A new basketball academy is teaching more than moves on the court. Its goal is to empower athletes with life skills.
Excel Basketball Academy, a nonprofit organization co-founded by Lance Hurdle, opened in October at 2037 Laskin Road in Virginia Beach. Hurdle played basketball at the University of Miami and then went on to play professionally for 10 years in the NBA G League, the official minor league, and in Australia.
Along with teaching basketball fundamentals, the academy’s coaches combine highly competitive training with lessons in discipline, integrity and purpose, Hurdle said.
Excel began in 2020 and operated out of the Virginia Beach Field House and then Cape Henry Collegiate, where Hurdle is also the boys varsity head coach. The new building has one pro-sized full court and two side courts.
“Everything that I am is through basketball, and everything that I have learned has stemmed from the game of basketball,” Hurdle said. “Every life lesson was through practice, from my coach, from my teammates and some type of experience playing basketball.”
Hurdle said he chose the name “Academy” for two reasons. First, he said, “basketball has been the vehicle of my education,” and secondly, the sport gave him the opportunity to meet people and learn from them throughout his life.
Excel offers skill development training, beginning at age 4, in large groups, small groups, private sessions, shooting clinics and in-game experience through a development league, travel and AAU teams.
Additionally, the program features specialized training programs, such as the Point Guard Academy and Basketball IQ Bootcamp, and a partnership with Alpha Performance that brings together basketball training and top-tier athletic performance training.
Off the court, Excel athletes have volunteered at the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center and have collected necessities for local teens. Also, Excel has hosted a mental health and nutrition seminar for parents and athletes. Hurdle said they plan to increase the number of community outreach opportunities for the athletes now that the new facility has opened.
“Excel builds lasting growth,” Hurdle said. “It’s more than an academy. It’s a movement shaping tomorrow’s leaders through the game we love.”
Details: excelbasketballacademy.com
Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net
