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Flash’s Hoops…Coach’s Comments
“What they’re saying about Bill Flanagan”
Rob Judson…Head Coach/NIU
“I have known Bill Flanagan for over twelve years. During that time he has developed his basketball camps and exposure shootouts with the highest of quality. The events run like clockwork, and every college coach, parent, and media person in attendance is impressed with the organization. Bill Flanagan works hard to bring in the best talent that the Midwest has to offer. Naturally we are biased to the quality of player in the state of Illinois.
On the national level however, Coach Flanagan’s events rate at the top. Bill does an excellent job working with the high school coaches as well as the AAU programs across the Midwest in order to have the best players in the country at his events. Recently, Bill Flanagan’s shootout boasted the player that most evaluator’s feel is the number one prospect in the country…Shaun Livingston of Peoria Central HS, Peoria, IL.”
Gene Smithson…now recently retired, Gene was one of the winningest coaches in the Nation having coached national powers and nationally rated teams at both Illinois State University and Wichita State University. He also had 30 players drafted by the NBA including such names as Doug Collins, Xavier McDaniel, Antoine Carr, Cliff Levingston and Jeff Wilkins to name a few of the thirty.
“I have known Bill Flanagan for thirty one (31) years. He served in the capacity of Assistant Basketball Coach for me at Illinois State University. Flash is an outstanding judge of talent. Having chosen a profession of operating basketball exposure camps for the benefit of exposing the talents of young players to the higher levels of the game, he is a credit to the business.
Young athletes attending Flash’s camps will receive a coach’s expertise, a parental like interest and a professional pipeline (for placement and exposure) nationwide.”
Rodney Watson…Assistant Coach for one of the top NCAA D-1 programs in the Midwest. SIU-C has been a power from the Missouri Valley Conference and during Watson’s tenure has become a perennial NCAA qualifier on a yearly basis. He has assisted four highly successful coaches in a row at Southern Illinois in Rich Herrin (retired), Bruce Weber (Illinois), Matt Painter (Purdue) and Chris Lowery (SIU-C).
“At Flash’s events, college coaches are able to evaluate basketball skill level (passing, dribbling, shooting, rebounding & defense), athletic ability (running jumping catching, sliding and pivoting) and personal character (personal and academic background).
You’re ability to discover unknown talent is especially impressive. You do an excellent job in acquainting these young men with the recruiting process, and you care about their future.”
Terry Knapp…former successful high school coach at Peoria Bergan and Canton H.S. and coach of 3 past Illinois AAU State Championships 17U …”Team AIR ILLINOIS.”
“The road to success is always under construction. AAU basketball is important to improving one’s game. In traveling the state and the country…lifelong friendships are made. Bill Flanagan is constantly on watch for college players at all levels…helping bring ballplayers and colleges together for that “Right Fit”!
Flash and I have become “steadfast” friends as a result of meeting through AAU basketball.”
Randy Smithson…former head coach at Wichita State University…currently Head Coach at Butler County C.C. El Dorado, KS
Randy says of Flash a long time friend and former coach of his, “Flash’s expertise and relationships with the players have always been nothing but first class! His communication skills with young people are tremendous and the contacts he has through athletics have made him a respected name in the coaching
