On Deck Official LLC

HistoryCo-founders Oscar Bellfield and Taylor Shipley both grew up in Los Angeles, CA and began playing on the same nationally-ranked AAU basketball team at 12 years old. They attended rival high schools (Westchester High School and Palisades High School, respectively) and competed against each other throughout their careers there. Each went on to play high-level college basketball: Oscar graduated from UNLV as the starting point guard all of his four years making three NCAA Tournament appearances and is second in assists in the Mountain West Conference; and, Taylor played for University of the Pacific, LA Trade Tech, and after three knee surgeries was able to play for and graduate from University of Nebraska-Kearney. Oscar went on to play professionally in various countries around the world, but after he was sidelined due to an injury, he came back home to Los Angeles. After connecting with Taylor once again, they decided to create the Sports Preparation Institute to rebuild youth sports.SpecialtiesThe challenge of balancing sports and education effects every athlete in one way or another. Being organized and disciplined enough to both excel on the court and in the classroom is something that is learned. At the Sports Preparation Institute, we do not want to just teach great basketball, we want to provide the resources needed to make today's youth thrive as educated leaders of the future.