Kiyan Anthony's high school head coach reveals one aspect of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan's routines he implements

In a short YouTube documentary capturing Kiyan Anthony's Long Island Lutheran Crusaders as they prepare for the Jordan Holiday Classic, coach and Principal John Buck spoke at length about the school, their basketball program and much more about the team's practice and training. The video, shared on Wednesday, captured the team's practice sessions, from the weight room to the courts.

The video also features the coach alongside players like Kiyan Anthony and Kayden Mingo, who discuss the team and their experiences so far. One of the most striking aspects of these conversations was John Buck's approach to practice:

"For our guys, I don't want them to be in so competitive environment that they say, 'I've never seen this.' You know, they have to be used to that. You could see when they get, you know, a little uncomfortable with the high level of competition, which is good in a lot of ways. Because as you work through that, then you're able to say, 'I've been here before.'" (2:15)

The coach likened this level of preparation to that of basketball legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant:

"I think you know Jordan talks about 'I'm not nervous cuz I've worked so hard.' Kobe, right? Like all these guys. So I want practice to be so intentional that I feel like when we hit a game, if someone beats us, they gave us their best shot." (2:33)

The coach further emphasized the reason for their high-intensity practice sessions, citing them as essential to what makes LUHI basketball what it is:

"I think it's practice, just coming in every day like that, getting after it, building habits, that edge, that toughness is what helps you win games. You know, I just have a healthy fear of going into competition not being prepared, and so that makes me approach practice with that edge." (2:51)

John Buck has been a part of Long Island Lutheran High School since 2007. So far this season, he has overseen the team through ten games, recording six wins. The team will be looking to improve its record, as it heads into this year's Jordan Holiday Classic, scheduled to take place from Friday to Sunday.

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Kiyan Anthony's Long Island Lutheran Crusaders headline 2024 Jordan Holiday Classic

The 2024 Jordan Holiday Classic is a three-day basketball event sponsored by MADE Hoops, featuring some of the top high school basketball teams across the country. This year's tournament is the third annual edition of the event.

Class of 2025 prospect Kiyan Anthony will be leading the Crusaders in this tournament as he makes his comeback from an injury that has kept him out for the past couple of games. They will be taking on highly rated Christopher Columbus High School, which is led by the five-star Boozer twins, Cameron and Cayden.

Other top players and teams, including Dynamic Prep's Jaden Tooms and Jermaine O'Neal Jr., and Link Academy's Chris Cenac, will also feature in the tournament.