The New Wave of Student-Athlete Excellence in West Phoenix

By: Elite Sports Academy Newsroom

Featuring: Coach Sean Greene (Girls’ Basketball Program Director) & Coach P.J. Howard (Men’s Basketball Program Director & National Head Coach)

In a recent episode of the American Classroom podcast, host Jared Taylor sat down with two of the most dynamic minds in high school basketball today: Coach Sean Greene and Coach P.J. Howard.

Together, they explored how Elite Sports Academy (ESA) in West Phoenix is pioneering a brand-new model for high school education—one that seamlessly pairs elite, national-level athletic development with rigorous, small-class academics and character training.

Whether your athlete is entering middle school or looking for high school prep development to earn a college scholarship, Elite Sports Academy is building something truly unique in Arizona. Here is a look inside what makes our Falcon family different and why you should come see our campus for yourself.

1. True Balance: Elite Academics Meets Collegiate-Level Training

A common concern parents have about preparatory athletic programs is whether education takes a back seat. At Elite Sports Academy, academics are the foundation of everything we do.

Coach Sean Greene—a Stanford University Master’s graduate who played college basketball in the Midwest and professionally overseas for five years—understands firsthand the necessity of academic rigor.

“Academia is huge with me. It’s a big part of why I joined the Falcon family. We have an incredible staff here, not just on the athletic side, but in the classroom. From 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM every day, our athletes are in the classroom getting hands-on, direct instruction with a 1-to-10 teacher-to-student ratio. It gives them a sense of normalcy while maintaining high academic standards.”

— Coach Sean Greene

Coach P.J. Howard—who came to Arizona after graduating from the prestigious Rufus King International Baccalaureate program in Milwaukee—stresses that high academic standards directly translate to on-court success.

“We create a collegiate-level experience before kids get to college. Athletic training gets you the opportunity, but education is what keeps you there. College coaches are investing real resources into student-athletes, and they don’t have time for excuses. We teach our kids time management, discipline, and accountability so that when they step onto a college campus, they don’t look like traditional freshmen—they are ready to capitalize on day one.”

— Coach P.J. Howard

2. Navigating Today’s College Athletic Landscape (NIL & Beyond)

With the rise of the Transfer Portal and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities, college sports have evolved into a professionalized environment. Today’s athletes must be well-rounded, articulate, marketable, and disciplined.

At Elite Sports Academy, we prepare athletes for life both on and off the court:

• 4-Day Academic Week (Mon–Thu): Our schedule gives athletes Fridays off for recovery, mental rest, social development, and spending time with family.
• Citizenship & Leadership Training: Every day includes a dedicated 45-minute citizenship class focused on leadership, time management, and life skills.
• Real-World Vocational Skills: Students get hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art media room, learning sports administration, content creation, and broadcasting.
• Pro-Level Recovery & Health Habits: Athletes learn habits surrounding nutrition, hydration, sleep hygiene, and body recovery.

3. Building Culture & Elevating Arizona Talent

Both Coach Howard and Coach Greene bring proven championship pedigrees to ESA, having recently led their programs to national tournament titles.

🏀 Men’s National Program: Culture, Edge & Talent

Coach Howard has curated a roster composed of disciplined, high-character athletes who play with a hunger to prove themselves:

• Naoto Hauet (Japan): Special guard fresh off the Adidas Euro Camp; hyper-disciplined, explosive scorer, and downhill attacker.
• Jordan Weeks (Chicago, IL): 6’10” traditional back-to-the-basket big man with phenomenal touch, hands, and decision-making skills.
• Makoi Makoi (Local / Canyon View HS): 6’11” rim protector and transition threat with elite upside and shot-blocking instincts.
• Christian McFadgon (Dallas, TX): 6’3″ guard with a 6’4″ wingspan; lethal shooter and vocal perimeter leader.
• Kolby Barnes (Perry HS): One of Arizona’s top recruits returning with an edge and unmatched versatility after recovering from injury.
• Dewey Henry (Class of 2028 / Ironwood): Averaged 25 PPG last season; operates with pro-level habits in his sleep, nutrition, and workout prep.
• Nehemiah Henson: Gritty, lockdown defensive guard who brings intangibles and energy every possession.

🏀 Girls’ National Program: The “New Wave” for Arizona

Maricopa County is the fourth-largest county in the United States, yet local girls’ basketball recruiting has historically lagged behind due to traditional playing structures. Coach Sean Greene—whose club program generated 375 Division-1 scholarship offers in the last three years alone—is changing that trajectory at ESA.

Backed by Nike sponsorship, a national schedule, and top-tier training facilities, ESA offers local female athletes a platform to compete against the best in the nation without having to leave the state.

4. A Pipeline from Junior High to High School (Grades 5–12)

Elite Sports Academy isn’t just a high school program; it’s a multi-year athletic pipeline starting in junior high (5th grade).

Rather than pigeonholing young players into rigid positions early on, our coaching staff provides 2 hours of daily skill development for all junior high athletes. Bigs learn to dribble, pass, and shoot; guards learn spatial awareness and court vision. This ensures that as athletes grow, their skill sets are uncapped and ready for national-level play.

In addition to our basketball programs, ESA features high-performance setups for Football (led by Coach Ray), Volleyball, Baseball, and Softball.

Come Take a Campus Tour Today!

When you walk onto the Elite Sports Academy campus in West Phoenix, you will immediately notice the difference:

• State-of-the-art gym, weight room, recovery room, and stretch room.
• Dedicated podcast and digital media production rooms.
• Small classroom sizes with elite, top-rated faculty.
• A family atmosphere built on culture, discipline, and mutual respect.

“If you want to be in an atmosphere conducive to development and be a part of something special, Elite has to be your stop. The teachers are elite, the staff is elite, the campus is elite, and if you want to be elite, you should be here.”

— Coach P.J. Howard

Ready to learn more?

Schedule your personal campus tour today and discover why Elite Sports Academy is the new wave of education and athletics in Arizona!

• Visit our website:elitesportsacademyaz.com
  
• Location: West Phoenix, Arizona
• Grades: 5th – 12th Grade

To watch or listen to the full podcast episode, visit AmericanClassroomPodcast.show