BIRTH PLACE: Beloit, Wisconsin

HIGH SCHOOL: L'anse Creuse North/Pershing

COLLEGE: Sam Houston State

SPECIALTIES: Shooting & footwork

TRAINING PHILOSOPHY: "To get players skilled in every area of basketball, making it impossible for one defender to guard them. "

FAVORITE PLAYER: #1 Michael Jordan, #2 Pete Maravich 

BIO:

Will Vance began his career as a basketball trainer in 2001 when there was not much of an industry for it, and there were few trainers on the amateur level. In a brief period, as his reputation grew, Will became a sought-after basketball trainer working with some of the top high school players in Michigan.  

Around 2005, Will was introduced to a high school player named Wesley Johnson. Wesley received few offers coming out of high school, but Will noticed the potential immediately. After graduating from high school, Wesley did not attend high school but spent the year training with Will improving his skill level. Wesley spent two years at Iowa State, and one at Syracuse becoming a first team All American. Wesly became the fourth pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA draft. 

A couple other standouts that Will trained who were overlooked coming out of high school are David Holston who made 450 three pointers which is the third best in NCAA division 1 history, and Justin Turner who became Bowling Green’s all-time leading scorer in 2021. 

In 2011, Will was hired as an assistant coach at Southfield Christian high School under Josh Baker who eventually became an assistant coach at the University of Alabama under head coach Nate Oats. Will joined Josh Baker’s staff and in their first year won the state championship in the state of Michigan. Southfield Christian won five state titles in eight years, collecting the most wins in the school's history. 

In 2013, Will joined former NBA player Tim McCormick who created Michigan Elite 25, which is a development program for the top 25 players in each high school grade levels. Will was over player development and coordinated all skill level development for the program. 

In 2016, Will was offered a coaching job in the CBA , one of the top overseas professional basketball leagues in the world located in Taiyuan, Shanxi (China). Will was the player development coach for the entire club, which had three teams. When Will returned to America from China, he was hired as an assistant basketball coach at Mississippi Valley State University. 

Will has trained thousands of players on all levels, amateur and professional. A few notable players are Lindsey Hunter (Detroit Pistons) Yante Maten University of Georgia (2018 SEC player of the year), Voshon Lenard (2004 NBA 3-point champion) Chad Baker (University of Auburn), Tyrece Radford (Texas A & M 2024).  

Will Vance appeared in Morgan Freeman’s documentary “Through the Wormhole” along with Michigan Fab Five Jimmy King. Also, conducted basketball camps and clinics with the following NBA players: Steve Smith, Glen “Big Dog” Robinson, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Spud Webb, and Joe Dumars.