Developing & Teaching with Jeremiah Dickerson
Learn about Coach Jeremiah Dickerson, the Founder & CEO of "Team Global Select", a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and teaching young athletes.
Behind the Coaching is introducing a new article series called the “Coach’s Corner”, where we will be interviewing coaches, mentors, and teachers from all different kinds of sports, no matter the level of competition. For our first installment, I had the opportunity to talk to Coach Jeremiah Dickerson, the Founder & CEO of “Team Global Select”, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and training young basketball athletes on and off the court.
"Team Global Select is to empower young student athletes in the knowledge of the game on the court and life off the court. We value being the best program to put out young scholarly athletes with the upmost respect. We want them to leave with a positive impact that they will receive in their lifetime." - Team Global Select’s Mission
Q: What was your inspiration for founding "Team Global Select"?
JD: My inspiration for founding Team Global Select was to create an elite platform that develops talented athletes both on and off the court, providing them with the exposure, mentorship, and resources needed to reach their full potential.
Q: Tell me your experience as a player, including what it was like being coached by David West?
JD: As a player, I was fortunate to have a strong career, earning all-conference honors in college and competing at a high level in high school and AAU. Being coached by David West, an NBA All-Star, was a game-changing experience. He really instilled in us the importance of mastering the details — everything from footwork and positioning to understanding game situations. He constantly emphasized that the little things separate good players from great ones. Off the court, he pushed us to take care of our bodies through proper nutrition, recovery, and preparation, treating our development like professionals even at a young age. He also taught us the nuances of the game — reading defenses, making smart decisions, and playing with a high IQ. That level of mentorship helped shape not just the player I became, but the coach and leader I am today.
Q: After your playing career, could you describe the transition going into coaching and training?
JD: After my playing career, transitioning into coaching and training felt like a natural next step. My passion for the game and the knowledge I gained from playing under elite coaches fueled my desire to mentor and develop the next generation. I focused on applying the same attention to detail, discipline, and strategic understanding that helped me succeed as a player, now from a leadership perspective.
Q: What are the most important steps when you’re evaluating a player and their talent?
JD: When evaluating a player and their talent, I focus on several key areas. Basketball IQ is crucial — I look at how well they read the game, make decisions, and adjust in real-time. Body language is another big factor; how a player carries themselves through success, adversity, and coaching says a lot about their mentality. Defensive IQ is just as important as offense — understanding rotations, help-side positioning, and communication on defense separates impact players. Communication overall, both on and off the court, is a major indicator of leadership potential and team chemistry. I also evaluate shooting ability, because being able to space the floor is essential in today’s game, and of course, athleticism — quickness, strength, and agility — plays a big role in a player’s ability to compete at a high level. All of these pieces together give a full picture of a player’s true value and potential.
Q: How would you describe your coaching philosophy?
JD: My coaching philosophy is built on discipline, effort, and attention to detail, with a strong foundation in defense. I believe defense sets the tone for everything — it builds toughness, creates offensive opportunities, and demands a level of communication and trust that makes teams successful.I focus on teaching players to take pride in getting stops, understanding rotations, contesting every shot, and playing physical without fouling. Offensively, I emphasize playing smart, unselfish basketball, but everything starts with our defensive mindset. I want my teams to be known for their energy, intensity, and ability to control games on the defensive end.
Q: When a player’s struggling with their performance, how and where would you start in getting them back into a productive mindset?
JD: When a player’s struggling with their performance, I start by breaking things down to the basics — getting them back to doing the simple things well. I’ll focus on their effort plays first: sprinting the floor, talking on defense, crashing the boards — things they can control regardless of whether the shot is falling.From there, I’ll help them lock back into their defensive assignments, because strong defense usually leads to confidence on offense. I also make sure we watch film together, showing them both the positives and areas to improve, so they can see the full picture and not just focus on mistakes.The key is building their confidence through small wins — hitting free throws, making the right read, locking up on defense — and reminding them that energy, focus, and toughness are the foundation, even when shots or stats aren’t going their way.
Q: Keeping players in shape physically is important, however, keeping them in shape mentally is equally as important, how can you maintain a positive and healthy environment?
JD: In basketball, maintaining a positive and healthy environment starts with building a strong team culture every day. I make sure practices are competitive but encouraging, where players are pushed to work hard but also supported when they make mistakes.We celebrate effort plays — taking charges, diving for loose balls, making the extra pass — just as much as scoring. I stay consistent with communication, whether it’s giving honest feedback, checking in one-on-one, or simply reminding guys to stay focused on the bigger picture during tough stretches. Team bonding off the court is just as important — it builds trust that translates into better chemistry in games. When players feel valued, respected, and part of something bigger than themselves, they stay mentally locked in and motivated to perform at their best.
Q: What’s your most favorite aspect about being a coach, mentor, and a teacher in your community?
JD: My favorite part about being a coach, mentor, and teacher in my community is seeing the growth — not just in players' skills, but in their confidence, their mindset, and the way they carry themselves on and off the court.There’s nothing better than helping a kid believe in themselves, push through adversity, and achieve things they didn’t think were possible. I take pride in not just building better players, but helping shape better young men who can be leaders in whatever path they choose, whether it’s basketball or life.
Once again, thank you to Coach Jeremiah Dickerson for joining Behind the Coaching and sharing his background, experience, and insight of how his daily coaching life. Be sure to check out his organization dedicated to developing and teaching the young athletes in his community by clicking the button below.
In the next upcoming days and weeks, we’re going to be meeting more coaches and hearing their stories and experiences within their sports and communities. If you to subscribe to Behind the Coaching for free, you’ll never miss a new post and you’ll be supporting us and our mission to honor the coaches, mentors, and teachers within our sports.