About
New Kent Basketball Academy offers basketball training programs that include Foundations Classes, Skills Development, Skills Classes, Elite Training, Summer Camp, and Mental Training programs. The program uses a three-tier training system with Foundations Classes, Skills Development, and Elite Training, and also includes piano teaching as an additional instructional offering. Foundations Classes, Skills Development, and Elite Training are structured to provide different levels of basketball training, including small group and 1-on-1 options.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Price: $12 per session for Foundations Classes; $25 per session for Skills Development/Skills Classes; $45 per session for Elite Training
Foundations Classes are for beginners ages 6–12 and use small groups of about 12–15 kids. Skills Development is for ages 8–15 and uses small groups of about 3–4 players for intensive skill work. Elite Training is for serious high school prep players, offers 1-on-1 coaching, and includes college recruitment guidance and mental game development, with a direct connection to the New Kent High School basketball program.
The New Kent Basketball Academy was founded in 2023 and is described as having a local community focus with the phrase “New Kent Players, By New Kent Coaches.” The program is not a franchise or chain, and coaches are described as neighbors who know the kids and understand the community. Ellen and Garrett Ross have spent the last 15 years volunteering and coaching in New Kent County and have over 20 years of youth training and teaching experience, including basketball, physical fitness training, and other subjects. Ellen has been teaching piano in New Kent for the last 15 years and has been focused on building Mental Training programs for schools and athletic programs.
Head Coach and Founder Garrett Ross has over 15 years of youth basketball training experience and 6 years as New Kent High School’s varsity coach, and he played on a state championship winning team in high school and college basketball at Southern Virginia University. Co-founder Ellen Ross and Garrett Ross both have their Masters in Education, and Ellen previously worked as a physical education teacher for elementary and middle school. Coach Donovan (Coach Gipson), the Assistant Varsity Coach and Player Development Specialist, is a New Kent native and graduate with 5+ years of coaching experience alongside the varsity coach at the varsity level, including 5 years as Assistant Varsity Coach at New Kent High School, travel basketball coaching with extensive tournament experience, high school coaching across multiple levels, and work as a Youth Development Specialist.
Will Ross serves as an Elite Player Trainer and Player Development Specialist and is a 2025 New Kent High School graduate, Bay Rivers District Player of the Year (2025), 2nd Team All-State selection, and state leader in 3-point shooting with 4 made per game at 44%. Will Ross is a 4-year varsity starter at New Kent High School, holds New Kent records for 3-pointers in a game, season, and career, and holds the all-time record for highest free throw percentage at New Kent, and is a college recruit with multiple offers who will attend Spire Academy in Fall 2025. Youth Development Coach and current senior Marty Wray is a 3-year varsity player who is Top 10 in Virginia for made 3-pointers in 2024–25, the 2nd leading scorer on the New Kent varsity team in 2024–25, and 2nd all-time at New Kent for 3-pointers made in a season. Will Ross and Marty Wray are described as products of the academy’s development system and as living proof of its effectiveness.
The academy states that its focus is on the fundamentals of the game to develop a skill set that magnifies team play and enables the individual to succeed with the help of their teammates. The program is working with teachers, coaches, trainers, and volunteers to build an academy focused on the development of basketball and the student athlete in New Kent County and surrounding areas, with a direct connection to the New Kent High School basketball program. Testimonials from parents describe NKBA as instrumental in players’ success on and off the court, mention foundational skills, drills, and playing opportunities, and highlight coaching that brings knowledge, passion, and patience while bolstering confidence, selflessness, and leadership.
Last updated January 20, 2026.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Price: $12 per session for Foundations Classes; $25 per session for Skills Development/Skills Classes; $45 per session for Elite Training
Foundations Classes are for beginners ages 6–12 and use small groups of about 12–15 kids. Skills Development is for ages 8–15 and uses small groups of about 3–4 players for intensive skill work. Elite Training is for serious high school prep players, offers 1-on-1 coaching, and includes college recruitment guidance and mental game development, with a direct connection to the New Kent High School basketball program.
The New Kent Basketball Academy was founded in 2023 and is described as having a local community focus with the phrase “New Kent Players, By New Kent Coaches.” The program is not a franchise or chain, and coaches are described as neighbors who know the kids and understand the community. Ellen and Garrett Ross have spent the last 15 years volunteering and coaching in New Kent County and have over 20 years of youth training and teaching experience, including basketball, physical fitness training, and other subjects. Ellen has been teaching piano in New Kent for the last 15 years and has been focused on building Mental Training programs for schools and athletic programs.
Head Coach and Founder Garrett Ross has over 15 years of youth basketball training experience and 6 years as New Kent High School’s varsity coach, and he played on a state championship winning team in high school and college basketball at Southern Virginia University. Co-founder Ellen Ross and Garrett Ross both have their Masters in Education, and Ellen previously worked as a physical education teacher for elementary and middle school. Coach Donovan (Coach Gipson), the Assistant Varsity Coach and Player Development Specialist, is a New Kent native and graduate with 5+ years of coaching experience alongside the varsity coach at the varsity level, including 5 years as Assistant Varsity Coach at New Kent High School, travel basketball coaching with extensive tournament experience, high school coaching across multiple levels, and work as a Youth Development Specialist.
Will Ross serves as an Elite Player Trainer and Player Development Specialist and is a 2025 New Kent High School graduate, Bay Rivers District Player of the Year (2025), 2nd Team All-State selection, and state leader in 3-point shooting with 4 made per game at 44%. Will Ross is a 4-year varsity starter at New Kent High School, holds New Kent records for 3-pointers in a game, season, and career, and holds the all-time record for highest free throw percentage at New Kent, and is a college recruit with multiple offers who will attend Spire Academy in Fall 2025. Youth Development Coach and current senior Marty Wray is a 3-year varsity player who is Top 10 in Virginia for made 3-pointers in 2024–25, the 2nd leading scorer on the New Kent varsity team in 2024–25, and 2nd all-time at New Kent for 3-pointers made in a season. Will Ross and Marty Wray are described as products of the academy’s development system and as living proof of its effectiveness.
The academy states that its focus is on the fundamentals of the game to develop a skill set that magnifies team play and enables the individual to succeed with the help of their teammates. The program is working with teachers, coaches, trainers, and volunteers to build an academy focused on the development of basketball and the student athlete in New Kent County and surrounding areas, with a direct connection to the New Kent High School basketball program. Testimonials from parents describe NKBA as instrumental in players’ success on and off the court, mention foundational skills, drills, and playing opportunities, and highlight coaching that brings knowledge, passion, and patience while bolstering confidence, selflessness, and leadership.
Last updated January 20, 2026.
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