Brandoen Guyton is in his third season as Director of NYBA. In just a few years, the program has grown into a structured player development system, emphasizing basketball IQ, decision-making, and real-game application. Under his leadership, NYBA has expanded its impact, helping young athletes not only improve on the court but also develop skills that translate beyond basketball.
As NYBA approaches a pivotal stage in its growth, Guyton sat down with us for a Q&A to discuss the program’s philosophy, long-term vision, and its plans for expansion.
The Connect Media Group: NYBA has been building a strong foundation in youth basketball. What was the initial vision for the program, and how has it evolved?
Brandoen Guyton: The initial vision for NYBA was to create a structured environment where young athletes could advance both on and off the court.
Growing up, basketball was more than just a sport for me, it was an opportunity. It opened doors for me to play varsity basketball, and eventually coach at the highest level of youth basketball and build relationships that have taken me far beyond the game itself.
I wanted to take those same experiences, refine them with an innovative approach, and pass them down to the next generation.
How has NYBA’s training model evolved since its launch, and what led to the shift from skill enhancement to a more complete player development approach?
When NYBA officially launched in 2022 as a training-based program, we focused on more skill enhancement. As we progressed through our first season, we realized that pure skill enhancement wasn’t our calling.
We pivoted towards teaching young players how to actually play the game, how to read the floor, make decisions in real time, and understand the nuances of basketball beyond individual drills.
Over the past three seasons, the program has evolved significantly, not just in terms of the number of players participating but in how we approach player advancement. Our focus is now on creating a well-rounded basketball education, where young players learn how to apply what they practice in a competitive game.
This shift has allowed us to put our imprint on young players long-term development in a way that prepares them for the next level whether that’s high school or beyond.
With youth basketball constantly growing, what separates NYBA from other youth programs?
When we examined the youth basketball landscape both nationally and globally, we saw that skill enhancement training has dominated the market the past decade in the United States. While that model has its merits, we found that focusing on teaching our young players how to understand concepts and providing them a space to play was a better fit for us.
We also have a seasoned coaching staff that brings a combined 42 years of coaching experience at the varsity level. Through that experience, we’ve learned that player development requires a balance between drilling isolated skills and incorporating both structured and unstructured, high-quality practice sessions led by both players and coaches.
What role does NYBA play in shaping the future of youth basketball, both locally and nationally?
This is our third and final season of our trial period, and as we move forward, we’re currently finalizing what NYBA will look like in the future.
Beyond Michigan, we’re planning for expansion by establishing NYBA programs in or near major metropolitan cities across the United States.
We will continue to build our network of high-quality leaders and coaches across the country who align with our philosophy and remain committed to advancing young players, even if that means the benefits are exclusive to a dedicated group of members within our program.
