elite Hooper to elite Coach: A Path Built on Grind
My earliest childhood memories were of the NBA. With four older brothers who all played, I didn’t have much choice in which sport I would pursue.
I played every single day throughout my childhood and eventually joined Brixton Topcats, one of the UK’s most decorated basketball programs.
Luol Deng and Pops Mensah-Bonsu, both ex-NBA players, came from there, and that environment made the NBA feel like a real possibility, not just a dream.
Years of pushing his body past its limits finally caught up with him. One moment he was locked in, chasing the next win — the next, he was on the floor, forced to face the cost of never slowing down. That collapse became the wake‑up call that shifted Benji from just surviving the grind to truly understanding it — and later, to teaching players how to chase greatness without breaking themselves.
From that moment on, Benji knew the grind had to mean more than just wins and highlights. BLAW Training was built from that lesson — a place where players are pushed to their limits, but also taught how to protect their bodies, sharpen their minds and carry themselves like pros on and off the court.
The Player's Life Story
All five boys grew up training with the Brixton Topcats under the late Jimmy Rogers, one of the UK’s most renowned coaches.
Home of the NBA alumni Luol Deng and Pops Mensah-Bonsu.
Being the youngest out of the brothers and cousins definitely had its benefits growing up. Two oldest siblings and two cousins would win the adidas national 3x3 tournament with raw talent and heart.
After standing out everywhere I played, at 16 it began to be apparent my potential was very high. I attended Ann Arbor Pioneer High School for my senior year in hopes of gaining exposure to the collegiate level. During this pivotal time, I was trained and mentored by my older brother Joel, owner of G1 Basketball in Denver, Colorado, who took me through rigorous NBA workouts for three years straight to prepare me for the highest level of competition.
After playing AAU for Team Michigan, I would receive a scholarship at Kellogg Community College before transferring to Wayne County Community College, leading that team with 17 ppg and 7 rebounds a game. Benji would receive interest from top Division One universities at the time: University of Michigan, Georgetown University, Baylor University, Stony Brook University, University of Florida, University of Pittsburgh and several others.
Benji would only learn of those schools’ interest after signing with a Division Two school, which was deliberately hidden by his coach at the time.This experience would ultimately give Ben a chip on his shoulder and would take years to get over the disappointment.
After taking a year out of the States, he returned to an NCAA Division Two full scholarship at Claflin University in South Carolina and won back-to-back conference titles with historical records of 24–2 the first season and 25–4 the second season.
After completion at Claflin, that summer Ben attended three back-to-back camps in Italy, Spain and Las Vegas before securing a contract in Italy C2. Amidst those three years Ben would study the A1 level, truly believing he had the ability to thrive at that level.
Throughout those years Benji would build a reputation as one of the UK’s most elite athletes. Ben would participate in slam dunk competitions, claiming six dunk contest titles internationally.
Finally Ben would get his chance playing A1 in Slovenia before walking away from the game due to the many frustrations, politics and corruption the game would bring.
After this Ben would spend several years searching for purpose and a new path.Working with Nike for four years whilst still actively playing and studying the game, it would be a heart attack on the basketball court that sparked this mission to share and mentor people through the game of basketball as his newfound purpose.
It was only then where he began to realise that his experience playing leagues and tournaments in Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Greece, Serbia, Canada and across the United States had shaped a unique perspective.Since launch in 2018 we have successfully worked with thousands of athletes and memorably trained one of the UK’s most remarkable talents the country has seen yet (Myles Barry).
A BOLD VISION
On and off the court, Benjamin recognized a critical void: athletes were being rushed through advanced drills without the fundamental foundation or character depth required for elite success. He envisioned a space where skill acquisition and personal growth were treated as inseparable pillars of excellence.
BLAW Training was born to fill that gap. Our academy is built on structured coaching, transparent feedback, and a community rooted in relentless effort and respect. We provide the mentorship Benjamin sought in his own journey, ensuring every player has the tools to navigate the invisible complexities of the game.
A Message from Benjamin
Join the Journey
Every athlete has a story to write. At BLAW Training, we provide the chapters—support, strategy, and soul—to help you reach your peak. Basketball is a tool for life; when we master the game together, we discover what we are truly capable of achieving off the court as well.
