About your basketball coach

Dick Gillespie is a versatile basketball talent whose journey from high-school point guard to college standout has shaped his dynamic coaching philosophy today. As a freshman and sophomore, he orchestrated his high school offense from the point-guard position, displaying exceptional ball-handling and court vision. A remarkable 8-inch growth spurt over one summer elevated him to 6’5″—a move inside to center for his junior season—where his guard-like quickness and shooting touch from 14–15 feet routinely surprised bigger opponents. By his senior year, standing 6’8″, Dick seamlessly blended the responsibilities of a guard/forward, expanding his range with pull-up jumpers and locking down opponents with tenacious defense and relentless rebounding on both ends of the court. Dick’s leadership earned him captaincy and MVP honors on one of twelve USA select teams—and though he narrowly missed the final Olympic roster, he captained an undefeated tour through England, France, Holland, and Belgium. His performance drew 37 Division I scholarship offers, ultimately leading him to the University of Connecticut. At UConn, Dick excelled as a shooting guard and wing, helping the Huskies secure three consecutive conference championships. His passion for player development was recognized early when he was tapped as a counselor at the prestigious Five-Star Camp, where he spent his summers refining high-school stars’ skills under NBA pros by day—and coaching scrimmages and game situations by afternoon and evening. Transitioning from the hardwood to the boardroom, Dick has spent his post-college career in advertising sales and management, building and leading high-performance teams. He still lives by the three pillars instilled in him by his college coach: Get the most out of your ability every day. Earn the respect and admiration of your teammates and coworkers. Provide a service to mankind. Today, Dick applies these principles to every aspect of his coaching and consulting work—teaching the right fundamentals, crafting winning strategies, and helping players “sink that big shot” when it matters most. With a proven track record as a player, mentor, and leader, he looks forward to empowering the next generation of athletes to reach their fullest potential.