The ascent of a women basketball coach expert : Keith Graves

Who is Keith Graves and a few of his women basketball coaching thoughts: How to Become a Professional Female Basketball Player? Be humble and lead by example. Care about the team by being selfless and not concerned about your name in the paper. Do the little things well, serve others and you will be blessed. Find the separators. God has given each of us natural abilities. A girl who is 6’3″ as a sophomore, really quick, long and strong may not have good skills but she will get letters from Division 1 programs. Coaches recruit body types. If you genetically do not have a Division 1 build, you have a much harder road. You have to rise above the multitude of athletes who all have the same dream. You have to find the separators: speed, strength, wisdom, leadership, shooting, passing, impeccable skills, and the WILL to work harder than your competition. Discover additional information at Keith Graves.

The Women’s National Basketball Association is a viable path for women to pursue the dream of playing basketball at a professional level. Getting there is difficult, however, as only 1 percent of female college basketball players go on to play professional women’s basketball, according to the Georgia Career Information Center. Develop your basketball skills as much as possible, both with a team and on your own time. For any sport, your ability to play that sport well will be a central factor in getting to play professionally. Ball handling, passing and shooting are all necessary skills.

Albany native Keith Graves has achieved success in his basketball coaching career in a very unique place : Asia

“When I first came here, I immediately started helping the kids here because they played hard, but we lacked fundamentals and the kids didn’t know how to react to how the defender is playing you! I left the USA and took on a brand new journey, and I love Yangon, Myanmar. The Country embraced me, and I just felt like the country immediately gave me a chance. The Hong Kong Burmese people in Yangon work so hard, so it really made me all in, and that’s how I paid my respect! Myanmar has helped me revitalize my life, and I love it here. I had the opportunity to go coach in the WNBA as an assistant coach starting in June, but I just wanted to build something special here!

“What Yangon, Myanmar has done for me and the opportunities that PAIS and the federation have given me, the least I can do is give back! Being able to be the Athletic Director in Myanmar to help create change here is really positive, and it’s uplifting not only for me and my family but for the next generation! I think the Myanmar Market for Football, Futsal, Basketball, and Volleyball is going to be really big in the next 2 years,” Keith Said.

“Yangon, Myanmar is home for me. In the home, it’s not about reading, it’s about feeling,” he said, adding that he likes connecting with people so they can understand his feelings and his love for the country. Keith noted he also feels grateful that Burmese people talk to him in English as he feels his Burmese is F-Grade, and that he always appreciates the love and hospitality that Burmese, Chinese, & Korean people have shown to him. I also would like to thank Principal Lewis for bringing me here, and I can assure you in the next 6 months people will hear about the PAIS athletic program and how they play fast, how they play hard and how we are academically. The Goal is to get as many NJCAA, NCAA, USCAA, NAIA, ACCA, VIETNAM, KOREAN, AND CHINESE COLLEGE COACHES & NCCAA college coaches to come to our campus to see our student athletes. We have players here that just do not have the resources, but I am hoping me and several other coaches can make an impact.

As someone from the US, Keith said that he believes that if Americans really want to learn about Myanmar, they should visit and stay for more than a week or a month. “People need to be able to come to Myanmar and experience it more to be able to understand each other so that they can immerse themselves into the culture, to be able to learn and have a better understanding,” he said. The Burmese people here are amazing, loving and they love everyone! Keith has signed a 3-year deal with PAIS & with the Pro Development Women Basketball Team! Keith states his goal is to turn PAIS into a TOP 100 Ranked program in ASIA. As you look below, here is a copy of Keith’s Coaching Accomplishments.

Keith Graves has made news headlines around Asia as one of the sport’s best coaches in the 14- and 16-year-old divisions. He lives in Hong Kong, where he serves as head coach at Harrow International and Dream Sports Academy, leading aspiring and talented youth to realize their potential and pursue their dreams as professionals in the sport.

“I decided to make the journey to Asia a number of years ago to specifically coach youth,” Graves said. “Asia is a great place to coach and I am so thrilled to be here coaching and leading seven teams to the Final Four in the Hong Kong Games. I have found that while kids in Asia are not necessarily stronger than kids in America, they are definitely very fast.”

Recently, Graves made history in Hong Kong, winning his 10th championship and boasting an 18-1 record. Additionally, Graves received the prestigious Coach of the Year award for 14-and-under girls and boys, and 16-and-under girls and boys. He also helps some of his best student-athletes connect with schools and colleges.

Graves has hosted free basketball clinics, along with giving away free gear, equipment and much more, for children in Xi’an, China and other parts of Asia.

“I think it’s so important to give back to the community to show my respect to my students, and to the sport,” said Graves. “I plan to be here for a very long time and look forward to the challenges and victories we will experience in the years to come.”

Career Coaching Accomplishments

As a Head Coach:

– 2015 National Champion
– 2015 Regional Champion
– 2020 Provincial Champion (14u, 16u, 18u, 20u, 22u)
– 6x Region Coach of the Year (2015 NACA National Coach of the Year)
– 2018 National North Champion (Men)
– 2018 NIAA State Champion (Men)
– 2018 NIAA National Champion (Men)
– 2023 HKYCBL Champion

As an Assistant Coach:

– 2012 NJCAA D3 Runner Up
– 2018 Title IX National Champion
– 2018 National North Champion
– 2018 Independent School National Champion Girls Elite Division
– 2018 NCSAA National Champion Division 1AAA
– 2018 NIAA State Champion (Women)
– 2018 NIAA National Champion (Women)