CEBU, Philippines — After a long wait, Cebuano basketball skills trainer and coach Jefferson "Jeff" L. Codera, Jr. finally received his two championship rings from the Golden State Warriors in the NBA.
More than a sense of pride, it gave the 40-year-old Codera a lifelong priceless treasure.
"Forever grateful to have this once in a lifetime Golden State Warriors 2017 and 2018 championship rings," Codera wrote on his Facebook page.
The Tabok, Mandaue City native Codera enjoyed such distinct privilege being a member of the Warriors training camp.
And the timing is so perfect for Codera as the Stephen Curry-led Warriors are back in the NBA playoffs after being eliminated for two consecutive seasons. Interestingly, the Warriors will begin their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series against the Memphis Grizzlies today.
"It’s a blessing for me," said Codera, who has already trained various national players including Reggie Hearn of the United States, Adrian Zamora of Mexico, and Jeff Chan and Carl Tamayo of Gilas Pilipinas. "I would like to share this to all aspiring coaches, players, and skills trainers that we must always work hard, have passion, dedication, and perseverance to follow our dreams in life."
"As they say, poverty is not a hindrance to success. It’s all about motivation believing in yourself. I’m very thankful to the Golden State Warriors organization, the people who believed in me, and most of all to God who gives me strength to become who am I now," Codera continued.
At the moment, Codera spends a lot of his time conducting one-on-one personalized training with a wide range of players from kids and young aspiring ballers to collegiate, commercial and professional cagers at his state-of-the-art training facility inside the Therrish Beach Resort in Maravilla, Tabuelan town north of Cebu.
Codera, a licensed 'Gold' coach of USA Basketball under its Youth Development Program, will also spearhead the Sunsport Basketball Free Seminar on Skills Training, Counter Attack Drills and Conditioning Techniques at their family-owned resort on May 14, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
Codera will be discussing and executing 12 major topics such as the importance of safety movement, balance footwork, proper pivot to avoid serious injury, evaluate strong and weak side of a player, footwork counter attack drills, and emphasize shot fake, and jab step to counter defender.
Nicknamed "Man of A Million Drills", Codera will also take up proper shooting mechanics and efficiency, Heavy Training Ball (HTB) control drills, HTB dribbling skills counter attack, HTB separation dribbling skills, mental skills training on how to make basketball easy, accurate moving without a ball, and counter attack skills training.
The free seminar powered by Sunsport through its manager Andrew Choachuy is open to all basketball enthusiasts, Physical Education teachers, school coaches, student-athletes, and fans. Only 60 slots are available on a first come, first-served basis. For inquiries, one may contact 345-1015 or 0949-8963817