If you’re a basketball fan, chances are you’ve heard of Chris Brickley. He’s the renowned NBA trainer who has worked with some of the biggest names in the league, including LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Kevin Durant. But there’s one name that he won’t be adding to his list of clients anytime soon – Caitlin Clark.
For those who don’t know, Caitlin Clark is a rising star in women’s college basketball. The 19-year-old guard has been making waves with her impressive performances for the University of Iowa, and many have already pegged her as a future WNBA star. So when it was reported that she turned down an opportunity to train with Chris Brickley last summer, it raised a lot of eyebrows.
But before we get into why Caitlin Clark made this decision, let’s take a closer look at who Chris Brickley is and why he’s such a sought-after trainer in the NBA.
Brickley’s journey to becoming one of the most respected trainers in the league is nothing short of remarkable. He started off as a video coordinator for the New York Knicks in 2011, but his passion for training players soon became evident. He would often stay late after practice to work with players, and his hard work paid off when he was promoted to player development coach in 2014.
But it wasn’t until he left the Knicks in 2017 to focus on his own training business that he truly made a name for himself. Brickley’s unique training methods and ability to connect with players quickly caught the attention of some of the biggest stars in the NBA. LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Kevin Durant were just a few of the players who sought out Brickley’s services, and the results spoke for themselves.
So why did Caitlin Clark, who has been vocal about her admiration for Brickley, turn down an opportunity to train with him? The answer is simple – timing.
Last summer, when Brickley extended an invitation to Clark to come train with him in New York, she had just committed to playing for the University of Iowa. She had a busy summer ahead of her, with training and preparing for her first season of college basketball. And as much as she wanted to work with her idol, LeBron James, she knew that her focus needed to be on her college career.
But that’s not to say that Caitlin Clark will never work with Chris Brickley. In fact, she has already expressed her desire to train with him in the future, once her college career is over. And Brickley has also made it clear that he would love to work with her when the time is right.
It’s this mutual respect and understanding between the two that shows the maturity and professionalism of both Caitlin Clark and Chris Brickley. They both know the importance of timing and prioritizing, and it’s this mindset that has helped them achieve success in their respective fields.
In a world where instant gratification is the norm, it’s refreshing to see a young athlete like Caitlin Clark who is willing to put in the hard work and make sacrifices for the greater good. And it’s equally admirable to see a trainer like Chris Brickley who understands and respects the decisions of his potential clients.
So while Caitlin Clark may have turned down an opportunity to train with Chris Brickley last summer, it’s safe to say that this is just a temporary delay. And when they do eventually work together, it will be a collaboration that will benefit both of them immensely.
In the meantime, Caitlin Clark continues to make a name for herself in the world of college basketball, and Chris Brickley continues to train and inspire some of the best players in the NBA. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll see them working together on the court, creating magic and breaking records.
