About Sam Doner

Sam Doner is the best clinician and skill developer in youth basketball. Without fail he is able to motivate and achieve "buy in" from his players, driving his athletes to perform at the highest level they are capable of. The secret to his success is his tireless energy coupled with a unique ability to determine a players needs and to give that player the exact drills (with degree of difficulty factored in) to get them to the next level. Sam creates a very safe & positive environment for his players and they succeed because they have no fear of failure.  He genuinely believes in every player. He is able to exact dramatic improvement from several players simultaneously because he is not married to the philosophy that everybody has to do the same drills at the same time. His goal is to turn every kid into a skilled player and not a piece of any particular system.

 

Sam's philosophy and style is about developing players and not as he says "about winning and losing". He prepares his players to think and see the game and to play "free".  The results of his motivational and developmental techniques are dramatic. Sam has an impressive and consistent record of state, regional, and national coaching success. Equally impressive is the consistency with which he prepares and develops players who excel at the High School and Division 1, 2 & 3 College level.    (see below*)

Sam's commitment to the game of basketball is truly uncommon and his knowledge is encyclopedic. His free time is spent soaking up new and progressive skills and drills and keeping pace with the state of the art in coaching technique and philosophy. His energy is boundless and can be felt in every practice, Clinic, Camp and Academy he conducts.

*Coaching Experience & Accomplishments

High School:
Newton South High School Head Varsity Woman’s Basketball Coach (2008 – Present)                                                                                                                                                                            2008/9 MIAA South Sectional Semi Finalist
Medway MA High School Head Varsity Women’s Basketball Coach (2003-2006)                             
Weymouth MA High School Ast Varsity Men’s  Basketball Coach (2002-2003)

AAU:
Head Basketball Coach - Bay State Jaguars Elite (2006-Present)

*2009 U15 Mass State Champions                                                          

*2009 U13 Mass State Champions                                                          

*U13 Hersey Jr Nationals Final 4 

*2009/2010 Placed 7 of 10 14U on their respectful High School Varsity teams as Freshmen
*2008 U14 U.S Jr. Nationals Final Four (3rd)
*2008 U16 Massachusetts State Tournament Silver Medal 
*2008 U14 Massachusetts State Champions
*2007 U15 Massachusetts State Tournament Final Four (4th) 
*2007 U13 Massachusetts State Tournament Bronze Medal
*2007-2008 Placed 10 of 11 14u team members on their High School varsity team as Freshmen                               

President and Founder of the Mass Pumas, Concord, MA (2004-2006)
Head Basketball Coach

*2007 placed 10 of 11 team members on their College Varsity team, including D1, D2, D3.
*2006 U16 Super Regional Champions and Massachusetts State Champions
*2005 U15 Super Regional Champions and Massachusetts State Tournament Bronze Medal
*2004 U14 Massachusetts State Tournament Final Four

College:
Mount Ida College, Newton Centre,  Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach (1999-2002) (NAC Champions 2001)

       
CLINIC & CAMP EXPERIENCE:
Director &Co-Creator, DONER ELITE ACADEMY (2008-Present)Director and Creator, DONER ELITE CLINICS (2003 Present)               
Director and Creator, DONER ELITE Camps (2003-Present)              
Program Director, Swish (Summer 2000-2004)
Camp Commissioner, Rising Stars (Summer 2000-Present)
Assistant Camp Director, A Step Ahead (Summer 1995-2003)
Program Director, Mount Ida College (Summer 1999-2002)
Assistant Camp Director, Newton North (Summer 1995-2000)
Camp Counselor, Boston College (Summer 1995-1996)

                               
REFEREEING EXPERIENCE:
Certified Referee IABBO #
Bay State League – Boys JV and Freshmen (2006-Present)
CYO League
Metrowest League
Middle School
Mass Premier (Leagues, Tournaments, and AAU)
Varsity High School Summer League
                               

PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
Westfield State College (1996-1998) NCAA (Division III)
*Men’s Basketball Team Player (Point Guard)

Mount Ida College (1995-1996) NCJAA (Division II)
*Men’s Basketball Team Player (Point Guard)
                     

RELATED EXPERIENCE:
Coach Doner earned a Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Education and is a 7th grade Math Teacher