(Ep071) Lance Hurdle: Learning Hard Lessons from Coaches and How Teaching Aborigines Basketball Made Him More Appreciative

Lance Hurdle learned to love basketball from his grandfather, who put a basketball in his small hands when he was five. 15 years later and with Lance now starring for the University of Miami, it was the same man who’s imminent passing inspired Lance to record his career high against the UNC Tar Heels. In between, Lance moved from New Jersey to San Diego, where he started playing against his step father’s Army buddies as a teenager. In his senior year of high school, he upped his scoring average from 13 to 24 points to lead his squad to a division championship. 

Lance’s star was on the rise, but at UC Santa Barbara, he struggled to find his best game and place in the rotation. He transferred to San Bernardino Valley College and came on strong in the second half of the season, winning conference player of the year as histeam claimed the conference title. With several offers from top D1 programs, Lance chose to attend the University of Miami, and got his first taste of the NCAA tournament. He then played for the Bakersfield Jam, Idaho Stampede, and Springfield Armor in the NBA D-League, before taking his talents to play pro in Australia. Lance then co-founded Excel Basketball Academy and is the Cape Henry Collegiate School's Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach, 8th Grade Head Basketball Coach and Director of Student Life.

In this episode, Lance shares how he:

• Learned tough lessons about hard work, sacrifice, and attitude from 3 coaches

• Overcame adversity in his freshman year and bounced back to earn a scholarship to University of Miami

• Leaned on his faith when times got tough

• Received essential advice from Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra

• Discovered the true meaning of gratitude when coaching Aboriginal kids in Australia

• Decided to share all he has learned from the game with students at Excel Basketball Academy and Cape Henry Collegiate School

Keep up with Lance on Instagram and via the Excel Basketball Academy website.