Taiya Kikunga

All you need is for ONE program to believe in you. One opportunity

Players pay attention: Angela Dugalic came off the bench at UCLA.. and is a top 10 draft pick in the W. Your impact as a player for your team is your most valuable asset. Doesn’t matter if you start or come off the bench….just be your best in the role you’re asked to play. YOU WILL GET NOTICED..

Your reminder that nothing’s determined in a day 🙂‍↔️

When I left college coaching in Kansas for HS ball in Texas, I had no roadmap—no mentors, just lessons learned the hard way. Now, over a decade in, I’m committed to giving back so other coaches can move faster, avoid the pitfalls, and lead with clarity. Thank you @Always_CoachD for having me. #pressureproofperfomance

"If you don't yell at your stars, you can't yell at your mediocre players." Chuck gave his take on what makes a great coach 👀

Dawn Staley shares the question every recruit should ask and almost none of them do. "Everybody's good on the good days. It is who you can trust, who you can talk to and communicate with on your worst day." Then she explained what she tells every recruit: "We're gonna make you feel good during the recruiting process. You're gonna come here, we're gonna roll out the red carpet, we're gonna give you our best. Everybody's gonna do that." Every program shows you their best - that's the easy part. But it comes down to trust. "I want you to think about if it's 2 or 3 years down the line, when you in a slump, or when you lost a parent, or you broke up with a boyfriend, or whatever - Who's gonna get you back on course to be your talented self?" That's the real question. Not who recruits you the hardest, but who do you trust? And who do you believe will commit to you and your future? Everyone looks good when things are easy. The real test is who shows up when things get hard. (🎥@OldManAndThree )

“Young people, you need to bet on yourself. If you think you're that good, you don't need a handout. You just allow your work to speak for itself." Do not ask to be chosen. Work until you cannot be ignored.

“The job is to educate and mentor. If you put winning at all costs ahead of that, your not a real coach” - Shea Ralph

2 types of coaches: Those who: Coddle Tell you what you want to hear Don’t hold you accountable Don't believe in you Let you go through the motions Those who: Tell you the truth Encourage Challenge Hold you accountable Inspire Demand excellence ONLY 1 gets you ready for LIFE!

"I don't have to be their life, but they are my life." Kelvin Sampson talks on the importance of not taking a break to make sure his players are taken care of for the next step in their lives. ❤️

Oluchi Okananwa on her moment with coach Brenda Frese 🗣️ "I love to be coached hard, and that's what she does with me every single day."

Hard coaching without relationship produces resentment. Relationship without hard coaching produces entitlement. The sweet spot is a player who knows you love them and knows you will not lower the bar for them.

I’m taking the kid averaging 15 on a good team over a kid that averages 30 on a bad team. ALL DAY. EVERYDAY.

🏀THREE IN A ROW!🏆 The defending 6A Division I Champs🥇 are headed back to the State Final Four — 3 in a row, 5 all-time for @sc_ladyhoops !🤯 REGION III FINAL🔢 Summer Creek - 45 Dawson - 40 ⭐️s SC - @kennedyy4x - 16 pts SC - Addison Martin - 15 pts 📸🎥 @MatthewOgle777

Kids don’t want things to be easier. They want structure, clear routines, clear expectations, and consistent follow-through. But, structure without relationship is just control. High standards only work when we pair them with high support. Demand more. Teach more. Care more.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of former assistant coach Michael Pittman. He loved the game and McNeese, and he always wore a warm smile. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and everyone whose lives he touched.

Grambling State Athletics Mourns the Passing of Women’s Basketball Assistant Michael Pittman gsutigers.com/news/2026/2/16…

PHENOMENAL empowerment session on The Hill with the Prairie View A&M University @PVAMU_WBB Women’s Basketball program this morning‼️ We discussed Growth Mindset and Humility. Thanks @CoachTaiDill for inviting me to inspire this group of game changers. #ShepInspires #KeepTheChange #PVAMU

Let’s go!! 💜💛💜

@Mickdog7 @sc_ladyhoops @CoachTaiDill @PiersonPassion @Always_CoachD @HoustonLadyNets @PVAMUPanthers Thank you!

@Taikikunga @sc_ladyhoops @CoachTaiDill @PiersonPassion @Always_CoachD @HoustonLadyNets @PVAMUPanthers Welcome to the Hill🙌

Headed to The Hill💛💜