The Fundamentals Academy was founded in 2024 with the mission of preparing young athletes for the next level on and off the court. Our goal is to develop people first and athletes second. We achieve this through systematic skill-building, relentless passion, and unequivocal hard work. We teach the fundamentals of the game and their importance, but we also develop those fundamental skills to be applied at an elite level. There is no magic routine. No magical diet. No easy way out. Greatness takes hard work. TFA instills and develops that work ethic and supplements it with proven drill work, high-intensity sessions, and a supreme commitment to accountability. How bad do you want it? We're going to find out!

Meet Coach

TFA's founder, owner, and Head Trainer is Michael Isbell, Jr. A Memphis Native, Coach Mike graduated from Memphis University School in 2011 after playing for Tennessee's Winningest Coach, Jerry Peters. After graduation, Coach Mike attended the University of Evansville in Indiana - a small Division I school in the Missouri Valley Conference - with intentions of being a walk-on. An ankle injury sustained during practice with the team ended that dream, but it started a career. Coach Mike transferred to the University of Tennessee and immediately began coaching in Knoxville, TN. In 2012, he began his journey with the youth coaching in the West Bearden Basketball League. Within a year, championships were won, and Coach was promoted to Skills Trainer and Coach - aiding in instructing over 200 children a week. By 2014, Coach was elevated to Head Skill Trainer for the West Bearden Basketball League, and the league had grown to nearly 300 kids. In addition to the WBBL, Coach Mike also coached at the Webb School of Knoxville - helping their 8th Grade Basketball Team win 30+ games in 2 seasons and 2 playoff appearances.

Coach Mike returned to Memphis in 2018 and is currently the Head Coach at Cordova Middle Optional School. He also is the Head Coach for the Memphis Ghost Cats Basketball Club. With over 2 decades of playing, training, and coaching experience Coach is passionate about the game, the youth, and the city and is looking to pour it back in. Let's rock!

Coach Mike pictured with legendary nba coach lionel hollins at a memphis hustle and junior grizzlies coaching clinic

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