MIDLOTHIAN, Va. — Nicole Jackson is the owner and head Skill Development Trainer of Prime 365. Prime 365 is a basketball program that focuses on skill development. Prime 365 conducts an All-Ages Session Monday-Thursday at 5:30 PM at Millwood School, in Midlothian. These sessions are for all ages and they use this time to learn the fundamentals. Besides the regular schedule, Prime 365 also runs 1 on 1 dedicated coaching sessions upon request.

In the past, Nicole has coached under the Boo Williams umbrella for AAU for various age groups with girls basketball. Currently, she is coaching a 5th/6th grade development team at Millwood School. Nicole has been coaching for a little under 10 years.

Nicole started playing basketball at a very young age, as far back as she can remember. “I had a small Fisher Price hoop,” said Nicole. “My mom tells me that my step-dad used to put the little ball in my crib. Of course, I can’t remember that far back. I do remember playing on my first rec team in the 3rd grade. I grew up in a small town, so the majority of the league was made up of boys. I played nonstop. My older cousins were into basketball big time, so I’d play outside with them, I’d play on the blacktop at recess.”

In middle school, Nicole’s dad was the coach for the girls team. She remembers him telling her that he would have to be tougher on her so that people wouldn’t think she made the team because of being his daughter. After practices, he would make her shoot 3’s. “Don’t step into it. Just catch and shoot,” she remembers him saying. “It was pretty tough at that age just being able to get the ball to the basket consistently. But he pushed me. Later, he started coaching the boys, so I would practice with the boys after my practice. On Tuesday or Thursdays nights, he would have open gym for the older guys who were in college or out of school, I would hop in those runs. They showed no mercy; blocked my shots, picked the ball from me, etc. But it made me better and after a while that stopped happening.”

Nicole played varsity all four years under Coach Robin Gary in Amelia. Coach Gary was a God sent. “I know if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have known about AAU, camps, or just getting noticed,” said Nicole, “She got me out of that small town without hesitation. She helped me with fundraisers to pay for camps and AAU. She saw something in me and all I had to do was to keep showing up. Of course, I wanted to go to a big time school, who doesn’t? I ended up at a small school out in NC, Lees McRae College (LMC). I ruptured my achilles twice, then became a student assistant. I was able to learn from one of the top PG’s in the country at the time, Tasha Taylor. She served as our assistant coach. Coach Taylor was a standout at Clemson University. I graduated from LMC, and shortly after that I started working with a full time basketball academy program in the Richmond area.”

Prime 365 focuses on the 5 C’s:

COMMUNICATION: Nicole is constantly communicating with the players. She tries not to let a bad rep go without correction. But, she also gives high praise when it’s done correctly. She wants her athletes to communicate with her and feel comfortable with asking questions. The communication leads to CONTINUITY. The players develop continuity in pace and mechanics of skills. Continuity leads to COMPETENCE. Players know how to do various skills and when to use them. Competence leads to CONFIDENCE. Confidence to put what they have learned into games. CREDIBILITY, teammates and coaches will see the improvement and trust is gained to lead and help others.

Some of the most memorable tournaments one of Nicole’s teams won were Battle of the Boro and Run for the Roses a few years back. It was her last year coaching AAU with the team she started with when they were in the 5th grade. It was pretty bittersweet because it was coming to an end and they all would go off to different colleges.

Nicole’s philosophy on losing is that It’s part of the game. Every great team has disappointing games. Nicole loves watching the older athletes pour into the younger athletes. “Greatness or success doesn’t happen overnight,” stated Nicole. “It’s the small daily habits that make you. If it’s progress you want, then it’s pressure you seek. Don’t be afraid of getting out of your comfort zone. Greatness/success comes from people getting tired of something and taking action to change or make it better.”

For more information about Prime 365, please visit the website https://www.prime365hoops.com/.

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