KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) on Monday announced the formation of the NABC Player Development Coalition, a diverse collection of Division I men’s basketball student-athletes that will provide valuable perspective and feedback on college basketball issues.
In addition to creating a vehicle for student-athletes to address current issues, the Player Development Coalition will also provide members with numerous professional and personal development experiences. The coalition will meet quarterly and have regular opportunities to address the NABC Board of Directors and NCAA committees.
“Our priority as coaches is to support student-athlete development both on and off the court,” said NABC Executive Director Craig Robinson. “As the NABC continues its advocacy and policy work on issues impacting our game, it’s vital that input from student-athletes be central to those efforts. Whether it’s NIL, transfer parameters, social justice, COVID-19 or a host of other important topics currently impacting college basketball, we will make sure student-athletes’ voices are heard.”
“We will also structure the Player Development Coalition to be an impactful experience that benefits these young men well beyond their college years,” added Robinson.
Members of the initial Player Development Coalition are North Carolina’s Armando Bacot, Colorado’s Evan Battey, Kentucky’s Keion Brooks, Jr., Harvard’s Kale Catchings, Villanova’s Collin Gillespie, Gonzaga’s Corey Kispert, Michigan State’s Joshua Langford, Duke’s Wendell Moore, Jr., TCU’s RJ Nembhard, Syracuse’s Bourama Sidibe and High Point’s John-Michael Wright.
“I am honored to be named Duke’s representative for the NABC Players Development Coalition,” said Duke’s Moore, Jr. “This is a tremendous opportunity to have players’ voices heard on the many pertinent issues facing college basketball. As a coalition, we are excited to become part of, not simply the recipients of the NCAA’s decision-making process. We appreciate the NABC being forward-thinking in this regard. I am anxious to get started.”
“I am excited to be asked to be a part of the newly-formed NABC Player Development Coalition,” added TCU’s Nembhard. “I look forward to representing the players in college and the Big 12 as we enter the ever-changing landscape of college basketball.”
2020-21 NABC Player Development Coalition Roster
Armando Bacot, North Carolina – So.
Evan Battey, Colorado – Jr.
Keion Brooks, Jr., Kentucky – So.
Kale Catchings, Harvard – Jr.
Collin Gillespie, Villanova – Sr.
Corey Kispert, Gonzaga – Sr.
Joshua Langford, Michigan State – Sr.
Wendell Moore, Jr., Duke – So.
RJ Nembhard, TCU – Jr.
Bourama Sidibe, Syracuse – Sr.
John-Michael Wright, High Point – So.
