REI Sports Network

What does it really take to build a youth basketball program that develops more than just basketball players? In Episode 11 of the REI Sports Network , Debrina Wright sits down with Kenneth Sanders, co-founder of East Valley Basketball , for a conversation about coaching, player development, community, and what youth basketball can—and should—look like. Kenneth shares his journey from getting star...

What happens when the traditional school model doesn’t fit the life, goals, or opportunities of a student-athlete? In Episode 10 of the REI Sports Network, the questions get turned around as Debrina Wright, Co-Founder of REI Prep , steps into the guest seat for 21 Questions and shares the vision, purpose, and thinking behind building a different kind of educational experience for young people in s...

Sports medicine is about a whole lot more than what happens after an athlete gets hurt. In Episode 9 of the REI Sports Network, Colin Markgraf joins us for a look inside the world of sports medicine and athletic training—from injury prevention and recovery to communication, trust, education, and the career opportunities available to students interested in this growing field. Colin shares the perso...

What happens when the game is no longer the only thing defining you? In this episode of REI Sports Network , Sydni Michelle joins us for a powerful conversation about building a career, a brand, and an identity that extends far beyond the court. Sydni’s journey didn’t follow a traditional sports-industry roadmap. With a background in psychology, she found her way into sports branding and marketing...

What happens when a professional athlete and a community leader use their passions to create something bigger than themselves? In Episode 7 of REI Sports Network , we sit down with NBA veteran Ish Wainright and C. Renée , the founders of Carz N Kickz , to discuss how a shared love for cars, sneakers, sports, and community has grown into a movement that inspires and serves others. From Ish's basket...

What does it take to build a basketball program from the ground up? In this episode of REI Sports Network , we sit down with Coach Devin , the inaugural Middle School Head Coach at REI Prep , to discuss what it means to develop student-athletes beyond the game. As one of the very first coaches to join REI Prep, Coach Devin shares his journey, coaching philosophy, and vision for building a culture...

🏀 Episode 5 | Inside The Grind Session: Building Elite Players Beyond the Game What does it really take to develop elite basketball players in today's game? In this episode of REI Sports Network , host Debrina Wright sits down with Justin Peterson , founder of Just Hoopin' and a leader with The Grind Session , to discuss the future of player development, recruiting, and what separates good athlet...

🎮 Gaming is no longer just a hobby—it's a career. In Episode 4 of REI Sports Network , Debrina Wright sits down with Quentin Hennig , esports educator, cybersecurity expert, and gaming strategist, to explore the rapidly growing world of competitive gaming. From college scholarships and professional gaming to AI, streaming, content creation, and career opportunities, this conversation breaks down...

🏀 What makes a great coach? It's more than drawing up plays or calling timeouts. Great coaches build confidence, develop leaders, and prepare young people for success long after the final buzzer. In this episode of REI Sports Network , host Debrina Wright sits down with Coach Jarryd "Coach J" Dent , founder of Score Hoops 3-on-3 Basketball , to discuss why coaching is one of the most powerful inf...

What if every student-athlete had the opportunity to build a personal brand, launch merchandise, and earn income through NIL? In Episode 2 of REI Sports Network , host Debrina Wright is joined by Ben and Alek , founders of Signature Drop Shop , to explore how today's athletes can turn their passion into opportunity through Name, Image & Likeness (NIL), branding, entrepreneurship, and social me...

What if school didn't force student-athletes to choose between academics and their passion? In the debut episode of REI Sports Network , host Debrina Wright sits down with Sarah Williams , Director of Education at Premier Prep Online Academy, to explore a new approach to education designed for today's student-athletes, future sports professionals, and families seeking greater flexibility. Together...