Life Time NYC Basketball Trainer Matt Thomas shares his journey from the streets of Harlem to Youtube Basketball Star in our first Never Retire story of 2024.

Every day as a child I always knew that I wanted more for myself as well as those around me. From wanting to be a superhero and save the world to wanting to be a doctor and heal the world I knew I had bigger plans for myself even if the world didn’t know it yet.

Well, here is my story … I am a junior college product which isn’t the most traditional route to take when trying to play professionally. Knowing all those who came before me junior college was frowned upon because most transfers don’t complete their time in school which results in them being in the transfer portal with credits that won’t apply to their next destination.

I ended up playing 2 full years at Bronx community college where I won 3 collegiate Championships against some tough competition from all over the world. Growing up in Harlem NY the chances of making it out was slim due to the constant shootings, gang violence and a drug induced neighborhood that stunned the growth of any talent making it out. There were so many factors that could’ve stopped me from succeeding in life that missed me but unfortunately caught some of my peers. Knowing this constant reminder every time I left my house, I knew to never allow myself to get comfortable no matter what my environment may subject me to.

I left Bronx community college ranked #1 in wins , #5 in scoring , #3 in assist, #4 in steals. Throughout all this hard work I still didn’t have a school to transfer to that I felt was of my liking and away from my current living situation. My family and I waited for months once my last season in juco was over to receive a phone call from a Division 1 NAIA school out in Kentucky which would provide me with a full time scholarship so that I can continue my schooling and basketball career. Union College KY was an amazing experience where I played well at in which I led the team in scoring and was one of the top leading scorers on my team. I decided to leave Union College due to health complications with my mother and stayed home for the rest of the year. The following year I was blessed with another opportunity in which I was able to take my talents to Salem International University in West Virginia where I wouldn’t have the best senior season but because of the isolation of the campus I was able to develop my character, my mind and my work ethic inspired by the late great Kobe Bryant.

The work that I would have put in over the course of these years allowed me to compete in Germany where I was ranked the #4 Guard in Bonn Germany. I was able to play in Dominican Republic where I excelled with my style of play and left an impression on every coach I came across. I was one of the last players cut from the National G League draft where I averaged 21 ppg and 5 apg leading my team to an undefeated record but couldn’t solidify that deal.

I am grateful for any opportunity I have had or will have with this career of mine. Currently I have decided to still pursue my career of basketball but with me overseeing it. I have created my own YouTube channel where I travel the world and compete against anyone possible. I control the narrative of my career and impact those around me with my wins and my losses allowing people to understand each version of myself requires some type of growth. Allowing my trials and tribulations to be on display with this intent I want the world to know that growth can be a difficult process however if you are comfortable with the direction of your life then you have won essentially.

All this basketball that I have an I continue to do has brought me into training basketball players. Many days and nights I would miss sleep, miss meals and miss out on relationships that now seemed like a life-or-death choice. In life we are constantly connecting the dots trying to understand this life that we live. I never knew why I never could lock in those big-time contracts and for someone working so hard for it could really make you question the existence of what you call a career. I was brought to this moment where I can enlighten and inspire you reading this. From working so hard to trying to make it to the NBA feeling like I came up short, I now find myself training with the same players I used to admire. I’ve worked with Carmelo Anthony, Julius Randle, Bones Hyland, Cleanthony Early and many more professional and college athletes.

I say this to let you know, stayed inspired and keep pushing. Never retire and make this world a better place than when you came into it

Follow Matt Thomas on Instagram at mattthomas_nyc and his Youtube Channel .