Today we’d like to introduce you to Trey Draper.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up in inner-city Memphis, I’ve always wanted to be a basketball coach, simply because the sport itself changed my life. Basketball provided many opportunities for me that I could never imagine. As a graduate of Mitchell High School and the University of Memphis, I learned core values of loyalty, work ethic, and integrity all of which helped me become the man I am today.
Mitchell High School allotted me my first opportunity to coach basketball while also impacting the community where I grew up. Most definitely a full-circle experience that I am most grateful for. Kelvin Meeks and Andre Turner provided me with the opportunity to return to my alma mater at the age of 22. At this time, it was frowned upon to hire an assistant basketball coach at the high school level with no experience at such a young age with those two men, who didn’t care.
Outside of my family, Mr. Meeks and Andre Turner believed in me before it became such a popular thing to do, and I appreciate them for that, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the life experiences that Mitchell High school taught me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not but rough times build character and adversity reveal the true character of a man, my dad is my biggest supporter and my hero those are some words that he taught me at an early age. One of the biggest struggles that I dealt with is finding the self-confidence to know that I am really good at my job.
After leaving Mitchell High School in 2018, I moved to Florida and became the assistant basketball coach at the IMG Academy. Even after winning the first national championship in school history, finishing the year ranked the #1 high school basketball team in the country, coaching multiple McDonald’s all Americans, Jordan brand all Americans, and even NBA prospects, during the pandemic I was the only basketball coach throughout the whole Academy to be furloughed.
By far the biggest struggle of my career to date, I dealt with self-doubt and was confused about why I was the one chosen to be furloughed out of 60. But God doesn’t make mistakes and with the support of my mom dad and sister, and close friends. I was able to gain that confidence back, and understand that I was one of the best basketball minds in the country.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I feel that I am a jack of all trades, there isn’t anything in the sports industry that I feel like I don’t have access to.
Whether it’s simple training, Coaching, media access, mentorship, or just a simple phone call for one of my athletes I feel like my team and I provide all of those necessary qualities that they need to be successful, a true “One Stop Shop” and if I can’t do something or have access to it someone in my phone contact does, that’s what makes our training team a true unicorn operation.
I believe this sets me apart from anyone else. I’m very big on relationships and building genuine friendships. Very cliché, but treat others how you want to be treated. I am truly most proud of all of my athlete’s success, whether I’ve coached them or trained them their success is always at the forefront of my mind.
I’m one of the most loyal individuals you would ever meet so I always tell my athletes your success is my success and your failures are my failures. You would never have to walk that journey alone.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My mom Wanda Draper, dad Leonard Draper, and sister Erika Draper for sure, they’ve been there every step of the way. Of course my family, and friends also. It’s so many mentors to name that if I begin to I would leave someone off. Most definitely shout out to my team, Mo Wells, JT Thomas, UJ Johnson, and Faret Estriplet.
All young successful African-American pioneers in the sports community, I wouldn’t be where I am today without their love and support. Loyalty is everything and they provide that. Oh yes, can’t forget about Will Wade, the only college coach to ever respond to me via email after thousands of handwritten letters trying to just get a foot in the door.
Much love to Coach Wade for that and for giving me my first collegiate opportunity as a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. As I said, I could go on and on about people who have impacted my life. But these individuals deserve their flowers.
Contact Info:
- Email: Homet3amhoops@gmail.com
- Instagram: @treydraper3
- Facebook: Trey Draper
- Twitter: @treydraper3
Image Credits:
@ShotByNie, @theMeghanMitchell, and @Goodshotant
Vickie Finch
May 17, 2022 at 9:44 pm
The name Draper is a name noted for Loyalty, respect, and determination in Memphis. Trey’s up bringing by his parents and grandparents are well noted for success. He is the prime example of what all mothers wish their sons were. I’m not surprised at his accomplishments because that what Draper’s do(the impossible).