HOLLAND, Mich. — Over the past two years, there have been one Mr. and two Miss Basketball winners from West Michigan.
Durral Brooks out of Grand Rapids Catholic Central took home Mr. Basketball in 2024, while West Ottawa's Gabby Reynolds and East Grand Rapids' Macy Brown were named Miss Basketball in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
There is one man who is the common denominator for the three honorees.
"Starting this on my own and really seeing where it is at now, it is just full circle now," Jorddan Myrick said.
Jorddan Myrick trained all three of the winners.
"All three of them are just special," Myrick said. "Obviously, they are gifted but they take their workouts very serious. They are really dedicated to the craft. That's really what puts them over the top."
The 2011 West Ottawa alum might not take credit for their success, but fellow West Ottawa Panther Gabby Reynolds gives him all of the praise. The two met after Reynolds' freshman season and immediately developed a brother and sister-like bond.
"He has literally changed my game," Reynolds said. "Without him, I would not be Miss Basketball. I would not have any offers. I just don't think I would be anywhere. I am very grateful. Beyond grateful."
Going down the training path was never the plan.
Myrick was rehabbing an injury after his playing days at Central Michigan and Lake Superior State. That's when a dad asked him to train his son.
"He's like, 'I am not going to take no for an answer,'" Myrick said. "'Just give me an amount.' That's how it got started."
At first, it was not easy for the soft-spoken hooper.
"Naturally, I am an introvert," Myrick said. "Doing basketball training you definitely have to be more out there and more personable and talk to people. I feel like now I am more open and willing to reach out and talk more."
It's been full throttle down the training path ever since. The 31-year-old stands out because he is always available. He simulates game-like situations to make game days easier.
"He is an amazing trainer, but he is also a good person," Macy Brown said. "You can laugh with him and crack jokes. It is the perfect balance of holding us accountable but also getting on us and being able to still build our confidence."
Myrick is not your typical trainer. He has never screamed during his six years in the profession.
"I don't think it is physically possible for me to yell," Myrick said. "It is more like we laugh a lot."
That personable approach has translated very well to getting the best out of his players, especially in the details with footwork and body movements.
"He has a great feel for the game shooting-wise, dribbling-wise and how to read different situations," Durral Brooks said. "It is really good to have him around to teach me how to become a better player."
Like his players, Myrick also aims to get better with his training.
"I just want to see myself continue to grow and grow as a person more," Myrick said.
He said that growth will be easy if he sticks to his guns.
"Basketball training is obviously intense and we have a goal in mind every time we are on the court," Myrick said. "For this, it is family to me. Everybody I hit the court with it's like family."
Myrick trains basketball players as young as 10 years old. His goal is to train an NBA player someday.
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