Meet Chris Diaz of CDIAZBBALL in Phoenix/ Tempe/ Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Diaz.

Chris, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Grew up in San Diego. Been playing basketball all my life. During HS was able to attend a lot of camps against some of the best players in the country. Played AAU with Top Gun Basketball and SD Rebels. Went to Granite Hills High School. My high school career was plagued by injuries (concussions, shoulder injury).  Even then still had plenty of offers (D1 walk on spots, D2, NAIA and JUCO).  Out of HS signed to Missouri Baptist (top 25 NAIA). Eventually decommitted because I didn’t want to go to the cold. Then my HS aau coach told me about playing at SD City college. Went to their summer workouts and I thought I did pretty decent until they brought in a D1 bounce back in my position.  Ended up not going there and that player was named all conference that year and averaged 30 mins per game. I finally made my decision to go to GCU and try to walk on. First week there, I ended up tearing my shoulder at open gym and had to get surgery. After that final injury, I eventually felt like I had to give up on my playing career.  I started coaching GCU’s club basketball team. Our team would play other club teams and play against JUCOS. We ended up being pretty competitive and actually beating some JUCOS. I was then offered an Assistant coaching position at South Mountain CC from legendary coach Dan Nichols. At the time, I was the youngest assistant coach in the country at 19. My first year there, we went 19-12 and sent seven guys out to four year schools.

After that season, I decided I wanted to get into player development. I started studying a bunch of Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash game film to learn footwork, shooting and just learning more about the game. I also got to shadow a well-respected coach/trainer in the industry in Phil Beckner. He has taught me a lot about being a professional in the training industry. I then started doing summer camps with Marquette, GCU, NCAA Basketball Academy, Devin Booker, Prep Hoops, etc. With all the knowledge I soaked up, I started my own training business @CDIAZBBALL. I also then started a nonprofit “Hoops For The Future” which provides free basketball camps to low-income student-athletes while also giving them a financial aid workshop, resume help and professional development. My goal is to help as many student-athletes pay little to nothing to go to college! I am currently still an assistant coach at South Mountain CC, while also being the head girls varsity coach at Pan American Charter School. I will also be coaching 16s with AZ Select this spring/summer! Currently partners with Attitude is Free, a clothing brand based out of Scottsdale. They are all about spreading positivity.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
– Definitely has been a roller coaster
– Long days/nights
– Being away from family
– Getting two shoulder surgeries (left and right shoulders)
– Physically and mentally draining
– Having to use outdoor courts
– Being limited on equipment
– All this makes the end goal so much sweeter

Quote that keeps me going everyday: “Those times when you get up early and you work hard. Those times when you stay up late and you work hard. Those times when you don’t feel like working, your too tired, you don’t want to push yourself but you do it anyway. That is actually the dream. It’s not the destination it’s the journey.” – Kobe Bryant

What else should our readers know?
Hoops For the Future
– Specialize in free basketball camps that teach campers how to utilize sports as a vehicle to get ahead in life
– FAFSA presentations
– Resume help
– How to get recruited
– How sports play an impact in the real world
– How to go to college for free or cheaper
– Elite skills training/college basketball tips

CDIAZBBALL
– Training that translates to game results
– Stuff college coaches will expect out of you when you play at that level
– Confidence boosting
– Becoming a better shooter/playmaker
– Learning the fundamentals
– Becoming a better player not only physically but mentally
– Lastly just having fun and not putting to much pressure on yourself

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I would say I’ve been lucky. Got to come to Phoenix at the right time and meet a lot of the right people. Got lucky with the mentors in my life, the opportunities, and the people in my circle. I don’t take anything for granted and I just want to keep pushing out positive vibes and helping players become better people in their communities.

Contact Info:

• Email: coachchrisdiaz@gmail.com
• Instagram: @Cdiazbball
• Twitter: @CoachChrisDiaz

Image Credit:
Roshan Spottsville

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