Coach’s Corner: "The Heart and Purpose Behind BIG SHOTS"

Before BIG SHOTS became one of the most respected grassroots basketball platforms in the nation, there was simply Kevin Schneider, a driven competitor, a point guard with vision, and a coach’s son molded by the game. Growing up around basketball and later playing at Longwood University and Hawaii Pacific University, Kevin learned early that leadership isn’t about stats or titles, it’s about putting teammates in the best position to succeed. That same mindset fuels the foundation of BIG SHOTS today. Alongside his father, Jeff Schneider, a two-time high school state player of the year in West Virginia who went on to play at Virginia Tech and coach under legends like Jim Larrañaga and Tubby Smith, the Schneiders transformed a shared love of basketball into something much larger, a family-run platform built on integrity, opportunity, and faith in the next generation.

The spark for BIG SHOTS was born from a simple, heartfelt mission. While living in Phoenix, Jeff had stepped away from college coaching and started a recruiting service and travel teams to help players earn scholarships. Kevin, then an unsigned senior, and his younger brother David, who went on to star at William & Mary, began playing and coaching side by side. That first season changed everything, producing 18 college scholarships and the vision for what would become one of the country’s premier exposure programs. Yet the name BIG SHOTS came from something far deeper. After the tragic passing of Taylor Burgstahler, son of their team’s coach, Guy Burgstahler, a partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods helped birth BIG SHOTS Myrtle Beach Live in 2006. For Kevin, that moment cemented their purpose to give every player, no matter their skill level, a chance to make memories that last a lifetime.

Nearly two decades later, BIG SHOTS has evolved into a year-round platform that runs events, showcases, and tournaments across the region, offering visibility to thousands of players nationwide. But it hasn’t come without challenges. Kevin credits the hardest part of building the brand to one simple truth: consistency. Gaining the trust of families, players, and coaches year after year while expanding into new markets takes relentless effort. What started as a few local events has grown into a community. The Schneiders measure success not just in numbers, but in relationships. Families return every season, alumni bring their own children, and players who once competed in BIG SHOTS now return as college athletes or even coaches. It’s no longer just a circuit, it’s a legacy.

That legacy isn’t just measured in highlights or headlines. Since 2006, BIG SHOTS alumni have earned over $3 billion in college scholarships, with 375 players reaching the NBA. Kevin says the pride comes not from the fame, but from knowing each athlete, from the hidden gem to the future pro, found a platform that believed in them. Seeing former players on ESPN, competing in March Madness, or returning to mentor the next wave of talent reminds him of what this brand truly stands for: connection, family, and opportunity.

Recruiting has always been the lifeblood of BIG SHOTS, but Kevin knows the game has changed. With the transfer portal reshaping college basketball, he teaches players and families to adapt rather than complain. Be patient, be proactive, and always be ready. He emphasizes that relationships and character still open more doors than highlight reels ever could. “Coaches move up, situations change,” he says. “But if you treat people right and keep working, your opportunity will come.”

When asked what separates those who make it from those who don’t, Kevin’s answer is simple, mindset. Everyone has talent at a certain level, but not everyone has the discipline, humility, and hunger to stay coachable and compete every day. BIG SHOTS preaches the value of doing the little things that don’t require talent: effort, attitude, and consistency. Those are the things college coaches notice most, and they’re the ones Kevin demands from every athlete in his events.

Beyond the courts, the most fulfilling part of Kevin's journey has been sharing it with his family. Working side by side with his father for nearly 20 years has been a gift he doesn’t take lightly. The lessons, memories, and shared purpose have created something few families ever experience. Now, with his brother Bryce handling operations and energizing events behind the mic, it has truly come full circle. The Schneiders aren’t just building a brand, they’re nurturing a legacy rooted in love for the game and each other.

Kevin’s “why” is to help the next generation chase their dreams. Every tournament, every handshake, every proud parent in the stands is a reminder of that purpose. He knows not every player will reach the pros, but if BIG SHOTS helps them gain confidence, earn a scholarship, or learn life lessons through competition, then it’s a win.

The mission has always remained the same: “Hit the Big Shots, providing scholarship opportunities and lifelong memories for the masses.” And his message to every young athlete grinding for a chance to be seen is one he lives by himself: set goals, control what you can control, and give everything you have to the game you love. Because in a world of rankings, stats, and recruiting buzz, effort still speaks the loudest.

After twenty years, Kevin Schneider stands as proof that when passion meets purpose, something bigger than basketball can be born. BIG SHOTS is more than a circuit, it’s a movement, a family, and a reminder that the game will always reward those who play it the right way.