Cebuano NBA trainer now licensed coach of USA Basketball

CEBU, Philippines – A Cebuano trainer in the National Basketball Association has earned a valuable addition to his shining credential after securing a license as USA Basketball coach.

Jefferson Codera,Jr., a member of the training camp of reigning NBA champions Golden State Warriors, has been issued a licensed as coach under the Youth Development of USA Basketball, the national governing body of basketball in the United States.

"First of all, I would like to thank God for all the blessings he had given me here in America," said Codera in a lengthy Facebook chat with this writer. "I am happy at the same time knowing that this will be an opportunity for me to share lots of things I've learned here to other players especially to my fellow Cebuanos."

Getting that 'golden pass' is very timely as Codera is set to return home next week to hold a series of basketball clinics to young aspiring cagers all over Cebu and other areas in the Visayas as part of his personal advocacy to touch others' lives and influence people through his know-how about the sport.

"As trainer/coach, I know that my responsibility is not only to teach people how to play basketball well but also to instill in them the values of respect, discipline and hard work," he said. "Aside from helping the players in decision making inside the court - mentally, physically and spiritually - it also my job to teach them the essence of sportsmanship, how to play clean, and deal with each game win or lose."

On the technical aspect of the game, Codera imparts to his students a variety of ball handling skills, which he is very good at. He also takes up proper shooting and some stamina, strength, and flexibility drills.

"As trainer, I really feel proud and happy seeing that those I trained have improved a lot in terms of their playing ability. For me that is the most important thing, having helped others reach their goals," said Codera, who gets a truckload of knowledge while working with other American coaches and trainers, some of them professionally working under NBA's D-League.

Growing up in Tabuk, Mandaue City, basketball fascinates most the 33-year-old Codera. At the age of 13, he did aspire to become a varsity player but pursuing his hardcourt fantasy seemed impossible given his family's meager income.

Once a 'jeepney dispatcher', never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that he would come this far and reach where he is now - a part of the basketball training program of the Golden State Warriors, the hottest team in the NBA today led by the phenomenal Stephen Curry.

Not only that, he also has his own training camp in the US, the Codera Power Play PH where 7 to 18 year olds sign up to get the best training recommended by coaches in the state.

One of the big names who has worked with Codera is Reggie Hearn, a former Northwestern standout who now plays for the Reno Bighorns, an affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, in the NBA D-League.

Hearn has nothing but praise and kind words for Codera.

"Jeff knows what he is doing as a trainer on the court. Throughout our time working together, he never once referred to any videos or sheets in training with me. Everything came from his own mind and experience, and it is no exaggeration when I say that in the 3 weeks I worked with him, we never repeated a drill," said Hearn.

"We worked on all aspects of the game, from ball handling to dribble combo moves to post moves to shooting to moves off a pivot, and each drill was fresh," Hearn continued. "In spite of all these great things Jeff did for me on the court, though, the greatest thing he did for my game was to believe in me and increase my confidence."

To those who yearn to follow in his footsteps, Codera has some words of wisdom for them:" Don't give up on your dreams. Trust and believe in yourself. Work hard and learn the value of discipline, then something good is going to happen in your life." (FREEMAN)