About NKBA
From first-time players to future high school stars — we meet every player where they are and take them where they want to go.
Head Coach & Founder
Seven years as New Kent’s varsity head coach. Fourteen years developing players in this county.
20+ years of instruction across photography, software, design, fitness, and basketball — a multi-disciplinary background that informs how Garrett thinks about player development. State championship player and Southern Virginia University basketball alumnus. Currently entering his 8th year as New Kent High School’s varsity head basketball coach. 14+ years working directly with New Kent’s community youth; hundreds of players developed.
“My goal isn’t just to teach basketball skills — it’s to help every child build confidence, work ethic, and a love for the game.”
Co-Founder · Mental Training
Masters in Sports Kinesiology and Sports Psychology. Former elementary and middle school physical education teacher. Develops the mental-training programs that anchor NKBA’s whole-player approach — the part of the game most academies don’t teach.
“The middle of any skill is where most students quit — when fundamentals are mastered but mastery is still a long way off. Basketball is no different. That’s where we coach the mind, not just the body.”
The staff
Three specialists across Foundations, Player Development, and camp. Each owns a piece of the whole-player approach.
Assistant Varsity Coach · Player Development Specialist
5 years as Assistant Varsity Coach at New Kent High School. Travel basketball and youth development specialist. Owns guard and post development, leadership, and character work within the NKBA program.
“Having grown up here and played for this program, I know what New Kent basketball means.”
Elite Player Trainer · Shooting Specialist
2025 Bay Rivers District Player of the Year. 2nd team All-State. State leader in 3-point shooting (4 made per game at 44%). 4-year varsity starter with multiple New Kent records. After a postgrad year at Spire Academy, starting his first year of college basketball at Southern Virginia University. Owns shooting mechanics, finishing, and high-end skill work.
Player Development Trainer · Guard Specialist
New Kent alumnus and former Coach Ross player. Two-year varsity guard. Four-year track athlete at Virginia Wesleyan University. Now Assistant Coach at New Kent High School. Specializes in defense, footwork, and ball-handling — guard development.
How the year runs
March – October: Foundations blocks and Player Development sessions run continuously. This is where the work happens.
June: Summer camp — Heart of a Trojan — a week of intensive training at the high school.
November – February: The school basketball season — and the rhythm shifts. Training continues, but the work moves toward in-game feedback cycles: weekly film review, post-game debriefs, and skill adjustments based on what shows up in live play, not just drill work.
This is also when Ellen’s mental-skills work matters most. A steady touchpoint as kids navigate playing time, pressure, and the confidence swings of a competitive school season — someone to talk to, a repeatable approach. For players not yet on a school roster, Player Development sessions continue at the regular cadence.
What we stand for
Why we built this
New Kent kids deserve serious player development — without driving an hour to Richmond.
The academy was built to close that gap. One program. One staff. One gym. From a six-year-old’s first dribble to a varsity player’s last rep, run by coaches who know this community.
Get in touch
Phone: 757-254-7376
Email: garrettross@nkba.life
Address: New Kent Parks & Rec, 11809 New Kent HWY, New Kent, VA 23124
