Coach CJ Appleton

Three pillars: footwork, mechanics, mental resilience.

CJ Appleton is a former Division 1 athlete and current Duke University professor who has spent over a decade dedicated to elite basketball development. As a Nike Sports Camp director and seasoned coach at the AAU and high-school levels, he founded Jumpstart Hoops to bridge the gap between weekend rec leagues and competitive prep basketball.

Under his guidance, hundreds of local athletes have transitioned from recreational play onto competitive middle-school and high-school rosters. His Jump Start Hoops curriculum focuses on the non-negotiables: footwork, triple-threat positioning, shooting mechanics, and the discipline to keep putting in reps when nobody's watching.

“Most kids never get taught the things that actually matter. They learn tricks. We teach the fundamentals that win games and build real team players at every level after this one.”