Former NBA player and 2008 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year
Gary Forbes is a former NBA player, author, and creator of The Sole Survivors, a literature series developed to educate and encourage children and young adults living with chronic health conditions. Forbes competed professionally while managing type 1 diabetes, becoming one of only three players in NBA history to reach the league while living with the condition.
Forbes appeared in 111 NBA regular-season games with the Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors, averaging 5.8 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. He also represented Panama in international competition, appearing in FIBA events from 2007 through 2019.
Before his professional career, Forbes played at the University of Massachusetts. He was named the 2008 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and earned First-Team All-Atlantic 10 honors after averaging 19.4 points and 7.5 rebounds as a senior. Forbes studied communications at UMass. Through The Sole Survivors, he now uses superhero stories and advocacy to promote resilience, awareness, and positive representation for children managing chronic conditions.
Kids don’t need a gym or fancy gear to get better at basketball. Twelve coach-approved drills for ball-handling, footwork, shooting, and conditioning that fit a driveway and a 45-minute routine, with age guidance from 8 to 17.
Sep 4, 2026
Most young shooters repeat the same seven mistakes: feet, balance, elbow, guide hand, follow-through, arc, and rhythm. The fixes and drills coaches use with beginners, and what parents should watch for in the driveway.
Sep 4, 2026
AAU and high school basketball teach different lessons, reward different players, and cost very different amounts. What each path actually provides, what college coaches watch for, and how to decide what your athlete needs right now.
Sep 4, 2026
College basketball recruiting follows a clear year-by-year timeline. What matters from freshman through senior year — grades, film, AAU placement, contact periods, and signing decisions — so families stay ahead instead of scrambling.
Sep 4, 2026
Strength training is safe for teen basketball players when it’s done the right way. Why technique comes before adding weight, which movements build basketball strength, and how off-season and in-season programs differ for ages 13–17.
Sep 4, 2026
Ankle sprains are the most common injury in youth basketball — and largely preventable. What the research shows about lace-up braces, neuromuscular warm-ups, and footwear, and when an ankle injury needs a doctor.
Sep 4, 2026
NIL lets high school basketball players earn from their name, image, and likeness — but the rules change state by state. What NIL looks like in 2026, what deals are really worth, and how families protect eligibility.
Sep 4, 2026
Basketball IQ isn’t a gift kids are born with — it’s a trainable skill. Read-and-react drills, point-and-call spacing, small-sided games, and film habits that teach young players to make smarter decisions under pressure.
Sep 4, 2026
The right food choices give teen basketball players the energy to play hard and recover fast. Pre-game meals, halftime fueling, the 30–60-minute recovery window, tournament-day planning, and what to avoid.
Sep 4, 2026
ACL injuries are among the most serious in youth basketball — and research shows they’re often preventable. How tears happen, why girls face higher risk, and what programs like PEP and Sportsmetrics actually teach.
Sep 4, 2026