Designed for ages 6 to 18, the DreamTeam Academy specializes in teaching children and teens the crucial fundamentals of basketball by a professional coaching staff that includes all former collegiate basketball players. For many kids with serious “hoop dreams†who aspire to one day play basketball in high school, college, or maybe even professionally in the NBA, learning and practicing basketball here may feel like a dream come true.
“When we couldn’t find what we were looking for, we decided to build it ourselves,†says Mimi Sommers, the founder, owner, and ‘mom’ of the DreamTeam Academy. “When my husband and I moved to Scottsdale from the Bay area in 2016, we simply couldn’t find a basketball training facility for our 9-year-old son that had the professional, experienced basketball coaches that we wanted.â€
The Sommers eventually were introduced to Coach Jevon Estelle - a renowned, 6’1, former basketball player for Grand Canyon University - and decided that with the help and guidance from “Coach Von,†they would open up their own first-of-its-kind basketball training facility and kids’ social club. They aptly named it the DreamTeam Academy (DTA) and built it in a large, two-level facility in the heart of the Scottsdale Airpark.
In the two and a half years since their doors opened, more than 2,000 kids from across the Valley have enrolled in their weekly, after-school training program. Their students not only attend basketball classes during the week, they also sign up for special Saturday clinics, competitive weekend tournaments, holiday and summer day camps, and occasional Friday evening “Kids’ Night Out†events.
What really sets DTA’s program apart from others is the fact that Coach Von and the other coaches take the time to properly teach children crucial basketball terminology and the important ABC’s of the game, Sommers says. Coach Von calls it “basketball IQ building†and he gently quizzes all the children in the academy on their individual knowledge of the game.
“We don’t just teach shooting, passing, and dribbling here,†says Coach Von. “We also spend a lot of time talking about proper passing, ball handling, and footwork, and we make sure every child has a clear understanding of the game.â€
While Coach Von works as the athletic director and head coach, Sommers works as the operations director.
“Mimi is a wonderful matriarch of the club and brings a personal aspect to it that other clubs tend to lack,†says Pierre Smith of Scottsdale who has two sons, a 3rd grader and 6th grader, enrolled. “The coaches here are knowledgeable, professional and energetic, and have the right mix of discipline and fun to keep the kids motivated.â€
Not only does the facility feature a beautiful, brightly lit basketball gymnasium with all the necessary sports and conditioning equipment, there’s also an upstairs lounge area for kids to relax, play, and socialize in after school and on the weekends. The upstairs Kids’ Club Level Lounge features video game consoles, a movie watching area, books and board games, chess sets, and there’s even a quiet homework room where kids can read and study. There are also several, giant, soothing massage chairs - upstairs and downstairs - that both kids and parents are encouraged to enjoy.
Another big part of what parents love about DTA, adds Sommers, is their special “Code of Conduct†that emphasizes good sportsmanship, camaraderie, and that kids are responsible for their own behavior and actions. The children enrolled are strongly encouraged to do their best and be their best both on and off the basketball court.
“We often get kids who sign up with us because they had tried out for their junior high or high school team and they either didn’t make the team but want to try out again, or, they’re currently on a team but are constantly being benched,†says Sommers. “Our main goal at DreamTeam Academy is to cater to each and every player and build on the skills that they currently have… We want every child and teenager to have fun exercising, conditioning, and learning the wonderful sport of basketball.â€
