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 started as a young coach to helping build East Valley Basketball into a community-centered program. The conversation explores why foundational skill development still matters, how youth sports changed after COVID, the importance of creating opportunities for beginners and girls, and why coaches have a responsibility to develop the person as much as the player.

They also get into the growth of 3v3 basketball, parent engagement, mental health and sportsmanship, the challenges of finding facilities and building sustainable leagues, and how technology and modern training are changing the game.

And because you can't put two basketball people together without eventually debating basketball, Debrina and Kenneth have a little fun with the legends, the GOAT conversation, and some rapid-fire basketball questions.

This episode is for parents, coaches, athletes, program directors, and anyone who believes youth sports should be about development, opportunity, community, and preparing young people for more than the next game.

Episode 11 | Built From the Ground Up
Featuring Kenneth Sanders, Co-Founder of East Valley Basketball

🎙️ REI Sports Network — Where Sports, Education & Opportunity Meet.

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 sports.

REI Prep was created around a simple reality: students shouldn’t have to choose between pursuing their education and pursuing the opportunities that can shape their future.

Debrina breaks down what REI Prep actually is, who it serves, and why the program was designed to support more than traditional student-athletes. From basketball and competitive sports to esports, digital athletes, and students interested in careers throughout the sports industry, REI Prep is building an environment where education works alongside a student’s goals—not against them.

The conversation explores the flexibility of online education combined with real-world experiences, NCAA-approved coursework, college preparation, athletic development, travel and competition, and the importance of creating community even when students aren't sitting inside a traditional classroom five days a week.

Debrina also talks about the bigger picture: helping students understand that the sports industry extends far beyond playing the game. Media, business, coaching, operations, technology, esports, events, and countless other career pathways can all become part of how young people begin imagining their futures.

And because supporting a student means supporting the family around them, the conversation also touches on parents, siblings, logistics, community, and why REI Prep continues to evolve around what families actually need.

In this episode:

• Why REI Prep was created
• What makes the REI Prep model different
• Supporting student-athletes without sacrificing academics
• NCAA-approved coursework and college readiness
• Esports and the Digital Athlete pathway
• Exploring careers throughout the sports industry
• Creating flexibility for training, travel, tournaments, and competition
• Building community within an online educational model
• Supporting families and siblings
• Preparing students for life beyond the game
• The long-term vision for REI Prep

This episode is for student-athletes, parents, coaches, educators, and anyone interested in what education can look like when we stop asking young people to fit into one system—and start building systems that recognize where they’re trying to go.

REI Sports Network
Where Sports, Education & Opportunity Meet.

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 personal experiences that led him into sports medicine and breaks down what the profession actually looks like beyond the sidelines. We talk about recovery and nutrition, advancements in sports medicine, working with athletes and families, and why knowing basic skills like CPR and first aid can literally save a life.

For students considering sports medicine as a career, Colin also shares practical ways to start exploring the industry now, including certifications, shadowing, internships, hands-on experience, and the skills that make a great athletic trainer.

We also get into something every athlete needs to hear: sometimes getting back in the game isn't the most important thing. Knowing when to stop, recover, get treatment, and protect your long-term health matters too.

In this episode:

• What sports medicine really encompasses
• Injury prevention, recovery and nutrition
• Athletic training beyond game day
• CPR, first aid and hands-on skills students can learn now
• Sports psychology and understanding the athlete
• Building trust with athletes and parents
• Shadowing, internships and career pathways
• The importance of humility and continuous learning
• Helping athletes safely return to the sport they love

Whether you're a student-athlete, parent, coach, or young person wondering if there's a future for you in sports beyond playing, this conversation introduces another side of the sports industry worth exploring.

REI Sports Network
Where Sports, Education & Opportunity Meet.

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, helped build the culture and digital presence surrounding Unrivaled, and has continued creating opportunities at the intersection of women’s sports, athlete branding, community, and entrepreneurship.

But this conversation goes much deeper than social media.

We talk about why young athletes need to start thinking about who they are before the ball stops bouncing, how authenticity creates stronger personal brands, why adaptability may be one of the most valuable skills sports teaches us, and just how many careers exist in sports for students who may never play professionally.

Sydni also shares insight into sports psychology, identity beyond athletics, building genuine community around athletes, creating sustainable content, navigating career pivots, and turning your own interests and “superpowers” into opportunities.

And one question sits at the center of it all:

“When the ball stops dribbling, what do you want to be known for?”

For student-athletes, parents, coaches, aspiring sports professionals, creators, marketers, and anyone trying to find their lane in the sports industry—this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• Sydni’s transition from psychology into sports branding
• Behind the scenes of building culture and community around Unrivaled
• Why athlete branding should begin long before a playing career ends
• NIL, social media, and diversifying athlete income
• Authenticity vs. performing for the algorithm
• Careers in sports beyond becoming a professional athlete
• Sports psychology and separating identity from performance
• Finding your personal “superpower”
• Adaptability, problem-solving, and navigating career pivots
• Sydni’s next chapter, including community experiences and pop-up events

One of our biggest takeaways: Your sport may open the door—but who you become, what you build, and how you impact people can take you places the game never could.

🎙️ REI Sports Network
Where Sports, Education & Opportunity Meet.

No Shortcuts. Just Miles.

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 basketball journey through college, overseas, and the NBA to Renée's passion for creating meaningful community experiences, this conversation highlights the power of purpose, entrepreneurship, and giving back.

We also explore Winter Circle Weekend, their commitment to creating opportunities for youth, and why building community will always be bigger than the event itself.

Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, coach, or someone looking to make an impact, this episode is a reminder that your platform can become your purpose.

• Ish Wainright's basketball journey from overseas to the NBA
• The story behind Carz N Kickz
• Why community is at the center of everything they build
• Winter Circle Weekend and giving back to Kansas City
• Entrepreneurship beyond sports
• REI Arena and the future of gaming in community events
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, athletes, and young leaders

"Follow your dreams, whatever they are."

"Be open, be flexible, and have fun in the journey."

"We really do run the world."

📱 Ish Wainright

Instagram

📱 C. Renée

Instagram

Follow Carz N Kickz and Winter Circle Weekend to stay connected with upcoming events and community initiatives.

REI Sports Network is the official media platform of REI Prep (Roadrunners Elite Institute), where sports, education, business, and opportunity come together through meaningful conversations with athletes, coaches, founders, educators, and industry leaders.

Our mission is simple:

Where Sports, Education & Opportunity Meet.

🌐 REIPrep.org

If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Share to help us continue highlighting the people making a difference in sports and their communities.

#REISportsNetwork #CarzNKickz #IshWainright #CommunityLeadership #YouthSports

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 centered around accountability, leadership, discipline, and character.

Whether you're a player, parent, or coach, this conversation offers valuable insight into what separates great programs from good ones—and why developing great people will always come before developing great basketball players.

🏀 Coach Devin's basketball journey

🏀 Why he joined REI Prep from the beginning

🏀 Building the inaugural middle school program

🏀 Developing leaders on and off the court

🏀 The importance of culture and accountability

🏀 Advice for parents and young athletes

🏀 What makes REI Prep different

🏀 His vision for the future of Roadrunner Basketball

About REI Prep

REI Prep (Roadrunners Elite Institute) is redefining education through three innovative pathways:

🏀 Student Athlete

🎮 Digital Athlete

💼 Sports Industry & Leadership

Our mission is to prepare students for success in college, careers, and life—because sports isn't just a game...it's an industry.

🌐 REIPrep.org

Subscribe for more conversations with athletes, coaches, executives, educators, and innovators who are shaping the future of sports.

#REIPrep #REISportsNetwork #YouthBasketball #BasketballCoach #StudentAthlete

🏀 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 athletes from great ones.

From building championship habits to navigating NIL, analytics, social media, and college recruiting, this conversation is packed with practical advice for players, parents, coaches, and anyone passionate about the game.

Whether your goal is to play at the next level or build a career in basketball, this episode offers valuable insights from one of the sport's most respected voices.

In this episode, we cover:
🏀 What makes an elite basketball player
📈 The evolution of recruiting, NIL & analytics
🎯 How The Grind Session creates opportunities for athletes
💪 Habits that separate good players from great ones
📱 Social media mistakes that can cost opportunities
🍎 Nutrition, recovery & long-term development
🚀 The future of basketball and player exposure

Guest: Justin Peterson
Founder, Just Hoopin' • The Grind Session

🎙️ Subscribe to REI Sports Network for weekly conversations where sports, education, and opportunity meet.

No Shortcuts. Just Miles.

#REISportsNetwork #GrindSession #Basketball #PlayerDevelopment #NIL #YouthBasketball #SportsEducation #Recruiting #JustHoopin #StudentAthletes

🎮 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 why today's gamers are the next generation of digital athletes.

Whether you're a student, parent, coach, educator, or gamer, this episode will change how you think about esports.

🎙️ Topics include:
• Esports career pathways
• College scholarships for gamers
• AI and the future of gaming
• Communication and teamwork
• Player development & competitive strategy
• Health, nutrition & recovery for gamers

🚀 Subscribe to REI Sports Network for more conversations where sports, education, and opportunity meet.

#Esports #Gaming #DigitalAthlete #EsportsCareers #GamingEducation #REISportsNetwork