Mike Nilson, MA, CSCS, LPSN
BUILT 4 BALL has allowed me to combine three of my passions to help athletes achieve success on and off the court. I was able to play at the professional level not by being more skilled than other players, but by working hard in the weight room and taking care of my body off the court.
The last 15 years of my life have been dedicated to learning, practicing and teaching Basketball Nutrition, Basketball Workouts and Basketball Leadership.
CONTACT ME
This site is NCAA compliant and ALL athletes and coaches are allowed access to it. But, because I’m a Division I Strength and Conditioning coach, I’m not personally able to reply to emails from recruitable athletes. If you would like to contact the BUILT 4 BALL team, the best way is through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
EAT 4 BASKETBALL
Licensed Sports Nutritionist through the National Association of Sports Nutrition
Adjunct professor at Gonzaga University for Health & Nutrition classes
Conducts hundreds of nutritional consultation with Division I athletes
Completed Precision Nutrition’s year-long online training program
TRAIN 4 BASKETBALL
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA
Completed the Gray Institute’s 40-week mentorship program (GIFT)
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Gonzaga University
Trains high school, collegiate and professional basketball players
LEAD 4 BASKETBALL
Completed a Masters Degree in Leadership from Gonzaga University
Co-owner of U-District PT, a physical therapy & performance training clinic
Played in the Elite 8 and was Team Captain for Gonzaga’s Sweet 16 team
WCC All-Academic 1st Team & Defensive Player of the Year
MY STORY
My dream has always been to play Division I basketball. I had a successful high school career, but when it came time to sign a Division I scholarship, I didn’t have any offers. I ended up walking on at Gonzaga University with hopes of earning a spot on the team and one day being a starter.
My redshirt freshman year almost killed me. Every player was bigger, faster, stronger and more skilled than I was. Every practice was the toughest practice of my life. Every conditioning session was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I had no idea that it was going to be this challenging.
At the end of my redshirt year, the coaching staff told me I wasn’t good enough to be on scholarship. I was devastated, but with the encouragement of my family and teammates, I picked myself up and went to work. This is when I fell in love with basketball nutrition and working out.
I knew that if I could jump higher, cut quicker and finish stronger, I would have a chance at earning a scholarship. I dedicated myself to eating better and training harder. Since I wasn’t getting any playing time, there was no reason to save myself for games or practices. I lived in the weight room and used basketball workouts to improve my vertical, agility and strength.
As my athleticism increased, so did my playing time. I went from being a walk-on as a freshman, to a scholarship player as a sophomore. I kept training hard during the season and by the end of my sophomore year, I broke into the starting line-up! I wasn’t the most talented basketball player, but the workouts I did in the weight room gave me a physical and mental edge on the court.
I ended up having a great college career, earning WCC Defensive Player of the Year and making it to the Elite 8 and Sweet 16. But the best part of my story is that it’s not unique. Guys like Ryan Floyd, Mark Spink, Kyle Bankhead, Brian Michaelson, Andrew Sorenson, Mike Hart and David Stockton have all come to GU as walk-ons and left as scholarship players.
I see it every year: Athletes that put the time in off the court, get rewarded with playing time on the court.
Through hard work and discipline anything is possible. I hope you use this site to change your body and improve your athleticism. I’ll supply the information but only you can bring the passion and energy that it takes to play at the highest level.
Mike Nilson