�� Why Every Athlete Starts with an Evaluation at Watson Basketball Academy

Why Every Athlete Starts with an Evaluation at Watson Basketball Academy

At Watson Basketball Academy, every athlete starts their journey with a 1-hour in-person evaluation — and for good reason.

Parents often ask:

“Why do we need an evaluation before group training?”
The answer is simple: to build a strong foundation for long-term success.

But the evaluation isn’t just about physical skills. It’s about understanding the whole athlete — and the whole family — to create the best training experience possible.

🔍 What I’m Evaluating

When your athlete steps onto the court for their evaluation, I’m observing much more than just their shot form. Here’s what I’m looking for:

🕐 Timeliness

Are they prepared, focused, and ready to start on time? This shows respect for the game and for others.

💪 Effort & Attitude

Do they give their best even when a drill gets hard? Do they bounce back after mistakes? This helps me understand their mindset.

👂 Listening Skills

Can they take instruction, apply feedback, and stay engaged?

🏀 Core Fundamentals

I assess footwork, ball handling, and shooting form to understand their current skill level.

👀 What Most Parents Don’t See

Here’s something I wish more families understood:

I’m not just evaluating the athlete — I’m also paying attention to you, the parent.

Why? Because youth sports development is a team effort. I look at:

• Whether families arrive on time

• How involved and supportive the parent is

• The attitude and character you model from the sidelines

When an athlete is surrounded by consistent support and accountability at home, they grow faster and stronger — not just as players, but as people.

🧠 Why It Matters

After the evaluation, I determine whether your child will be placed in our Beginner or Intermediate group training. If they haven’t yet mastered the skills needed for the next level, that’s not a setback — it’s a starting point.

This thoughtful placement ensures your child is:

• Challenged but not overwhelmed

• Building confidence

• Getting the right drills for their development

I also provide verbal feedback (and sometimes written notes) so both the athlete and parent leave with clear next steps.

💰 The Details

Evaluation Cost: $75
Length: 1 Hour
Includes: Skill & character assessment + feedback + group placement

📅 Upcoming Training Dates

We’ll be training at the O'Donnell Gym (Hollister High School) on:

• June 12

• June 17

• June 24

• June 26

📍 On June 19, we’ll be training at Rancho Middle School.

✉️ Ready to Schedule?

Contact me directly to book your child’s evaluation session and take the first step toward their basketball development journey.

Let’s grow together — on and off the court.

—
Coach Ashley Watson
Founder, Watson Basketball Academy
Building skills. Shaping character. Inspiring growth.