Percy Gordon - GA Pistols 16U/17U

In a short period of time the GA Pistols Elite 16U/17U AAU Team under the direction of Head Coach Percy Gordon and his assistant coaches have formed one ot the top programs in the state of Georgia; after sitting down with Coach Gordon on Coaches Corner I was able to see why the program is on it's way to even greater heights.

L.A.: When you recruit a girl for your program what are you looking for as far as her game and personality?
Coach Gordon: First and foremost, they need to be good young ladies that I feel comfortable with having around my kids and family. Next, I look at their work ethic and dedication to skill development.

L.A.: How is your team shaping up for the summer?
Coach Gordon: The team is shaping up really well, the young ladies have bought into the notion that individual players make up the team. So, they are working hard on improving their skills but keeping the team first.

L.A.: A lot of nationally known AAU programs are usually sponsored by one of the big shoe companies like Nike, Adidas etc.; what are the advantages and disadvantages of being sponsored by a big company?
Coach Gordon: I think the biggest advantage is that teams get some financial support (product & money). As I see it, the biggest disadvantage is that those teams do not get a chance to make up their entire schedule, they have to participant in tournaments miles and miles away from home knowing that the vast majority of their players will never play that far from home.

L.A.: Is your emphasis to just teach the girls how to become better basketball players?
Coach Gordon: Our vision has always been to teach life lessons through basketball. We are not just a team, we are family! For us, it is not about just dribbling a ball or scoring a basket. We truly are vested in each player, we want them to be successful on and off the court. We have won a lot of games and tournaments. However, I am most proud of the fact that my 2011 players are NCAA eligible with test scores ranging from 1250 to 1750.

L.A.: How important is it to have the parents buy into what you and your program is trying to teach?
Coach Gordon: It's extremely important for my parent(s) to buy into how we mentally and physically push our young ladies. It's a tough place to play but I am certain that our young ladies will be mentally tough enough to make it at the next level.

L.A.: For some reason a lot of AAU coaches don't like to talk about or let people know who is playing on their teams, why is that?
Coach Gordon: Not really sure but I suspect it is because the AAU circuit is a tough place to coach given that players are always switching clubs/teams.

L.A.: For a long time the boys AAU circuit has been known for being a little shady, lol; meaning a lot of backbiting, programs stealing players from other teams, cash payouts, teams directing players to certain college programs etc. It appears to be more of a business; is the same thing starting to happen on the girls side and if so how do you avoid getting caught up in it?
Coach Gordon: I pray that the girl's game will never end up like the boys. For me, I keep my focus on why I got into helping these young ladies.

L.A.: When you got started were there any programs that you took a look at and sort of started modeling your program after it?
Coach Gordon: Not any AAU programs in particular.

L.A.: There are educational requirements that kids have to meet if they plan on playing college ball, what do you do to help them with understanding what is required?
Coach Gordon: Prior to our young ladies entered high school, we had Mike Gilliam (Opportunities Through Athletics) come onsite and educate our coaches, players and parents on the NCAA requirements.

The Real Deal!

Coach Gordon has the fully attention of his team as he drops some knowledge of the game to them.

L.A.: Ok, I have been skating around the things I really want to ask you but this is the Coaches Corner and readers want to know the real deal. I understand that you have made some big time additions to this year squad and that with those additions the Pistols are ready to bring down some national powers; I'm all ears?
Coach Gordon: Larry you're rough (lol)! I will just say that we are positioned well to make a really good run at a number of top programs this year.

L.A.: Are the Pistols the best 16/17 age group team in the state of Georgia this year and are the Pistols a Top 20 team nationally?
Coach Gordon: We are a real tough cover, in the past we have always been the top of this class in the state. On a nationally level, our focus is on competing and doing well in the major events (Junior Showcase, Boro, USJN and Elite 24/Fila Nationals)

L.A.: I understand that you have a rare DIAMOND on your team this summer; is she the best freshman in the country and if not how close is she to it? Oh, if you don't know about this rare DIAMOND just keep following the Pistols and Norcross H.S. basketball or just ask somebody!
Coach Gordon: Diamond Deshields is an unbelievable talent but more importantly, she is a better person than basketball player. In my opinion, YES... Deshields is the best 2013 player in the country.

L.A.: Which tournaments have you played in so far and how has the team done?
Coach Gordon: We have played in the Peach State Tip-Off and May Day Challenge; we went undefeated (Mississippi Hoop Dreams, Miami Suns, Georgia Elite, WP Celtics, Georgia Blazers and others) in both events.

L.A.: With the new additions to the team how has that impacted the closeness of the team as compared to the team you had last season which had been together for a couple of summers?
Coach Gordon: Our new players were welcomed with open arms, so the chemistry and team camaraderie is really great.

L.A.: How do you handle the college coaches who show interest in your girls; do you get the parents involved when a college inquires?
Coach Gordon: I make sure that the parents and players are in the loop, this recruiting process is for them NOT me. My involvement is to try to make sure that I know which schools are serious versus just window shopping.

......that's the real deal!

L.A.: Coach Gordon as always it has been a pleasure talking to you, good luck this summer. Would you like to make any shout outs?
Coach Gordon: A very special thank you to my beautiful family (Ebony, Amber, Sienna and Little Percy), these guys are my rock and without their encouragement and support none of this would be possible. I also, want give thanks to god, my assistant coaches (Damon & Katrina), team trainers (OCoop, Kevin and Des), team sponsors (Olde Towne, Premiere Global, AirTran, Cobb Energy, Thompson Brothers BBQ, SEIS), a host of high school coaches (Angie Hembree, Ken Sprague, Randy McClure, Karen Duncan, Liz Kennedy, Phyllis Arthur, Sheryl Fowler and Kathy Walton) and Brother Larry (4SHOT Sports)!

Coaches send me an This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you want to drop by the Coaches Corner
This is Larry "L.A." Williams ...PEACE and God Bless!