The Atlanta Hawks Basketball Academy, in partnership with the College Park Skyhawks, celebrated the 15th anniversary of its annual Coaches Clinic by welcoming more than 250 coaches from communities across Georgia and the surrounding region.
Held at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex, the official practice facility of the Atlanta Hawks, the free three-hour clinic provided coaches at all levels with professional instruction, practical resources and live demonstrations led by Hawks Head Coach Quin Snyder, Hawks Assistant Coach and College Park Skyhawks Head Coach Sanjay Lumpkin, and members of their respective coaching staffs.
“As we celebrate 15 years of the Coaches Clinic, we are proud of the role the program has played in elevating coaches and shaping the way the game is taught in our communities,” said Chris Jacobs, Senior Director of the Hawks Basketball Academy. “Creating an environment where coaches can connect with experienced professionals enables them to exchange ideas, share expertise and gain valuable insights they can apply directly to their programs.”
The evening began with a networking reception before transitioning into a Q&A moderated by Hawks play-by-play announcer Bob Rathbun. Snyder discussed his coaching philosophy and emphasized the importance of continued learning as the game evolves.
The clinic then moved onto the court for four interactive instructional stations focused on team basketball and player development. Hawks Assistant Coaches Kendal Manuel and Jacob Porter covered pick-and-roll solutions against switching defenses, while Assistant Coach Seth Jackson and Video Coordinator Hugh Baxter explored how players can anticipate defensive actions before receiving the ball. Lumpkin led a session on off-ball screening actions, while Hawks Assistant Coach and Skyhawks Associate Head Coach Reggis Onwukamuche closed the clinic with instruction on pick-and-roll shell concepts.
“Coaching requires a commitment to continual growth and improvement,” said Snyder. “The game continues to evolve, and great coaches continue to seek new perspectives that shape how they teach.”
Attendees also received coaching resources, including a journal, skills and drills packet, T-shirt and Skyhawks dry-erase clipboard. A recording of the full clinic will also be available through the Hawks at Home platform for coaches unable to attend in person.
Since 2011, more than 6,000 coaches have participated in the organization’s coaching education initiatives through in-person clinics, virtual programming and Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA curriculum, extending the program’s impact beyond Georgia.
