Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Furtado
Hi Justin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my journey at the University of Oregon, where I took a coaching class that completely changed my path. I loved it so much that I started a class at the Boys and Girls Club and went on to coach recreational basketball for two years with Kidsports. In 2021, I moved to LA and joined Royal Basketball School. I quickly worked my way up from head coach of a gym to becoming the director of training coaches.
After gaining experience and insight, I decided to venture out on my own and founded BTG Basketball. My goal was to create an experience that helps kids grow not only in basketball but also in life. Alongside building BTG, I spent two years coaching at Venice High School as the frosh-soph coach. Currently, I’m the JV boys basketball coach at Pacifica Christian in Santa Monica. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m passionate about continuing to help kids develop both on and off the court.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Moving to LA during the pandemic was a huge challenge in itself. Coming from a small town in the Pacific Northwest, adjusting to such a massive city felt overwhelming at times. I often felt lonely and missed the close-knit community and natural beauty of the PNW. LA was so different—it’s fast-paced, and finding my place here took time.
On top of that, starting my own business hasn’t been far from easy. One of the biggest hurdles was simply securing gym time; LA is a crowded city, and getting space to run my programs has been a real struggle. Even now, I’m putting in countless hours to create something special with BTG Basketball—an experience that goes beyond the game and makes a real impact on kids’ lives. Balancing that vision with the day-to-day grind has been tough, but it also drives me to keep pushing forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
BTG Basketball is more than just a basketball training program—it’s an experience designed to help kids grow both on and off the court. We specialize in building fundamental basketball skills, but what sets us apart is our commitment to developing character, discipline, and life skills through the game. We don’t just teach basketball; we use it as a tool to help kids learn teamwork, leadership, resilience, and self-confidence, which they can apply to all areas of their lives.
One thing I’m most proud of is how we focus on creating a positive and supportive environment where every child feels valued. Whether a beginner or an advanced player, our goal is to challenge them at their level while also helping them develop a love for the game. We offer individualized attention, small group sessions, club teams and camps, always aiming to ensure each kid gets the guidance they need to grow.
What makes BTG stand out is that we’re not just building athletes, we’re building well-rounded individuals. I want readers to know that when their kids join BTG, they’re not only becoming better basketball players—they’re also gaining tools to navigate life with confidence, purpose, and resilience. My mission is to go beyond the game of basketball and create something that impacts kids for years to come well beyond when the ball stops bouncing.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something surprising that most people might not know about me is that I’m from a tiny area in Humboldt County, where my 8th grade class had just 16 kids in it. Growing up in such a small, tight-knit community had a big impact on me. There was a huge emphasis on community and giving back, and those values are a core part of who I am today. That sense of responsibility to others is what drives me in my work with BTG Basketball. I aim to create that same feeling of community for the kids I coach, and I always try to give back by using basketball as a way to teach life lessons that go beyond the game.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://btgbasketball.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/btg_basketball/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/btgbball/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@btg_basketball
