One-on-one time often part of training for young basketball players

The student looked a little tired but Al Nolen kept encouraging — demanding — him to push himself.

"Do it again," Nolen said. "Play faster."

Ten-year-old Kristian Baker happily obliged, executing a series of crossovers and behind-the-back dribbles before firing a step-back jump shot that touched nothing but net.

"That's it," said Nolen, the former Gophers point guard.

This scene is being played out in gyms across Minnesota as more kids, even before high school, seek private instruction from former college and professional basketball players to improve their skills.

Baker, a fourth-grader from Golden Valley, has worked with different personal trainers since he was 7 years old. He is already talented enough to play two grade levels up for Minneapolis travel teams. Supported by his parents, he trains with Nolen once a week for an hour. The high-tempo workout includes advanced ball-handling and shooting drills.

"It's just like anything you do, like math or reading, if you put extra work in, you get better at it," said John Baker, Kristian's father.

A private session generally costs between $40 to $60 per hour, depending on age level and instructor.

Nolen played professionally in Europe for a few years after his Gophers career. He returned to the Twin Cities and works as an administrator at Park Center High. He started training kids after being approached by a number of parents looking for help.

"I have people come up to me with their kids as young as 5 years old," said Nolen, who uses Davis Community Center in Golden Valley as a home base. "I tell them there's not so much I can do with them at that age. People are really wanting to get their kids top-notch training. That's kind of the new norm around here."

Former Winona State player Kevin Kelley became one of the area's first private instructors in 1993 when he started a training program called Minnesota Developmental Basketball.

Kelley started with 150 kids and has grown his business steadily, making it his full-time job. He gives private instruction to 25 kids per week in the spring, 35 in the summer. He also has 20 coaches who assist him.

"He wants to improve his shot," Kelley said.

Former Minneapolis North star Khalid El-Amin started his own instructional business called El-Amin Training. The former NCAA champion, who played 16 years professionally, credits year-round training for helping Minnesota produce more talented players than ever before.

"I'm a firm believer that it takes players to another level," he said.

When John and Kelly Baker first sought private training for their son, they hoped to improve his fundamentals. Kristian also plays soccer and golf and loves to snowboard, so he's not specializing in basketball.

Nolen said he tries to strike a balance between pushing his students and making sure they enjoy workouts. He constantly reminds himself that Kristian is only 10.

"You always want them to have fun," Nolen said. "That way they will continue to want to work out."