Team LEADERS - Empower ME Academy | Basketball Skill & Leadership Development

We don’t chase trophies.
We build LEADERS.

OUR PURPOSE

We exist to shape more than just basketball players–we develop leaders who inspire, uplift, and dominate with purpose. Through our unique approach, we empower young people not only to play the game but to understand it and use it as a tool for impact. Our aim is to nurture confident communicators, disciplined decision-makers, and resilient leaders, both on the court and in their communities.

Founded by former pro Coach Jerome Gumbs, renowned for combining elite standards with deep empathy, EMA Leaders is for families who seek more than weekend trophies. This is a movement, not just a program. Basketball might be the vehicle, but leadership is the destination. Our goal is to transforms young athletes into the best versions of themselves. EMA LEADERS stands against the burnout culture and highlight-chasing chaos of traditional youth basketball.

"We try to develop Steph Currys—and when they retire, they become Nelson Mandelas." _Coach Gumbs

We don’t just say them, we live them.

These values are the heartbeat of everything we do, from warm-ups to huddles to how we handle adversity.

WE’RE NOT HERE TO BURN PLAYERS OUT.
WE’RE HERE TO BUILD THEM UP.

AS A PARENT WILL NOTICE THAT YOUR CHILD:

Walks taller
Speaks with purpose
Treats others with care & confidence
Has a healthier relationship with competition

OUR PLAYERS FEEL:

Belonging
Direction
Growth

Higher IQ
Prepared

"FIRST-CLASS ORGANIZATION. THE COACHING, THE LEADERSHIP, The Administration, The Philosophy, EVERYTHING”
_JeD KATZ, EMA PARENT

If your child is:

Serious about development, Hungry to grow and open to being coached the right way—Then this is their home.

Practice player opportunities are available for both levels

Our structure is modeled after collegiate programs, tailored for middle school athletes.

TRAINING FORMAT
2 practices per week
Film Room: 5:30 PM
On-Court Training: 6:00–8:15 PM
1 G365 tournament/month
Monthly scrimmages with elite, values-aligned clubs

DEVELOPMENT COMPONENTS
Strength & Conditioning in USF’s collegiate weight room 2 -4 times a month

FREE-Play Weekends: structured skill work and open gym on Saturdays, followed by 2 hours of intense open gym on Sundays

Skills Pods: Small group sessions (4–20 players) for deep, individualized instruction

OUR CULTURE IS THE SYSTEM. IT’S THE STANDARD. IT’S THE WIN.

At EMA, every practice is a masterclass in leadership

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

We open every session with a defensive & offensive emphasis of the day.

ACTIVE LISTENING

No bouncing balls. Eyes up. This is a non-negotiable.

ACCOUNTABILITY

All players will own their own mistakes. This is the norm.

UNIFIED RITUAL

2 claps, 4 claps, 6 claps…we create rhythm, identity while strengthening chemistry.

HELPFUL HANDS

Lifting each other off the floor makes helping an instinct not a chore.

ALL ARE EQUAL

Practice players are treated as just as vital to the success of the team as our starting five—they train, they grow, they lead.

Transformative Travel

Once a year, our players travel to Europe or the U.S. Virgin Islands, which is Coach Gumbs' home base. These trips are not just to compete, but to connect. To serve. To grow. We will push your children out of their comfort zones and into new perspectives. They come home not just better players, but better people.

GET INVOLVED

New teams will launch this fall and recalibrate every six months. Each age group will include a Gold Team (top squad), a Blue Team, and spots for Practice Players. This structure is intentional, it protects our culture, upholds our standards, and provides room for the next generation of leaders to grow.

At EMA Leaders, we don’t do open tryouts–we hold a Culture Combine. This isn’t about highlights; it’s about testing character, revealing leadership, and ensuring fit matters more than flair.

This isn’t a tryout. It’s a proving ground.

August 19–22
University of San Francisco

During our Culture Combine, players are evaluated for skill, mindset, leadership, and alignment with our values. The best hoopers, and the best teammates—earn a spot.

Excited to announce that a Girls’ development team is in the works. If your daughter is ready, her moment is coming.

The hardest workers, strongest leaders, and best teammates earn a spot.

We don’t chase trophies.We build LEADERS.