Reviews

The Right Way

Elan (parent of a 4th grader, Aesa) June 12, 2017
Our son has worked with Coach Packie and Coach Larisa over the last 9 months. They teach the game the right way by making it fun, improving skills, and providing an environment that is safe to make mistakes and learn. My son has improved and his confidence level has increased both within the clinics and leagues. I often sit and watch the practices amazed and what these young people are asked to do - and yet can accomplish with practice.
I have been around a lot of coaches and I am most impressed by the way UpBasketball is run. They have my ultimate respect. I wish I learned the game this way. As a parent you are giving your son/daughter a true gift by enrolling them in UpBasketball. I keep telling my son -working with these coaches is a blessing and an opportunity. Soak it up! 

Fantastic Basketball Coaches and Trainers
Bruce K. on June 1, 2017
Coach Packie and Coach Larisa are fantastic basketball coaches and trainers. The trainings are both fun and intense. Skills are taught along with an explanation of how it translates to a real game. The Coaches are exceptional in understanding each kid, and what that particular kid needs to improve her/his game, and they take a patient long term approach to bringing out the best in each of the players. Coach Packie and Coach Larrisa are incredibly consistent in their approach, and how they treat each and every kid with respect.
The kids know full well before they even enter the gym that they are fortunate to have the opportunity to train with Packie and Larisa. On a number of occasions professional and college players training with Packie & Larisa partake in the clinics, which is always an exciting time.
Lastly, every parent who brings their kid to an UpBasketball training leaves with the same thought in mind: "this is really special."

Dominic Artis- Salesian High School/Findlay Prep University of Oregon/ UTEP
Professional Basketball Player
My time with Packie the skills trainer this past summer was incredible. From the first day my agent, Calvin Andrews, introduced us at the 6am Holy Names workout I have received nothing but valuable tools. Things as advanced as a quick shooting pocket right out of the handle, to simple reminders such as keeping my balance towards the rim, and making every shot feel like a catch and shoot- things that have helped me excel within the professional exhibition games I have played in thus far. However, what I got from Packie, the man himself, is beyond anything I could of imagined, would have came from that initial 6am workout at Holy Names. The belief he has in me as a player has propelled me to strive for a better version of my self. Not only this but also the importance of making connections and using this game to present unthinkable doors is another contribution I received from Packie, the man himself. Ultimately, my review of Pakcie would be 5 stars. Any player looking for a trainer that will put forth the time and effort to help them obtain their maximum potential as a complete individual - this is the man to see.

Coach Packie = Highly Recommended
Lester S. on May 28, 2017
I can't say enough about the quality of Coach Packie's training and teaching style. The quality of his basketball skills and credentials is self-evident. What I believe makes him great is his ability to push and challenge the kids, while also being super encouraging and supportive. I can tell he really cares for the kids: to get better as players, and more importantly, to become good human beings. He exudes confidence with humility, which makes him a great role model. I truly believe that my son's joy of the game accelerated under Coach Packie.

Darius Graham- Sacramento High Standout- UC Davis Men's Basketball
Packie has done a great job expanding my individual game, as well as understanding how I apply it to real game scenarios. He provides a great workout environment that challenges me to be comfortable being uncomfortable in order for my game to grow. He does a great time of balancing the teaching of mechanics of a technique as well as knowing a players natural rhythm that they play with to apply that rhythm in his instructing. He helped me realize just how high my ceiling is as a player as well as an overall person.

Amazing clinics! Great role models!
Daniel Raskin on May 27, 2017
We have signed up for many of Packie's clinics. Simply put, our son Taro loves it. The sessions have not only had a big impact on Taro's skill building but also expose him to coaches that inspire him and grow his love for basketball. We will be signing up for many more sessions!

Packie's Passion For Basketball Shines Through
Heather Davis on October 28, 2016
My daughter recently attended an UP Basketball Training in Fort Bragg for the 8-12 grade. The skills that she received were advanced yet she was able to try to master them! Having the skills just above or even more of her capabilities will help her strive to be better. The most important part to me is that she came home with a smile on her face and wanting to do better. Packie's passion of basketball shines through these kids and my daughter needs to see this! She felt that what she was learning will help her be the player she really wants to be. I highly recommend that at whatever level your child is at, these clinics will benefit both their skills and their confidence!! Thank you for doing what you do!!

GREAT TRAINER AND ROLE MODEL
Hyunka Lee on Aug 19, 2016
My three kids love Packie and his training sessions—even my reluctant tweenage girl. They’ve all played basketball since they were young, but were never naturally skilled ball handlers, and this is where their improvements in skills and confidence have been dramatic after training with Packie. Their team practices are all about the team and preparing for games, but Packie’s focus is on elevating individual skills—especially dribbling which is something my kids never wanted to practice. Now through the legs and behind the back is natural for them. It’s a miracle.

The kids love Packie because he’s such a nice guy, even when he’s pushing them to do more. They also knows he trains many famous Warriors and NBA stars, and they’ve all seen Packie training Curry in his Muscle Milk commercial—so they really look up to him. He’s a terrific role model.

GREAT RESULTS!
Frank Gerber on Aug 17, 2016
Packie has coached my son both individually and on a team and my son has loved working with him. Packie has a great rapport with the kids and is able to get them to push themselves to improve. He not only has great coaching skills, he has a big heart.

TRAIN WITH PACKIE RANKS #1
Lori Hendrickson on Aug 14, 2016
My older son started training with Packie a year ago to build his skills and become a more competitive player. In that time, we’ve seen dramatic improvements in his ball handling skills, game playing, focus and drive. Now our second son is also attending the clinics and we’ve seen a positive change in his shooting technique and confidence.

Packie’s experience and method of teaching players of all ages is unbelievable! He works with them in a respectful way that they can understand. He takes the time to check-in with each player to make sure they are grasping the workouts.
Our boys have done several clinics with other people, but no one seems to have made a significant difference in their basketball game. Packie’s clinics have made that noticeable difference!

One of the most important reasons why my boys really enjoy their workouts is that Packie makes it fun! My boys love basketball and he helps to fuel that passion by not taking the fun away even when they are working hard. Packie’s clinics rank #1 in our family!

PACKIE IS THE BEST
Anne Tamiko Omura on Aug 09, 2016
My daughter (Mari) and her teammates all LOVE training with Packie. His clinics and 1 on 1 training sessions are the absolute best. Mari has done dozens of basketball clinics through different programs, and the ones run by Packie are her favorites. The best part: She has fun, challenges herself as an athlete, gets a ton of individualized attention and pointers, AND HAS SEEN AMAZING RESULTS! Packie is so great with kids and is such an excellent motivator. He knows how to inspire kids while helping them elevate their game. Mari's confidence, handles, and shot have improved dramatically.
Finally, Packie is wonderful with all levels of players. I have seen him coaching NBA athletes and 11 year old girls new to basketball with the same level enthusiasm and focus. He really makes kids feel special and excited about the sport of basketball!

GREAT EXPERIENCE IN TRAIN WITH PACKIE CLINIC
Kris Baines on Aug 05, 2016
Our son loves training with Packie! Not only has Packie helped him build his foundational skills and his understanding of the game, he has boosted his confidence. Packie is able to break everything down into clear steps for kids to be successful at dribbling, shooting, layups, etc. He understands how to bring the best out of everyone--even kids who've never played before. It has been one of the most positive clinics our son has participated in and he is asking when he can go back!

Google Reviews for UPBasketball:

David Yoo

An amazing place to train. My son and daughter train there, and packie and larissa are really pro trainers and college trainers. But what's more impressive is that they love training youngsters as much as NBA pros. As a bonus, sometimes, our sessions are between famous College Athletes and Pros. So my instagram is filling up with famous players.

Marc Gamble

Love the personal attention to details, mechanics, and fundamentals. Both my son and my daughter are gaining a significant competitive edge and they're improving their overall game and most importantly their confidence. As a school & AAU coach, I'm very impressed with Packie approach to making players focus on the details that help make them better in real-game situations. And Larisa's skillset and basketball IQ is a perfect addition to providing a complete and enhanced basketball training experience. Thanks so much. So lucky to have these guys in my backyard!!

Jaisa Gamble

First time there and I loved it! I found myself thinking about which moves I could use in the game and what I could work on at home. My trainer really knew what she was doing and I left feeling confident about what I just learned.

LILPRIMETIME2

It is a really fun workout place. There are a lot of good trainers. It will really help me improve my basketball game. I recommend it if you want to have a good basketball careeer

Nick Kwan

great training facility dedicated to basketball

Fabio Yamamoto

Today I took my 6 year-old son Lucas for a tryout at UPB. Bianca was very nice and gave us a comprehensive overview of how they operate (schedules, fees and activities). We paid a $35 fee for a “drop off section”. The facilities are great very clean and well organize. Packie came and introduced himself to us. After a few instructions to the kids I was able to tell how professional e passionate he is about his job. Even though Lucas was training with older kids Packie and his assistant made sure he was confident and comfortable during the drills. Lucas has been in different basketball camps and UPBaskeball Training was the best experience for us.

Yelp Reviews:

We cannot say enough about the UP Basketball team.  Our boys have been participating in training classes at UP for nearly a year, and all three of them (ages 7 and 11) love their time there, learn so much about not only conditioning their bodies but their minds.  Coaches Packie, Larissa and Chris are phenominal, blending positive, strengths-based coaching with incredible skill and talent. Amazingly they bring the exact same enthusiasm and energy to working with the kids as they do to their work with college-level and pro athletes.  Bianca runs everything UP and is so positive, ever-available and helpful. Our boys have improved their basketball skills, but more importantly are learning about the mental piece of being young athletes. These are life skills they take with them when they walk off the court, as well as when they are on it.

Amazing supportive environment, where it is OK to make mistakes, that is how you learn :)  Kids love it - they are pushed hard, and they don't mind it, since it is a safe environment to make mistakes. Wonderful staff, all very supportive, they know basketball and are able to coach  / train to young kids as well as high school / college. The facility is beautiful, the floor, backboards and rims are top quality. Unlimited monthly training is great as well as the Sunday clinics, great for boys and girls.  Top quality, no reason to go anywhere else. We are very grateful that this facility is here in the Bay Area - Chris, Packie, Larissa, Bianca - they couldn't be nicer :)

An amazing place to train.  My son and daughter train there, and packie and larissa are really pro trainers and college trainers. But what's more impressive is that they love training youngsters as much as NBA pros. As a bonus, sometimes, our sessions are between famous College Athletes and Pros.  So my instagram is filling up with famous players.