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Will Spradling, a native of Overland Park, Kansas, is a former college basketball player who has since transitioned into coaching. Spradling had a decorated college career at Kansas State University, where he achieved rare milestones and led his team to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Following his playing days, Spradling pursued his passion for coaching and started the Spradling Skills Academy in 2014 to help young athletes reach their potential in basketball and life. In addition to his work at the academy, Spradling has also been a high school basketball coach, impacting the lives of young players both on and off the court.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founder | Will Spradling |
| Year founded | 2014 |
| Mission | To develop attitude and skills while also helping young athletes reach their dreams of playing basketball at a high level |
| Founder's alma mater | Kansas State University |
| Founder's high school | Shawnee Mission South High School |
| Founder's hometown | Overland Park, Kansas |
| Founder's career highlights | One of a select few players in K-State history to finish with 1,000 points, 300 assists, 300 rebounds, and 100 steals |
| Founder's current role | Head boys basketball coach at St. Marys High School |
| Other coaches | Kelly Moylan, Matt, Tony |
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What You'll Learn
Will Spradling's basketball career
Will Spradling is a former college basketball player and current coach. Spradling grew up in Overland Park, Kansas, and attended Shawnee Mission South High School. Standing at 6'2" to 6'4", he played as a point guard and shooting guard.
Spradling went on to play college basketball for Kansas State University on a full-ride scholarship, where he studied for a degree in Business Management. He was a key part of the team, helping the Kansas State Wildcats reach the NCAA Tournament for four consecutive years and winning a Big 12 regular-season title. He is one of only four players in the university's history to achieve over 1,000 points, 300 assists, 300 rebounds, and 100 steals in their college career.
Some of his notable performances include a game on February 4, 2012, where he scored 19 points, with 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block, and a game on February 10, 2014, where he grabbed 6 rebounds and scored 15 points, with 5 assists and 3 steals.
Spradling's love for the game and his alma mater has continued into his coaching career. He has been the head boys' basketball coach at St. Marys High School since 2017, where he also teaches. He also founded the Spradling Skills Academy in 2014, which aims to help young athletes reach their potential and achieve their basketball dreams.
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Coaching philosophy
Will Spradling's coaching philosophy is centred around his love and passion for the game of basketball, with a focus on helping young athletes reach their full potential both on and off the court. Spradling, a former standout player at Kansas State University, wants to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation, helping them to achieve their dreams of playing basketball at a high level.
Spradling's coaching philosophy is heavily influenced by his own background and experiences. Having grown up in Overland Park, Kansas, and attended Shawnee Mission South High School, he understands the importance of hard work and dedication to achieve success. He was a consistent and high-performing player throughout his college career, known for his all-around game, and this is something he instils in his players, pushing them to be the best they can be.
A key aspect of Spradling's coaching philosophy is his belief in the importance of character development. He wants to encourage high character, selflessness, passion and energy in his players, helping them to grow as individuals as well as athletes. He is a strong role model for his players, and his own experiences allow him to relate to the young people he coaches, giving them someone to look up to and aspire to emulate.
Spradling also places a strong emphasis on the fundamentals of the game. As a former guard, he understands the importance of skill development and works with his players to improve their all-around abilities. He runs clinics and helps with teams, sharing his knowledge and expertise to develop the skills and attitudes of young athletes.
The impact of Spradling's coaching can be seen in the success of his players, both on and off the court. He has helped guide young athletes to achieve their dreams of playing basketball at a high level, with some going on to have successful college careers. Spradling's coaching philosophy is, therefore, a proven method for developing young players and helping them to grow and improve.
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Notable achievements
Will Spradling, a native of Overland Park, Kansas, boasts an impressive basketball career and a passion for coaching youth in the sport. Spradling's notable achievements on the court have paved the way for his impactful work as a mentor and guide to young athletes.
During his high school career at Shawnee Mission South, Spradling showcased his talent and earned accolades such as being named to the Kansas City Star's All-Johnson County Boys' team in both 2007-08 and 2008-09. He also stood out as the conference Freshman and Sophomore of the Year. As a junior, he averaged an impressive 23.2 points per game before an unfortunate calf injury in 2009.
Spradling's success continued at Kansas State University, where he attended on a full-ride scholarship. He excelled as a guard, standing at 6'2" and weighing 185 lbs. His consistency and skill contributed to the team's success, making him one of the winningest players in K-State history. Spradling helped the team achieve 92 wins and four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. He is one of only four players in K-State history to achieve the remarkable feat of producing 1,000 points, 300 assists, 300 rebounds, and 100 steals over his college career.
Spradling's passion for basketball and mentoring led him to establish the Spradling Skills Academy in 2014. Through this academy, he aims to help young men and women unlock their full potential, both on and off the court. His coaching career began at St. Marys High School, where he has been coaching since 2017, impacting not only the players but also their families. Spradling's own experiences as a father have shaped his approach to coaching, allowing him to connect with his players and guide them through their challenges and triumphs.
The impact of Will Spradling's basketball career and coaching journey extends beyond the court. His dedication to the sport and his community has created a lasting legacy, inspiring young athletes to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential.
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Spradling Skills Academy
Will Spradling, a native of Overland Park, Kansas, is the founder of Spradling Skills Academy. He grew up playing basketball and attended Shawnee Mission South High School. He then went on to play for Kansas State University on a full-ride scholarship, where he had a successful college basketball career. Spradling was a key player for K-State, helping the team reach the NCAA Tournament for four consecutive years and achieving impressive statistics.
After his college career, Spradling pursued his passion for coaching and started the Spradling Skills Academy in 2014. The academy aims to help young men and women achieve their full potential, both on and off the basketball court. Spradling wants to pass on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of basketball players. He is dedicated to developing their skills and attitudes, helping them grow as athletes and individuals.
Spradling is also a coach at St. Marys High School, where he has been in charge of the basketball team since 2017. He chose to coach at the high school level to stay close to his family and impact the lives of young athletes. Spradling's own experiences as a father have influenced his coaching style and perspective. He is grateful for the opportunity to teach the game he loves to the next generation.
The Spradling Skills Academy is more than just a basketball camp; it is a platform for Spradling to inspire and mentor young athletes. He serves as a role model for the students, sharing his journey and the dedication it took to succeed. Spradling's academy provides a holistic development experience, focusing on both athletic skills and personal growth, reflecting his commitment to shaping the lives of young people through basketball.
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Personal life
Will Spradling was born on June 7, 1991, in Columbia, Missouri, to parents Shannon and Misty Spradling. He grew up in Overland Park, Kansas and attended Shawnee Mission South High School.
Spradling's talent for basketball was evident early on. In high school, he averaged 17.2 points and 4.9 assists per game as a sophomore and was named to the Kansas City Star's All-Johnson County Boys' team in both 2007-08 and 2008-09. He also demonstrated his academic prowess, earning a full-ride scholarship to Kansas State University (K-State), where he received a degree in Business Management in 2014.
Spradling's success continued at K-State, where he was a standout player for the men's basketball team. He was a consistent performer, making 105 starts and appearing in 134 total games. He helped lead the team to 92 wins and four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, solidifying his place among the program's winningest players. Spradling's all-around excellence was highlighted by his achievement of producing 1,000 points, 300 assists, 300 rebounds, and 100 steals over his college career, a feat accomplished by only a handful of players in K-State history.
After his impressive playing career, Spradling transitioned into coaching, a path he had always envisioned for himself. He chose to coach at the high school level to remain close to his family, which includes his wife, Meagan, and their three children. Spradling has been the head boys' basketball coach at St. Marys High School since 2017, where he enjoys guiding young athletes both on and off the court. He also started the Spradling Skills Academy in 2014 to help young men and women reach their full potential.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Spradling grew up in Overland Park, Kansas, and attended Shawnee Mission South High School. He then went to Kansas State University on a full-ride scholarship, where he received his degree in Business Management. He is one of the winningest players in the university's basketball history.
Will Spradling started the Spradling Skills Academy (SSA) Basketball Academy in 2014. The academy aims to help young men and women reach their full potential on and off the court.
Will Spradling is the head coach at St. Mary's High School boys' basketball team. Other coaches at SSA Basketball Academy include Kelly Moylan, who is an assistant coach at Manhattan High girls' basketball, and Tony, who has over 25 years of basketball coaching experience.
The mission of the SSA Basketball Academy is to develop attitude and skills while helping young athletes reach their dreams of playing basketball at a high level. Will Spradling wants to be a great role model for kids to follow their basketball dreams and grow on and off the court.
