Basketball and Breakthroughs: A Guide To Leadership With The Founders Of Team Elite.

In the first episode of the Alpha Artistry podcast, our founder, Sharyh, had the pleasure of interviewing two game-changers from the world of basketball and youth mentorship — Team Elite founders, Coach Jago and Coach Asando.

This dynamic duo mentors the next generation of future leaders through the game of basketball, sharing life-changing gems along the way. Read on for the values, experiences, and principles that influenced their journey, and how they utilise them in leading today’s youth to success. If you’re an aspiring leader, fellow coach or game-changer, this leadership guide will enrich you.

Want to listen to Part One of the interview? Listen to S1:E1 of “Alpha Artistry The Podcast” on Spotify.

Let's dive into the gems.

key principles for building a solid business foundation.

Aligned relationships are key to success.

The Team Elite founders emphasised the importance of alignment and ensuring that the foundational relationships they incorporated into their business were thoughtfully considered.

Lesson: core relationships, whether in business or within your network, should be approached with careful deliberation. Even if you lack the funding, customers, or platform, having a solid vision and a partnership with a like-minded individual who shares your vision can lead to mutual success.

Success takes time, dedication and patience.

Team Elite went from bootstrapping for the first seven years, to now receiving six-figure funding from some of the UK's most reputable funders. The team are moving from strength to strength both on the court and behind the scenes

Lesson: perseverance and strategic planning are key to long-term success. Sometimes you will need to invest out of your own pocket, which may even inconvenience you, but by staying committed and continuously improving, even small, bootstrapped ventures can evolve into well-funded, thriving enterprises.

Start with what you have.

Starting from the ground up, Coach Jago and Coach Asando built Team Elite on a passion for the sport of basketball and the values it instilled in its players. The two were driven by a unified vision and maximised every opportunity by using the resources available to them. They initially ran the club using their university facility (or any discounted court they could find) and eventually secured their own home court.

Lesson: success often comes from resourcefulness and determination. By leveraging the tools and opportunities you already have access to, you can create something new and impactful. Innovation and persistence can turn a vision into reality.

Be an example of excellence.

Last but not least, serve as a model. Throughout the interview, both gentlemen demonstrated the importance of setting an example of excellence. Within their team, they have established an expectation of accountability, so the next generation of players has a strong example to follow. They encourage mentorship within the team and instil simple values, such as punctuality.

Lesson: fostering a culture of excellence and accountability can significantly impact your chances of success, however you're changing the game. For example, if you're a business founder or coach, by setting high standards and encouraging mentorship, you can cultivate a productive and motivated workforce.

Listen to the “Alpha Artistry The Podcast” on Spotify.

About Team Elite

Team Elite is a basketball club that focuses on female participation from the age of 14 and up. They offer basketball programs for all abilities and ages within East London. Team Elite are renowned for their commitment to excellence and innovative approach to team development. Established in 2017, the team consistently fosters a culture of accountability, mentorship, and discipline. With a focus on creating a supportive and high-performing environment, They continue to set the standard for success both on and off the court.

Keep up with Team Elite's journey on Instagram.