Matt Gordon is the founder and owner of AYB, an organization he established in 2015 to provide a community-focused basketball program for the Arcadia area. His vision for AYB was to create a fun, safe environment for young athletes to focus on skill development, team training, and league games. He believes in the transformative power of basketball as a tool for youth development and instilling a love for the sport.

In addition to his role at AYB, Matt serves as the Head of School at Bella Vista College Prep and as the Business Director for the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association. His extensive roles in these organizations demonstrate his commitment to youth and basketball development.

Matt's contributions to basketball extend well beyond his work with AYB and Bella Vista. Prior to these roles, he was the Head Coach at Phoenix College for 14 years, where his leadership led the team to remarkable success. Under his guidance, the Bears won over 300 games, made 14 Region 1 Championship game appearances, and clinched four ACCAC (Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) conference championships. They also made seven trips to the NJCAA National Tournaments, with three Final Four appearances and one National Championship victory in 2014. His teams captured seven Region 1 Championships and seven District 1 Championships. For his exceptional coaching, Matt was recognized as the National Junior College Coach of the Year by the NABC and the NJCAA in 2014. His distinctive leadership also earned him the accolade of ACCAC Coach of the Year four times, and he was a seven-time recipient of the NJCAA District 1 Coach of the Year honor.

Matt's coaching career began at the University of Portland (2001-2003) where he was instrumental in player development and recruiting. His efforts then led him to Dominican University, where his coaching contributed to a significant 12-game increase in victories from the previous year and a spot in the league championship game. He was also part of the coaching staff at Cal State Northridge that led the Matadors to their first-ever 20-win season.

A graduate of UCLA, Matt was a Student Assistant for four years, a tenure that saw the Bruins reach the Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen twice during four straight NCAA tournament appearances. This early experience laid the groundwork for his remarkable career in coaching.

With his wealth of experience and a heart for youth development, Matt Gordon is an asset to AYB, contributing to the future of basketball in the Arcadia community.

Mark Phelps is stepping into his inaugural year as the full-time director of AYB, simultaneously holding his position as Director of Basketball Development at Bella Vista College Prep in its second year.

Phelps boasts a rich history in basketball, with nine years at the scholastic coaching level and an impressive 23 years in college coaching. Most recently, he spent the 2021-22 season at Dream City Christian School in Glendale, Arizona, where he coached the Post-Grad team. Prior to that, Phelps served for a year (2020-21) at Prolific Prep Academy in Napa, California. He guided his team to the quarterfinals of the Geico National Championship in Ft. Myers, Florida, concluding the season with a notable 31-4 record. All ten of Phelps' players secured Division 1 scholarships. (UCLA, Oregon, Washington State, SMU, Oklahoma, Dartmouth, Louisville, Oregon State, and LSU).

Phelps' coaching journey began in Virginia at two private Christian high schools. Born in Dayton, Ohio, Phelps grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he laid the foundations for his coaching career. He holds a degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Before becoming a head varsity coach, Phelps spent a season as the head JV coach at Rock Church Academy (Virginia Beach). Across six seasons as a varsity coach, he achieved a combined 148-53 record at two schools.

At Rock Church Academy, Phelps revitalized the varsity program (which had been dormant the previous two years), leading the team to a 104-41 record over four years and securing the Metro Conference regular-season and tournament championships for the last three years. In 1994, Phelps became head coach at Atlantic Shores Christian School and led the program to a two-year record of 44-12. Phelps' high school teams qualified for the Virginia State Independent Tournament in five of his six seasons, reaching the state quarterfinals three times and the semifinals twice. Phelps also coached middle school and high school girls basketball at Rock Church Academy.

In 1996 Phelps' began his college coaching career at NC State University. In his ten-year tenure, he helped guide the Wolfpack to post-season play nine times, including five consecutive NCAA appearances from 2002-2006, an achievement yet to be matched at the school. While at NC State, Phelps helped develop several NBA talents like Josh Powell, Cedric Simmons, and Julius Hodge.

Phelps was appointed associate head coach at Arizona State in 2006. There, he was instrumental in achieving one of the most impressive one-year turnarounds in college basketball, taking the team from 8 wins to 21 in just a year. At ASU, he coached future NBA players Jeff (Pendergraph) Ayers and James Harden.

In 2008, Phelps took the reins at Drake University, setting records for the most wins in the first four and five seasons in the school's history. His recruiting prowess was highlighted when he brought in two #1 ranked recruiting classes and a #2 ranked class in the Missouri Valley Conference. After his successful stint at Drake, Phelps served as an assistant coach for a year each at the University of Missouri and Marquette University.

Phelps' most recent college coaching role was at the University of Arizona. There, he helped lead the Wildcats to three NCAA Tournaments and helped develop future NBA players Lauri Markkanen, Allonzo Trier, and #1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton. In addition to his coaching role, Phelps was recognized as the #1 college recruiting assistant coach in the country after leading the recruitment of the #1 recruiting class in the country in 2019.

Phelps' invaluable experience and successful track record in coaching and player development will undoubtedly contribute significantly to AYB's mission. His reputation for fostering talent and his knack for recruiting and developing players will drive AYB's pursuit of excellence. Phelps lives with his wife, Alissa, and their two children, Owen, 14, and Laney, 12.

Isaiah Strong, a seasoned coach, is stepping into his 7th year with Arcadia Youth Basketball (AYB), actively participating in all three levels: Rec, Club, and Elite. Isaiah's basketball journey intertwines closely with AYB, having played under AYB Founder Matt Gordon at Phoenix College, followed by a stint under Coach Lucas Gabriel at Bellevue University, Nebraska.

At Mesquite High School, Gilbert, Arizona, Coach Strong displayed exceptional prowess under Coach Tom Salt's mentorship. As a three-year varsity player, he led his team to a 25-5 record in his senior year, averaging 21.2 points and 3.1 assists per game. Mesquite High made it to the playoffs in each of his three years, and he left the school as the All-Time Leader in scoring, 2FG%, and 3FG%. His stellar performance won him 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-Region accolades in his senior year.

Isaiah's time at Phoenix College was marked by personal growth and team success. Despite a redshirt year to recover from a torn ACL, Isaiah played two seasons, averaging 15.3 points and 2.4 assists per game in his final year. His performance won him 1st-Team All-Region and 2nd-Team All-Conference honors. In both of his playing years, the team qualified for the NJCAA National Tournament in Danville, Illinois (2011 & 2013).

Isaiah continued his journey at NAIA, Bellevue University, contributing to a formidable team that went 29-6 in his first season (2013-14) and made the NAIA National Tournament Elite 8 in both seasons he was there. Isaiah made significant contributions individually, scoring double figures 14 times and making at least one 3-pointer in 24 games. 

Adding to his extensive basketball repertoire, Coach Strong has also coached at The Creighton University Boys Basketball Camp in 2014 and served as Head Assistant Coach for Cicero Prep, Scottsdale, during the 2016-17 season. As he continues his tenure with AYB, we look forward to benefiting from his vast experience and passion for developing young talent.

Noah King, currently in his 4th year as a dedicated coach with AYB, continues to be a vital part of the organization. With a strong bond with AYB Founder Matt Gordon, dating back to their time together at Phoenix College, Noah effectively translates his extensive playing and coaching experience into fostering young talent at AYB.

Noah's basketball journey began at Greenway (Phoenix) High School, where he graduated in 2013. His collegiate career started at Phoenix College (2013-2015), highlighted by being part of the 2014 NJCAA Division II National Championship team.

After Phoenix College, Coach King moved to Regis University (2015-2017), where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. There, he became known for his high basketball IQ, leadership skills, and significant 41% 3FG as a senior. He was a key player in turning the team's culture around, setting the stage for a successful 20-win season. Noah's time at Regis also included an impressive record-tying feat of 13 assists in a single game.

Transitioning into a coaching role at Regis, Noah demonstrated his knack for player development. Under his mentorship, two key players led the team to its first-ever RMAC tournament championship and are now playing professionally in Australia and Georgia.

Beyond his role at AYB, Noah is entering his 2nd year as a coach at Bella Vista College Prep. His diverse background, combined with his unwavering commitment to player development, continues to be a valuable asset to both AYB and Bella Vista, driving young athletes to reach their full potential on and off the court.

Terrion Howard, originally from Champaign, Illinois, has been a significant contributor to AYB since 2018. As a coach, he uses his extensive basketball knowledge to aid young players' development in AYB's year-round program. His strong academic background, including a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management from the University of St. Francis and a Master's degree in Business Management, underscores his commitment to the sport.

Howard's basketball journey began at Centennial High School in Champaign, graduating in 2015. As a high school senior, he was named first-team all-conference. His impressive high school performance includes an average of 16 points and 5 assists per game, which landed him in the 1000+ point scoring club.

Upon graduation, he transitioned to Parkland College, also in Champaign. Here, he played as a starter for two years (2015-2017), leading his team to national tournament appearances twice, and they secured 5th and 4th place nationally. Howard was also named second-team all-conference at Parkland, where he averaged 13 points and 4 assists per game.

Continuing his basketball career at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois (2017-2019), Howard once again demonstrated his impressive skills both on and off the court. Leading in assists, steals, three-point percentage, and free throw percentage during his junior year and becoming the Saints' leading scorer in his senior year, he also led in assists, steals, and free throw percentage. His efforts were recognized with the Billy Manner Inspiration Award and first-team all-conference honors. These achievements helped the Saints clinch their first-ever conference tournament championship and first national tournament appearance/win. Additionally, his remarkable performances at St. Francis led to an invitation to the 2019 Eurobasket Summer League tour. Howard also joined the 1000+ point scoring club and averaged 15 points and 5 assists per game during his time at St. Francis. In addition to his on-court successes, his academic performance also earned him first-team all-academics honors.

After concluding his playing career, Howard began coaching at the University of St. Francis as a Graduate Assistant while also pursuing his Master's degree in Business Management. His responsibilities included player development, scouting, film analysis, and budgeting.

In addition to AYB, Howard is now in his second year coaching at Bella Vista College Prep in Arizona. His commitment to fostering relationships and sharing his wealth of experience with the next generation is a central part of his coaching approach, evident in his work at Bella Vista and AYB.

Coach Keaton is entering his debut season with AYB. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Keaton attended Waukesha South High School. As a high school player, he was recognized as a First-Team All-Conference player in the Classic 8. In 2016, he secured the State Champion 3-Point Shooter title, and he led the state in 3-point shooting percentage in 2017, at over 53%. Coach Stremick played at Heidelberg University in Ohio and Benedictine University in Illinois before graduating from UW-Green Bay with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

In the 2020-2021 season, Keaton became head freshman and assistant varsity coach at his alma mater, Waukesha South High School. The next season, he broadened his coaching experience at Bryant & Stratton College in Milwaukee as an assistant basketball coach. In addition to his assistant coaching role, he also took charge of the JV team and contributed significantly to player development for the program. This was a successful season for the Bobcats, rounding off with 19 wins, a run to the Region IV semifinals, and the graduation of All-American and All-Region players.

The 2022-2023 season saw Coach Stremick as the assistant basketball coach at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. His guidance was crucial in leading the team to their first-ever home playoff game and achieving the school's best record in nearly 50 years. The team also excelled in 3-point shooting, leading the nation in this aspect. Furthermore, three of the team's players earned all-conference selections, including an All-American.

Keaton's vast experience extends beyond team coaching. He has worked with numerous top-tier teams, coaches, and players, providing valuable insights and direction. He has also organized and assisted with various camps, clinics, and tournaments.

With Keaton's diverse coaching background and exceptional ability to guide players in developing their skills, particularly in 3-point shooting, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to AYB. His dedication to player development and success in fostering winning teams will undoubtedly be an invaluable asset to AYB, enhancing our program and contributing to the development of our young athletes.

AYB has a great success of coaches furthering their basketball coaching careers from working at Arcadia Youth Basketball

Former Coaches; Where They Went after AYB

Stevie Ledesma - Los Angeles Lakers (Film Room)

Ken Carrillo - Glendale CC (Head Coach)

Robert Rollison - St. Francis (IL) (Assistant Coach)

Marcus Nelson - SW Oregon CC (Assistant Coach)