Better Basketball Academy, Laurel

Whether they’re running camps, clinics, or private sessions, the coaches at Better Basketball Academy always have one goal in mind: improving their pupils’ on-court talents. Experienced coaches and players themselves, the academy’s First Aid- and CPR-certified staffers help maintain a failure-free environment for kids to hone the game’s fundamentals. Through technical instruction, drills, and scrimmages, children age 5–15 improve their dribbling, shooting, and teamwork, including forming human pyramids to help their shortest teammate dunk. To further inspire youngsters, the academy hosts monthly three-on-three tournaments where older players can showcase their alley-ooping and shot-blocking skills.