the fall, I am planning on taking another tour team to China and I am organizing a clinic in Thailand.”
Where in LA do you train?
“In West LA. I train players at UCLA and Memorial Park Gym in Santa Monica.”
How can aspiring high school or college players get in touch with you to start training with you?
“Interested players can email: info@gameshotsbasketball.com or call/text 310.562.4453.
“Additionally, players that are in interested in training can visit our website at www.gameshotsbasketball.com and use the contact form.”
Photo credit: Jamaal Benjamin; Benjamin (right) coaching from the bench.
Photo credit: Jamaal Benjamin; Benjamin instructs his team during a timeout.
Photo credit: Jamaal Benjamin; Benjamin (right) with CBA All-Star Zeng Ling Xu.