Meet Jeffery D. Johnson | Sports & Fitness Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeffery D. Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeffery D., can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Memphis Basketball Trainers (MBT) aims to be a beacon of youth development in the Mid-South region. By combining sports training with comprehensive personal development, MBT seeks to nurture well-rounded, resilient, and community-oriented individuals. Our unique approach emphasizes the eradication of improper sports training techniques and promotes excellence, inclusivity, and integrity.

What should our readers know about your business?
We believe that every child deserves a quality training experience, not just in terms of skills on the court but in their holistic growth and development. This belief sets us apart from other programs that often focus primarily on winning games. At our facility, we prioritize the personal development of each athlete, fostering resilience and productive societal contributions through our basketball training programs.

From the outset, our commitment has extended beyond the court. We attend life events of our athletes and build genuine relationships with their families. This deep connection helps us support not only the athletic but also the personal development of our young athletes, from elementary school all the way to college preparations.

My journey into this field began after a fulfilling career as a collegiate basketball player at Mississippi State University and a subsequent stint as a teacher. I recognized a significant gap in the sports training available—a lack of focus on life skills and personal development. This realization spurred me to create a program that uses basketball as a tool to develop well-rounded, resilient individuals.

Our path hasn’t been without challenges. Establishing our first basketball training facility in Northeast Memphis involved overcoming hurdles related to funding, finding the ideal location, and assembling a team that shares our vision. Each obstacle was met with the same determination and perseverance we instill in our athletes.

As we look to the future, our goal is to expand our impact, continuing to challenge the traditional narratives around youth sports. We want the world to know that we’re here not just to train the next generation of basketball players, but to raise the next generation of leaders.

We invite everyone interested to visit our facility or check out our programs to see firsthand the community and values we’re building at Memphis Basketball Trainers.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am a huge fan of burgers, pancakes, and nature. I would take them to Huey’s and Hopdoddy for lunch, Brother Junipers for breakfast, and Shelby Farms for a a place of relaxation and nature. I would also take them to the National Civil Rights Museum since it’s a huge part of American history.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It’s entirely impossible to name everyone so I’ll summarize them as my family. My family consists of my spouse Mandie, blood relatives, adoptive & extended family, close friends, my many mentors, and the faith I have in Jesus. My faith is epicenter of who I am and why I do what I do.

Website: https://www.trainmemphis.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/membballtrainers/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffery-d-johnson-5157a21a2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@trainingtakesavillage

Image Credits
Photos by Mandie J & AP Visuals