Caleb Suggs

Hartselle Enquirer

Earlier this summer we did a story on former Hartselle basketball player Colsten Thompson. Thompson has been working as a private trainer in recent months. Recently Thompson was given the opportunity to join J Smith Hoops Inc., which is based out of Hoover, Ala. “They will be mentoring me as I grow as a trainer and take charge of the North Alabama area, specifically Huntsville where I will be moving this week, as a representative trainer of their organization,” Thompson said. “The main goal of having me out that way representing them, is to build athletes that are up in that area that used to with the trainers in J Smith Hoops before the organization had to leave that area.”

Thompson will be working with athletes that can’t make the commute to Hoover. “This will be huge for us as it will create opportunities for them to apart of our nationally know AAU team, JSI (J Smith International). JSI is a basketball organization that focuses on continuing to improve players overall game, while creating opportunities to play at the college level. The organization has a 14U, 15U, 16U and 17U team that will participate in the Adidas Uprising Gauntlet Circuit. The 14U team (JSI Storm) is ranked #8 in the nation and #1 in state. They have been the top team in the state for the past 5 years and have been a top 10 team in the nation for the past 10 years.  “A huge goal for me and the organization is to build up clients over the next couple months and make sure we promote ourselves and get our name/brand out,” Thompson said. “Hopefully by this time next summer we can hold a camp in the Huntsville area.” Thompson was just recently afforded the opportunity the work with NBA All-Star Anthony Davis’ first ever basketball camp in New Orleans. “I had the opportunity to meet Anthony Davis and talked with him during the duration of the trip,” Thompson said. “We look forward to doing business with him in the future.”