Meet Tony Dunn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Dunn.

Hi Tony, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a basketball skills trainer and coach based in Los Angeles, CA. I’ve been around the game of basketball my entire life. My dad played professionally overseas, so I was exposed to it early. I spent time living in places like Taiwan, Portugal, Tunisia, and Jordan, but grew up mostly in the States, back and forth between Portland, OR (where I was born) and Inglewood, CA. I played throughout elementary, middle, and high school and at El Camino College in 2013-2014, then Clark College the following season, where we were fortunate enough to win the NWAC Championship. Afterward, I stepped away from basketball for a few years. In 2019, I began coaching with the boy’s varsity basketball team at Geffen Academy at UCLA. In 2022, I started a training business and entered AAU ball, coaching with Sports Academy Swish GBL’s 17 National girls team. This past season I joined Cal State University, Dominguez Hills’ women’s basketball team as an assistant coach focused on player development and opponent scouting. It was a special year; we were able to win the CCAA Conference Champion and NCAA Division II Championship. I’ve been fortunate to be back around the game at this stage of my life and to be able to play a role in the development of so many amazing young humans, on and off the court.

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?
It’s been equal parts challenging and fulfilling. Things have definitely changed, for better and for worse, in terms of how we develop and communicate with athletes, how we manage expectations, how we deal with issues around playing time, the recruitment process, transferring, etc. It puts you in a constant refinement process personally and professionally, but I love it because it keeps me curious and keeps me growing. Since re-entering the world of basketball several years ago, I’ve had to continue to give myself permission to show certain qualities that wouldn’t be as well received in other environments. It’s a very unique industry and the demands are different. I think one of the biggest challenges outside of that has been reimagining ways to give energy to the game as a trainer and coach now as opposed to as a player then.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I work with athletes of all ages. I specialize in skill development and enhancement with a focus on ball handling, footwork, shooting, and finishing. I’ve trained elementary, middle, and high school players, NCAA Division I, II, and III players, pros overseas, and NBA G-League players. I’ve trained, coached, and mentored dozens of high school players who’ve gone on to earn athletic and academic scholarships all over the country. I’ve helped college players develop the skills necessary to fulfill their respective roles for their teams and pros go from minimal playing time to earning MVP honors in their league. I really value patience, attention to detail, and a conversational approach when training. Learning to play the game can happen in a myriad of ways, but it requires a certain level of curiosity and attentiveness to identify problems and work in tandem with athletes to find solutions. Helping them access their creativity and confidence in the process of that is one of the best parts of what I do. I believe in meeting people where they are and I’m passionate about helping athletes at all skill levels, whether they are learning the sport for fun, just wanting to get some exercise in, or desire to compete at a higher level.

Contact Info:

• Website: lwbsbb.com