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MEET THE TEAM

Founder | Head Trainer

JUSTIN TAYLOR

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Coach Justin Taylor, the visionary behind the Evolve 2 Perform Training Academy, boasts an impressive pedigree

as a seasoned basketball performance trainer, a role he has embraced since 2008, His journey in the world of

basketball extends beyond his impactful coaching career, reaching back to his days as a varsity starter as an 8th grader from 1999-2004 becoming a high school stand out among the players in the nation earning All-State and many other numerous honours is just one facet of his illustrious career.

Transitioning seamlessly to the collegiate level, Coach Taylor pursued his dream of playing college basketball, ultimately landing at Tennessee Tech in the highly competitive Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). His collegiate journey culminated at Georgetown College, where he not only earned his Bachelor of Arts in graphic design but also etched his name in the school's history books with his team in a stellar senior season, boasting an impressive record of 35-1, with the lone loss occurring in the National final four.

After his college play Coach Taylor's professional career spanned multiple continents and countries, as he navigated the courts of Europe, Asia, and North America, competing at the highest levels of the game. This extensive playing background forms the cornerstone of his training programs, providing a rich tapestry of firsthand experiences that permeate every facet of his coaching philosophy. Whether honing his skills in the collegiate arena or facing elite competition in the professional realm, Coach Taylor gained invaluable insights into the nuances of excelling in basketball, both as an individual player and as a team player. The diverse array of opportunities to compete alongside and against top-tier talent has endowed him with a comprehensive understanding of the game, encapsulating a multitude perspectives.

Complementing his playing career, Coach Taylor transitioned fluently into coaching at the collegiate level, where he not only imparted strategic acumen but also developed an acute awareness of the expectations that underpin athletic success. Driven by an unwavering love for the game and a passionate commitment to athlete development, Coach Taylor began his basketball training programs as a meaningful contribution to the broader basketball community. Today, he continues to shape the trajectory of aspiring athletes through the Evolve 2 Perform platform, an embodiment of his commitment to his community delivering elevating performance training programs.

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CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER

SOPHIA TAYLOR

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Sophia Taylor specializes in handling administrative tasks and back-office operations, ensuring the success and satisfaction of our clients. Her athletic background includes receiving an athletic scholarship to play collegiate volleyball at California State University Dominguez Hills, where she holds two all-time season records for total kills and total attacks. She was also a three-sport athlete in high school, excelling in basketball, softball, & volleyball.

 

With over 12 years of experience in the educational industry, Sophia brings a wealth of knowledge from her roles in sales, customer service, logistics, & sourcing. Her commitment lies in improving process productivity & providing streamlined support to our clients, ensuring the smooth delivery & coordination of our services for their success.

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The definition of evolve is...

 

Evolve - e·volve [ēˈvälv] 1. develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form.

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Throughout a career in sports, the goal is constant improvement and becoming a better player. One common saying that has been misunderstood is "practice makes perfect." In reality, it's "practice makes permanent." If you practice with improper techniques or develop bad habits, you hinder your ability to progress. Professionals in every sport achieve greatness by mastering their craft. The mantra is "Progression is Perfection." True improvement happens when you refine skills and techniques in every practice session, taking fundamental steps toward mastering your craft and evolving your game.

In all training sessions, the focus is on continual evolution and development. The emphasis is not merely on saying you worked out but on progressing with each workout. The goal is to evolve athletes by breaking down skill sets and imparting knowledge. The ultimate objective is to empower athletes to perform at their full potential, enabling them to reach their desired levels of success.

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All training sessions focus on evolving and developing each and every time we workout. You never want to train just to say  you worked out. 

Focusing on evolving our athletes with the breakdown of skill sets and knowledge is the main goal. I want athletes to have the ability to perform at a high level at their full potential so they can reach whatever level of success they aspire towards.

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TONY WILSON Coach Wilson is a passionate basketball enthusiast with over three decades of experience in playing and coaching the game. With a rich history in basketball, including playing for the 1979 Lafayette State Champions as one of the top contributors in scoring and rebounding, Coach Wilson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his coaching role. Coach Wilson continued his basketball career at Western Kentucky, earning accolades and eventually being drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics. Beyond his playing career, Coach Wilson has coached and played internationally in countries like Australia and England. His coaching experience spans various levels, including coaching high school teams such as Lafayette Boys, Dunbar Boys and Girls, and Tates Creek Boys Basketball. In addition to his work with high school teams and camps, notably 5 star and other high potential camps. Coach Wilson has been actively involved in AAU basketball, coaching both girls' teams like PAL Panthers and Central Kentucky Angels, as well as boys' teams like Urban Impact. His greatest joy comes from seeing the players he has coached and trained excel in their basketball careers, whether at the middle school, high school, college, or even professional levels, and eventually transition into coaching roles themselves. With over 35 years of successful training and development experience, Coach Wilson is dedicated to helping young athletes achieve their basketball goals and dreams.

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​​​​​​​ANTWAIN BARBOUR Antwain Barbour's journey in basketball began at the tender age of 5, igniting a lifelong passion for the sport. His early dedication paved the way for remarkable achievements, highlighted by a state championship victory and MVP honors during his high school career. Continuing his ascent, Antwain earned All-American recognition and contributed to a NJCAA National Championship win at Wabash Valley College. His collegiate tenure at the prestigious University of Kentucky further solidified his legacy, securing two SEC championships. Transitioning to the professional arena, Antwain embarked on a global odyssey, showcasing his talent in eight different countries over a span of 12 illustrious years. Along this extraordinary journey, he clinched multiple championships, etching his name among basketball's elite. After hanging up his jersey, Antwain Barbour seamlessly transitioned into coaching, bringing his wealth of experience and expertise to Woodford County High School. As a mentor and trainer, he has had a profound impact on countless young athletes, instilling in them not just the skills of the game, but also the values of hard work, dedication, and perseverance that align exactly with the Evolve 2 Perform Academy.

LAMONT CAMPBELL Lamont Campbell, a Lexington native and Henry Clay graduate, brings over 15 years of coaching experience to Evolve 2 Perform. As a former player, Lamont was named the 2003 11th Region Player of the Year and went on to play college basketball at Walters State Community College, making two national tournament appearances. He then earned a Bachelor's Degree in Communication: Public Relations from Lambuth University, where he was a two-year starter and helped the team achieve a top-four national ranking. Transitioning into coaching, Lamont started as an assistant coach at Lambuth University, where his team led the NAIA Division 1 in scoring and achieved a top-six national ranking. Returning to his alma mater, Henry Clay High School, Lamont served as an assistant coach for eight years, contributing to the team's success with 160 wins, including consecutive district championships. In 2017, Lamont became the head coach at Bourbon County High School, making an immediate impact with achievements like the district runner-up in 2019 and a 2A State Tournament Runner-Up in 2020. Recognized as the 2020 10th Region Coaches Association Coach of the Year, Lamont's coaching prowess has led to top state rankings and the development of numerous All-Region players.

THE TRAINER COLLECTIVE

Welcome to "The Trainer's Collective," where expertise merges with passion in athletic training. Our team consists of meticulously selected basketball and athletic trainers, each possessing extensive experience and knowledge in their craft. With a combined experience of over 60 years in coaching and training, our professionals bring a wealth of expertise to the table. Not only have they excelled as players and coaches at the highest levels, but they also deeply resonate with the mission and values of our academy. Committed to excellence, our trainers are devoted to guiding athletes toward reaching their full potential, both on and off the court.

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Let "The Trainer's Collective" at the Academy elevate your game with our elite team of professionals.

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BASKETBALL TRAINING GUIDE

MINDSET

MENTAL STRENGTH

SKILL DEVELOPMENT

BASKETBALL GROWTH

PHYSICAL ADVANCEMENT

FITNESS  GAIN

BECOMING A WELL-ROUNDED BASKETBALL PLAYER REQUIRES THE SYNERGY OF THREE ESSENTIAL PILLARS : MINDSET, SKILL DEVELOPMENT, AND PHYSICAL ADVANCEMENT; FORMING THE CORNERSTONE OF SUCCESS BOTH ON AND OFF THE COURT.
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