ISAY AURELLADO
HEAD OF SKILLS
1. What do you specialise in at Hoops? (Your role)
Head of Skills. Skills Acquisition Specialist and Sports Scientist. Athlete-focused, Coach-led, Data-driven Basketball Skills Programming
2. What’s one thing athletes can expect from your sessions?
Varied and game-based-- incorporating physical, technical, and tactical skills in basketball for a holistic approach.
3. What’s your coaching style or philosophy?
I believe in allowing athletes to explore deliberate learning environments where they can try different movement strategies to become adaptable in any game situation.
4. What’s your education/background in basketball/S&C?
Bachelor of Sport Science - University of the Philippines Diliman
MS in Kinesiology major in Motor Behaviour and Exercise and Sports Psychology - Texas Tech University, Lubbock
PhD Candidate - School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation, University of Technology Sydney
UP Lady Maroons 2013-2015
ASCA L1 S&C
CrossFit L1
SAQ Specialist
NBA Global Academy Sports Scientist 2023-2025
5. What do you want every athlete to walk away feeling after training with you?
I want athletes to feel confident and competent holistically in their basketball skills-- that they can read the game, make good decisions and perform technical and physical skills at a high level.
6. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I enjoy creating a fun and challenging training environment that helps players develop new skills and continuously improve their ability to adapt to various game situations. Overall, it is my pleasure to help athletes be more confident, competent, and adaptable in any situation they are placed in.
7. Who's your favourite basketball player/athlete? Why?
I admire a lot of athletes-- growing up, Kobe Bryant was the epitome of an elite basketball player (read Relentless by Tim S. Grover). With easier accessibility to watch women's sports, Kelsey Plum, Caitlin Clark, and Page Buekers would be at the top of my list. Outside of basketball, Tia Toomey is who I enjoy following. What I admire about these athletes is they credit their success to the work, effort, training, and sacrifices they put in. They live and breathe their craft, they are humans, and they're not perfect, but they are leaders in their sport because of their grit and tireless pursuit to be great.
8. What’s a fun fact or something that athletes might not expect from you?
I can get really physical on the basketball court. Not in an aggressive "cheap shot" way, but I will box out, use my body to defend well, and can hold my ground.
9. Share your favourite motivational quote or piece of advice for athletes.
"Effort beats talent."
"Everything can be learned-- those who fail just didn't try hard enough."
Qualifications:
· ASCA Level 1
· First Aid & CPR Certified
· Working with Children’s Check
· 2+ years Experience in Industry