… where the desire to develop as a basketball player blends with the need to learn and achieve academically.
Student Athlete Academy
Student-Athlete Academy (SAA) is a full-time academy for students grades 6,7, 8, and reclassed 8th graders. The program is built to fill the void between the desire to play basketball and the need to learn and achieve academically. At SAA, student-athletes will do their academic work and their basketball training during our daily curriculum and training hours.
The academy model - the academy training model is taken from Europe & Asia as well as from other US sports. This model will ensure the development of the student-athlete as well as help with cost and time. The student-athlete will complete all their academics and training sessions during regular school day hours.
The staff at the Academy have a proven track record - The staff at the Academy have a proven record of developing student-athletes and helping them reach the next level - in this case high school.
The Jersey One-stop shop
Student Athlete Academy was featured in the ‘Future’ Issue of SLAM Magazine (March 2021).
High schools where we have helped place student-athletes
High School Placement
Our quest to help you be ready for the high school of your choice starts as soon as you walk in the building. Our staff’s high school contacts, locally and national, is unmatched.
Click here for more information about our High School Placement Program.
Picture from our High School Fair fall of 2020
Colleges our students have gone to
Our expectations are high and we will work diligently with each student-athlete to make him or her the best he/she can be - on and off the court.
Testimonials
These are testimonials from parents & athletes who have worked with the SAA staff on their development in previous situations. This is what they think about an academy style program.
Game changer …
“Coach Tarik has been a game changer in a literal sense for our son Simeon. He instilled confidence in our son, coached him in the core competencies and there has been no looking or turning back.
Tarik has been working with Sim since he was 7/8 years old and developed a strong relationship with him. Tarik's greatest impact with our son was when he trained and taught him in an academy setting This is the time when Sim turned the corner and developed into a true baller under Coach Tarik's guidance. His attention to detail and overall knowledge of the game is not matched by many. We appreciate his passion for the game, his desire to pass his knowledge to the next generation, his overall drive for perfection and the pure love for my kid.”
- Kimberly Wilcher mother of Simeon Wilcher
Roselle Catholic HS Class of 2023 ESPN #8 prospect
Best of both worlds …
“I’ve always thought kids learn better when they are physically stimulated throughout the school day. That does not typically occur in most public schools. Additionally, once my son was home from an academy setting all physical training was done for the day, and the only focus was any unfinished academic work. I really appreciated the physical improvements he made, and the relationships he built while working with Coach Tarik. I was surprised as to how much training they actually completed throughout each and every day. I think the academy style of training provides the best of both worlds and gives kids an opportunity to excel in a very unique academic and athletic setting.”
— Aaron Wellman
Senior Assistant Athletic Director for Football Performance, Indiana University.
Within peak hours …
“An academy offers a unique and advantageous environment for any student whose goal is to maximize their scholastic and athletic experience. Specific core classes are the academic focus for half of the school day, and athletic training is the focus for the other half of the school day.
This experience truly allows students to get the most out of their day within peak hours where their energy is the highest.
I appreciate the discipline and structure an academy setting provide my son. The schedule is intense, but the student athlete is provided with all of the necessary tools to succeed. The academy system also provides the student athlete with a great head start for the next level (i.e. college).
An academy presents a great option for any individual who is looking to develop as a student and as an athlete.”
- Chris White Sr
IMG Academy, Class of 2023
Taught me to balance...
“Being in an academy style setting taught me how to balance my training and my school work. I would have to switch from training sessions to classroom sessions and be present in both. Having the training being a part of the school day is great because we do a lot of training during the day and I am done at the end of the school day. I really appreciate being able to compete with like-minded and similar high-level ability classmates and pushed by really good trainers every day. It definitely made me better. It is a great way to get mentally and physically ready for high school.”
— Elliot Cadeau,
Link Academy, Class of 2023