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Rusch Skills Academy is a faith-based, basketball training business located in Clayton, North Carolina. The business was first started in 2019, and picked up some headway during 2022, receiving incredible feedback from local coaches in the area, other high level trainers around the country, and parents.
Philip Morrison, founder of the largest basketball training organization in Kentucky, Hoops for Christ, stated “Mason is a light for Christ and a true sponge of the game.” He was referring to Rusch Skills Academy’s lead trainer, Mason Rusch. Their training is detailed and they teach their athletes to also be a sponge of the game as well. They implement this type of learning by having their players break down film from home via the Rusch Skills Academy training app or during live zoom calls.
Clayton High School’s Head Coach, Everson Simmons, quoted on Rusch Skills Academy’s website “Mason is one of a kind. His training at Rusch Skills Academy is next level and he’s had an incredible impact on our program at Clayton. He’s not just a great trainer though, he’s been a phenomenal mentor to many players that have come through our program. He’s all about relationships, and that’s what I appreciate the most about him.” Rusch Skills Academy not only provides great training, but according to Coach Simmons he’s a great mentor too. Rusch Skills Academy’s motto is “Iron Sharpens Iron,” from the Bible verse Proverbs 27:17. They strive to sharpen their clients by teaching them about the Bible. Their lead trainer, Mason Rusch, is a strong believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ. He told us “When I stepped away from basketball to get surgery my freshman year of college, that’s when God really gripped my heart and revealed Himself to me through His Word. I saw my need for him, and I saw my brokenness. When the Lord saved me, I was given a new mission, and that was to impact lives for Him through the game. I now strive to do that at Rusch Skills Academy.” Mason and Rusch Skills Academy’s impact is going much further than basketball according to Mason. They strive to be excellent in providing high level training, but also in building up young players for Christ.
The Kings of Clayton AAU program started working with Rusch Skills Academy when they first began in 2019. Founder of the program is Simone Mitchell. Simone stated “We brought our team out to work at Rusch Skills Academy for an hour long session and it’s safe to say everyone in our program has been pretty loyal to training with them ever since that first workout. Their attention to detail is unparalleled to any other trainers our players have ever worked with, that’s why they keep going back. Many of our players are still working with them to this day.” Rusch Skills Academy has a great retention rate and they pay close attention to details. Rusch Skills Academy told us in an interview about their training that “Skill is truly the divider, it’s the micro details that separate good players from great players! That’s why our training is structured the way that it is.” They believe that the details are what separate them.
In our interview with Rusch Skills Academy they told us “We never asked for any reviews or kind words from parents, coaches, or other trainers. When you offer a great product and you are in it for the right reasons, then people will compliment your work without question. We strive to be the Chick-fil-A of the basketball training industry in the way we serve our community. Basketball is a platform for us to serve God and serve others.” The testimonials and positive feedback is a reflection of the way Rusch Skills Academy serves their community.
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