Micah Lancaster
Standing only 4″11 as a freshman at his new high school, Micah couldn’t escape his limitations. Instead, he decided to push towards them. No matter what everyone else said, Micah was determined to succeed and make it to the college level. As a freshman he made the junior varsity team, and as a sophomore, standing only 5′2, he was moved up to the varsity. After playing sparingly, Micah was moved back down to the junior varsity following the game for not having “a basketball frame.”
The following spring Micah was cut from three AAU teams, one of which didn’t even let him try-out. Another big bump in the road came in the first minute of Micah’s first varsity game. He tore all the cartilage in his left knee. At 5′6, Micah limped his way through his junior season. Despite his injury, Micah was named all-conference, although Comstock Park managed only 8 wins on the year.
It was at this time that Micah dedicated himself to learn how to train for the game of basketball. Creating and inventing new drills and training methods became his hobby. Eight hours of repetition per day became his passion. As a senior, Micah averaged 25 points per game and led Comstock Park to a 24-3 record and a trip to Michigan’s class B state semi-finals for the first and only time in school history.
Micah then earned a scholarship to play at Spring Arbor University (NAIA 2) where he went on to become the school’s second all-time leading scorer (2,393) and all-time assist leader (751). After finishing his collegiate career, Micah joined the Grand Rapids Flight of the International Basketball League where he was named to the 2007 IBL All-Star Team.
But for Micah, everything goes back to that summer of creating new drills in the gym eight hours a day.
From that summer on I stopped playing basketball and I started training for basketball. That’s when I learned that mere skill and enjoyment wasn’t the make-up of passion, but sacrifice, hard work, repetition and gritty perseverance. I made a decision to hit the gym for eight hours a day that summer and train, train, train. When the other players shot around and scrimmaged, I worked on my ball handling, technique, and fundamentals. Several hours a day, as the only player in the gym, I was training and inventing new ways to get better. My passion for basketball became my identity. When my competition was “playing” the game, my joy came in the fact that I was “working” on mine. That next season I earned the scholarship I was seeking, and ever since I have lived my life based on one single thought. God has given all people access to the most important tool for success – the ability to persist!
After two successful years in the IBL, Micah recieved several offers to continue his professional career in Europe, but had realized his passion was teaching and training over and above playing. Leaving his pro ambitions behind to focus on basketball skill development, Micah immediately returned to the gym with a new focus and began to center his efforts around taking his drills, methods, and techniques to the next level. He has been at it ever since.
Apart from being the lead trainer for Ganon Baker Basketball, Micah is also the Executive Director of Basketball Training at Hoops City U, a nationally renowned Elite Training Academy in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. There he is available for private training, workouts, and camps and clinics whenever he is not traveling the nation and beyond.
Micah also majored in public speaking while at Spring Arbor and is a sought-after motivational speaker. He is married to his wife, Kristen, and has a son named Braden.
Micah’s Links
Testimonials
“When I think of someone who has the ability to teach and demonstrate the game of basketball to our young and even experienced players that will allow them to be successful at any level, Micah Lancaster is the guy. Micah Lancaster is committed to developing the player to become the best possible player they can be and at the same time not lose sight of what level they might be able to achieve. I’ve done elite skill development events with Micah and he has cutting edge drills and great knowledge and passion for the game. All levels of basketball development could use more teachers like Micah who bring the desire and commitment to player development which would make all coaches jobs easier.”
– Dee Brown, former NBA All-Star, Head Coach NBA D-League Springfield Armor, former WNBA Head Coach and Owner of EDGE Training Facility (Orland, Florida)
“Micah Lancaster brings great energy to every workout with a tremendous skillset that players can immulate, and creative workouts that keep the players expanding their game to new levels. Every player leaves every workout better and wanting more!”
– Aubrey Mcleary, NBA Skill Coach (Derek Fisher, Lakers; Deron Williams, Utah Jazz; Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz, )
“Micah has really given me a professional atmosphere to work and to train. I’ve worked with a lot of different trainers in highschool, college, and professional, and Micah has given me the best explosiveness training with the basketball!”
– John Gilchrist, 2004 ACC Tournament Player of the Year, University of Maryland, Adelaide 36ers (Australian Basketball League)
“This workout is serious! To get to the next level you have to work, work hard… and Micah (Lancaster) will allow you to do that.
–James Mays, Clemson University, Beijing Ducks (China Basketball League)
“Micah Lancaster is an inspiration. Here is a player who was constantly and repeatedly told that he was too small to play basketball who then goes and proves everyone wrong by being named an NCCAA and NAIA All-American. Micah’s challenging yet fun drills have helped our players to improve season after season. Micah is not only a big hit with our players but perhaps an even bigger hit with their parents as they appreciate his message of how hard work, dedication and belief in oneself translate into success – in both basketball and life.”
Rod Hathaway – Coach at ACB Hoops National Travel Team
“Micah Lancaster’s presentation to the residents and staff of the Ingham County Detention Center (Lansing, MI) was life changing! His life story of overcoming the odds to obtain success in his passion (basketball) was impactful to all under the sound of his voice. Though Micah did not fit the stereotypical basketball star (too small, too weak, and white), he went on to become an all state high school player, a three time All-American in college and an All Star at the professional level through sheer hard work. It was great to see the residents’ reaction to this somewhat unassuming figure display such great feats of strength, coordination and athleticism. Micah’s message was consistent with his performance that persistence, hard work, and dedication will propel you to success and achievement. In a day that so many feel entitled and want a “bail out”, it was refreshing to hear Micah’s message of self empowerment, sacrifice and hard work to achieve lasting success. I highly recommend Micah to any youth group, church, school, or community organization that believe that (disadvantaged) people can and do change.”
Richard Gentry – Director of Ingham County Youth Center
Contact Angie Diamond below if you would like to have Micah Lancaster come to you!
