Basketball has required different levels of preparation and diligence than ever before. World-class training staffs utilize various methods to perfect their players' skill sets, and one of the most innovative training methods in basketball today is the Shoot 360 basketball facilities. Craig Moody created a science-based training platform related to basketball technique patterns and used it to master the fundamentals of the game. Since its creation in 2012, it has changed the lives of many athletes and will be pivotal for future generations of the sport.
Moody and NoahBasketball have created something extraordinary, generating a lot of success for professional basketball players. 28 out of 30 NBA league training facilities use it to help players sharpen their skills. Many players believe it will forever change the landscape of basketball based on what they experienced during their careers and how they imagine it will affect new players.
Retired WNBA player Helen Darling is a major endorser for Shoot 360. Now, with the inclusion of Shoot 360 leagues, players have the opportunity to test out some of their new skills in organized competition against other veterans in the first digitally connected shooting competition.
In an exclusive interview with Darling, I asked her about the benefits of Shoot 360 leagues and how they have revolutionized basketball development.
“It’s just amazing for several reasons; for one, for us retired players to get back into the game and bring back that competitiveness was awesome,” Darling said. “ You don’t have to worry about blowing your knee out or twisting your ankle; you’re just shooting and having a good time.”
It offers benefits for players of the present and of the past who still want to remain active. At first, players only used it for shootarounds and private sessions. It is the only one in existence, and there are multiple ways to play with friends.
There is a virtual app that gathers players' statistics, team statistics, and a leaderboard that determines who is the best. Unlike traditional 3v3 competitions, Shoot 360 leagues allow the players to take turns shooting to earn points for their team to compete against various locations in real-time.
Numerous gyms are available nationwide, and it has served players in America and internationally. Former Portland State Star Chehales Tapscott has had an illustrious career overseas, winning the Queensland basketball Most Valuable Player in 2014 and leading the National Basketball League in scoring three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020 while playing for the Ibaraki Robots. He is an avid user of the Shoot 360 gyms and is a prominent endorser of what the company can accomplish if more people use it.
“ Outside of being able to get better, I think the people are (the best thing about Shoot 360) people like Bryce white who are around Shoot 360. They make it much more comfortable and easy to go there and have fun,” Tapscott said. “Guys like white help because I'm there getting better, and there are people supporting me getting better. When you’re playing basketball, you don’t need a coach telling you you’re trash.”
He has utilized Shoot 360 for a few years and believes one way to improve it would be to add an option to play five versus five with other Shoot 360 gym patrons. Most Shoot 360s gyms are spacious, and this suggestion could become a reality with the proper rules set. It would give players the closest thing possible to the experience of playing in an organized game against other professionals. White is always searching for new ways to grow the game.
White’s two years as a guard at Portland State helped him develop empathy for other basketball players and dedicated his career to assisting athletes. His impact has been valuable for many athletes like Tapscott, who are still playing and trying to add to their skill set. White expressed his passion for helping people early in his career while participating in Damian Lillard’s camps from 2014 to 2016. From 2019 to 2022, he was also a part of the Oregon Duck’s support staff for their Men’s Basketball Team. After becoming a part of Shoot 360, he has aligned himself with the brand's ideologies.
It’s rare to discover a creation with all the pros and no cons, but the trainees have only reported positive experiences. Love and passion for the game are reflected not just in the improvement sessions' results but also in the players' development session after session.
This consistent improvement and positive reinforcement keep the players motivated and inspired to keep pushing their limits. The organization shows no signs of slowing down and is progressing yearly. Eventually, it will become a mainstream method used by the entire basketball world. White’s ultimate goal is to spread it as much as possible so everyone utilizes Shoot 360 and Shoot 360 leagues.
“This sport has been so special to me, and I think if anybody has any interest in any capacity, they should be able to experience it. They’re welcome just to walk in,” White said. “ We have ORVs that people can take advantage of, which is free personal training, so they can come in and see what Shoot 360 is about. It's so cool, it's so immersive, and it’s so advanced in terms of technology. Everybody uses it, from adults to kids, to retired to current pro athletes.”
2024 was the best year yet for the Shoot 360 and Shoot 360 Leagues. The company's formula has proven to be efficient over 12 years and guarantees the improvement of its clients during every session, ensuring their time is never wasted. With multiple gyms and an app, there's always time to improve.
With innovative minds like White involved, Shoot 360 is destined for greatness, and it will always be at the forefront of basketball training. During the final moments of our sit-down, White shared the company's hopes for the future and his ultimate goal.
“The future is bright, and I can’t give you everything in terms of what we have in the plans, but we really do have some plans for Shoot 360 as a whole,” White said. “ Our founder (Moody) has an amazing vision for what he wants 360 to be like, and as I grow Shoot 360 Leagues, I have a similar vision following his to continue to grow the game because after you retire and you're done playing that competitive fire still needs to be ignited and I think Shoot 360 leagues is a great way for adults to come in and compete so I just wanna grow the game as much as possible.”
Seeing how far the organization has come in 12 years, we can only imagine how technologically advanced it’ll be in 20+ years. As new ideas are released, basketball preparation will improve yearly and increase the organization's popularity. If Shoot 360 continues at this growth pace, it will become the premier training method for all basketball players worldwide.