Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Valentine.
Hi Robert, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Basketball has always been my first love. I always wanted to be a pro player and I reached that goal. Play in places like England, Europe and China. While playing, I always wanted to help other players get better so in the summers, I would train players. Ten years ago, I met a guy that worked in the Filipino community of basketball and he gave me my first job as a trainer. Working with him, I was able to travel as a trainer for the first time going to Manila and learning the culture and game out there. Moving forward, I found myself yet again playing and training in basketball this time in China. I was offered a training job by two pro players one being Ater Majok and the other being Russ Smith (NCAA champion).
During that season Ater was outstandingly efficient and Russ set the world record for most points average in a single professional season at 61.3 a game. The next step was coming home and being around my friends and family and building up the game of basketball in the land of LA. I reached out to a long-term friend, brother, and mentor Keion Kindred he allowed to learn under him and grow as a trainer never handcuffing me to a style or a vision but allowing me to create my own. Summer of 2017, I started working with some great players and friends. I built bonds that will last the test of time. He also gave me the ability to work with the women’s side of the game developing great bonds and understanding of how passionate women are about the sport. 2018 after a lot of prep and hard work through the year, I was granted my first NBA Pre Draft camp and the experience was amazing. Now fast forward to today four years into the professional training game. I have my own facility in Chatsworth, CA. I have a current AAU team which is name Valentine Elite Basketball.
This stage in my life, I have become the Middle Child shout out to Jcole I’m a big brother to some little brother to others. Constantly staying a student of the game learning daily developing new young talent and creating pros. While also keeping the pro players I work with ready and able to kill at a moment’s notice. I truly love the game of basketball and I am always here for players that want to learn the game. 2020 was not the great year we hoped it to be we lost a lot and I feel gained so little, not all bad tho I worked with some great players built some new connections and learned some new things. One thing that was really awesome was getting to work with and help my now friend Faatimah A. Who runs the WUBA up in the Bay Area. Me and her trained also and handsome battles on the court she is a true hooper and great person. I got to see some friends accomplish goals and see others find themselves. I am very interested to see what 2021 has to offer. I truly appreciate you giving me the time to tell you my journey up until this point.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t view anything as trouble everything is a lesson learned a victory won and a step closer to my goal as a person. My goal is to be the best I can be so I can inspire someone else to be the best of them.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in the 90 percent of basketball and the ability to shot the ball at a very high rate.
What were you like growing up?
I was a Gymrat I never left the gym and didn’t have too many friends; I was always focused on the game and I guess it stems to childhood my family did nothing but sports growing up Basketball was just my favorite sport and I excelled at it quickly.
Contact Info:
- Email: Realtrainingfocus@gmail.com
- Instagram: @pt_flash
