Julius V. is one of the most well known NBA and national basketball trainers in the country. The 33-year old trainer and coach has developed, trained, and worked with multiple next level basketball players over the years since 2012.
Players like Josh Christoper (Houston Rockets), Jaden Springer (Philadelphia 76ers), Jalen Suggs (Orlando Magic), Jalen Green (Houston Rockets), Nico Mannion (Overseas), Terance Mann (LA Clippers), Nick Young (retired), Skyy Clark (Illinois), Cassius Stanley (G-League), Mfiondu Kabengele (Houston Rockets), Jaden Hardy (G-League Ignite), Bruce Brown (Brooklyn Nets), Jordan Walsh (Arkansas), Jaxon Kohler (Michigan State), Amaree Abram (Ole Miss), and others have worked with Julius in the gym over the years.
He worked with guys like Josh Christoper, Jaden Springer, Jalen Suggs, Nico Mannion, Skyy Clark, Jalen Green, and Cassius Stanley at young ages. “I worked with Josh, Jaden, and Jalen when they were in 5th Grade. I trained Skyy since he was 10-years old and discovered Jalen Green when he was only 13-years old.” Julius says. He continued to say Tereance Mann is his main guy he has worked with over the last two years and will be working with him for the third straight year. He will also be working with multiple guys like Bruce Brown and Jordan Walsh this off-season, just to name a few.
He started the California Stars back in 2016 and has had about 56 prospects go Division I over those years. He vividly remembers winning the famous Big Foot Tournament in Las Vegas a few years ago in 2018. “We beat a few EYBL teams on the way and defeated Mac Irvin Fire (IL) in the championship.” He says.
Back in 2020, during the year the COVID-19 pandemic hit the nation, Julius founded and began Southern California Academy out of Los Angeles, California.
He currently has both a post-grad and varsity high school team that produces some of the top prospects in the country.
Southern California Academy, their high school team, ranked among the top-25 teams in the country this past season. The Rams finished with a 24-4 overall record and top-10 ranking. I asked Julius how did it feel to be one of the best teams in the nation this past season?
“It made me feel good. I feel like, I used the same philosophy over the years coaching. I felt like regardless we would have been one of the best teams.” He answered.
This past season, Southern California had multiple prospects committed to Division I programs. Michigan State, Ole Miss, Oregon, USC, LSU, Stanford, and others were apart of this season’s roster. I asked Julius how did he get some of the top prospects in the country to buy in to the program this past season? He replied “Our culture, drills we do in practice. Every single drill we do in practice translates to our belief and culture we want to build here.”
“We want to be the best team in the country. We want to recruit prospects that will fit the culture and buy in what we do.” He tells me after asking him what goals does he have for next season’s team.
He has already reeled in a couple top prospects to fit in their roster for the 2022-2023 high school season. 2024 PG Jahseem Felton and 2023 F Gabe Warren have already announced their commitment to attend the Southern California Academy basketball program for next season, joining 2023 F Drew Fielder, who returns from last season’s squad.
The Grind Hoops by Samad Hines 