Mission Statement

From the Ground Up

The Waukee JAM Basketball Club was founded in 2009-10 as a single 1st grade boys basketball team.  Today we run around 35 teams annually from 1st grade up through 12th.  

You've got a lot of good options if you're looking for competitive basketball in the metro & we've got a ton of respect for every program & coach out there trying to improve lives through the game of basketball.  

How are we different?

At JAM we are laser-focused on our families, our community, and player development.  While we can't promise college scholarships, we can promise to create an environment for our athletes to grow & become the best version of themselves.      

Our mantra is hard work, team first, and respect.  Our teams are aggressive, disciplined, and respectful.  While plenty of programs are the Duke's & Carolina's of the world, we're happily the mid-major.  We are the metro's mom & pop, competitive basketball club.  In the city for good, since 2009.  

#embracetheunderdog  #JAMFAM

From coach Jeremy 

Like a lot of dads, I love coaching my kids. When my oldest was in kindergarten I initially signed up to coach his rec basketball team and shortly after realized we needed something a little more competitive. I formed the Waukee JAM when he was a 1st grader and took that team all the way through High School. Along the way we became a pretty competitive group and played and won all around the region and I also discovered a calling and passion for coaching. 

As a part of my final project for my Master's thesis in 2015, I conducted a feasibility study on a new basketball program for the western metro.  As a result of that study, we took JAM to the masses & we're off to a pretty good start.  

Although I don't coach my kids anymore, my passion to coach & coach our coaches, along with my desire to help the youth & our community are as strong as ever.  I'm a 15-year youth coaching vet, and you tend to gain a little perspective the longer you do it.    

I'm an Iowa boy to the core - Carroll Kuemper Catholic Knight (class of '98), UNI Panther, Upper Iowa Peacock, & former musician turned family man.  I won't wow you with my basketball accolades here but I'll just say that in certain circles I am considered a playground/Gus Macker/Hoop-it-Up legend...  If you watch our teams today, fun style ball from back in the day comes through just a little bit.  

October-February

Timeline

In the Fall we run teams from 1st-8th grade, boys & girls.  Tryouts will be late July & team formation will follow.  Teams will start practices in mid to late October.  Tournament & league play generally begin in early November.  The seasons wrap in late February.

Practice

Our teams will practice 2x per week, older grades at 3 hours per week and younger grades at 2.  We always have extra practice opportunities throughout the course of the season in addition to dedicated skills practices for multiple grades.  We practice through our own private facility in addition to the Waukee CSD & a couple of other private facilities close by.  

Games  

Our goal is 30+ games per team.  We will work to find each team the right mix of competitive play - through leagues & tournaments.  

Travel

We do not travel a ton with our youth teams in the Fall, generally 1 or 2 away tournaments to locations like Omaha, Iowa City, or Kansas City.  

Coaches

We utilize a mix of paid coaches & parent coaches.  All coaches have been hand-picked and thoroughly vetted.  Our staff has the right perspective on player/team development over wins/losses.

Cost

Our fees are competitive & we feel as though there is a lot of value in our team & skills packages, along with access to our private facility, individual & small group training, and more.  Families who are selected are made aware of financial commitments at that time.  If you need specifics ahead of time, feel free to reach out to waukeejambasketball@gmail.com.

April - July

Timeline

In the Spring we run multiple teams from 8th - HS with a handful of youth teams.  Tryouts will be early March & team formation will follow to be finished by mid-March.  Teams will start practices in late March.  Tournament play will begin in April.  The seasons wrap in mid-July with a couple of Live NCAA Events.

Practice

Our teams will practice 2x per week early in the season, which can taper off to 1x per week later in the Summer.  Our aim is to appeal to multi-sport athletes in the Spring/Summer session so the practice commitment tends to be lighter relative to others.

Games  

Our goal is 25+ games per team.  Spring/Summer is tournament play only.  

Travel

There is a little more travel in the Spring/Summer.  Expect 3 travel tournaments to locations like Kansas City, Omaha, and Minneapolis.  

Coaches

Spring/Summer coaches are paid professional coaches and all USA Basketball Gold Certified.  

Cost

Our fees are competitive.  Spring/Summer athletes have full time access for free to our private gym for shooting, lifting, etc. Families who are selected are made aware of financial commitments at that time.  If you need specifics ahead of time, feel free to reach out to waukeejambasketball@gmail.com.

Recruiting/Exposure

There is an added additional layer of support for our athletes looking to make it to the next level.  This includes social media, video, photography, & partnerships with scouts & recruiting services, all at no additional cost.