Coach's Corner: "More Than the Game The Heart Behind Kentuckiana Hoops"

Before the name Kentuckiana Hoops ever hit the circuit, Scotty Sprigg was a coach chasing a vision bigger than basketball. His path began on the sidelines of middle and high school gyms across Kentucky, learning early on that true coaching was measured not in trophies but in the lives you touch. He credits Erik Brice, founder of “Next Level,” as the mentor who changed his perspective, showing him that coaching is about relationships, not records. Those lessons stuck. From there, Scotty joined the Louisville Defenders on the UA Rise Circuit, guiding six players who went on to compete at the D1, D2, NAIA, and JUCO levels. Later, he worked with Griffin Elite, one of Kentucky’s most respected programs known for producing top talent. Each stop built a foundation rooted in development, discipline, and trust, the same principles that would shape what became Kentuckiana Hoops AAU.

Kentuckiana Hoops was born from a powerful idea shared between Scotty and Cole Thompson, owner of KYIN Hoops, build something for the kids that could take their dreams to the next level. What started as a conversation turned into one of the most respected programs in the region. Now entering their second year competing on the PRO16 NXTPRO League, the program has become a symbol of opportunity and exposure for student athletes chasing college basketball dreams. For Scotty, that platform isn’t just about competition; it’s about creating a space where players feel seen, supported, and understood.

Ask him what drives him, and the answer comes without hesitation, the impact. For Coach Sprigg, basketball has always been the bridge to something greater. “Building lifelong friendships will forever outweigh accomplishments and wins,” he says. “It’s about making sure your players know you’re there for them through everything.” His focus goes beyond the scoreboard. He’s intentional about reminding kids that it’s okay to express emotions, face adversity head-on, and learn from it. Coaching for Scotty is about molding character, not just athletes.

Culture is the heartbeat of Kentuckiana Hoops. Scotty’s vision of success starts with building the right foundation, coaches, players, and families who all believe in the same purpose. When he recruits, he looks for high-character players who understand the value of sacrifice and teamwork. “You have to put together a group of guys who can put their ego aside and play their role to perfection,” he explains. “That’s when you see real success, when players have that WE over ME mindset.” It’s that culture, one rooted in accountability, humility, and togetherness, that’s made Kentuckiana Hoops a name people respect across the country.

For the kids who come through his program, Scotty is more than a coach. He’s a mentor, a voice of reason, and at times, a father figure. Many of the players he works with carry burdens far heavier than missed shots or tough losses, and he knows how important it is to meet them where they are. Kentuckiana Hoops has become a safe haven for players facing adversity, a place to grow as people, not just prospects.

When asked what he wants young athletes grinding in gyms to remember, Scotty’s message hits deep. “Give it everything you have and love every minute of it. It only takes one opportunity to change your life forever.” Those words carry weight because they come from someone who’s seen the power of that one opportunity, both on and off the court.

Scotty Sprigg’s journey is proof that passion and purpose can change lives. Through every tournament, every road trip, every late-night conversation, he’s left a mark that goes far beyond basketball. “I’m forever thankful for everything coaching has done for me,” he says. “The impact, the connections, the relationships, traveling all over the country, those are memories I’ll never forget. When it’s all said and done, I hope everyone who played for me can look back and say, ‘Coach gave me his all and never gave up on me.’”

Kentuckiana Hoops isn’t just a program, it’s a family built on faith, grit, and love for the game. And at the center of it all stands Coach Scotty Sprigg, a man who built more than a team; he built a legacy that will echo in every player he’s helped find their way.