Coaches and Trainers

DeShawn Gibbons has over fifteen years of experience working with athletes in the basketball and fitness field. As the owner of Prove Them Wrong, he directs league and private training as well as basketball clinics throughout MetroWest Boston. He also serves as the head basketball trainer for Lifetime Fitness and is the former co-owner of Ihoopacademy.

Raised in Roxbury along with his five siblings by his loving grandmother, DeShawn overcame difficult circumstances to become a scholar /athlete at LIU Post, where he played collegiate basketball. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Electronic Media, he played professional basketball internationally, including several years in Spain with Reus. F. C and later in Australia with the Shepparton Gators, where he was renowned for his strength and agility as well as consistency as a double-digit rebounder. During his career in professional basketball, DeShawn gained the physical and mental skills which have propelled him throughout his successful career.

On the cutting edge of sports training, DeShawn believes in a holistic approach to the development of athletes. Working with children and teens, his mantra is not just to forge great athletes but also to build great people. “I want to show kids that you can be bigger than your circumstances in life. With the right mentors, mentality, and the ability to dream beyond your imagination, amazing things can happen.”

“Coach DeShawn is an exceptional mentor. His passion for basketball and dedication to his players are truly inspiring. He takes the time to understand each athlete’s strengths and areas for improvement, providing personalized guidance that helps them reach their full potential. My son has greatly benefited from Coach DeShawn’s mentorship, both on and off the court. We are grateful for his commitment to developing young athletes and highly recommend his program.”

“Coach DeShawn has been incredible for my son’s basketball development. His expertise, patience, and ability to connect with young athletes have significantly improved my son’s skills and confidence. Coach DeShawn’s emphasis on teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship has made a lasting impact. We are grateful for his dedication and highly recommend him to anyone seeking top-notch basketball training and mentorship.”

Coach Ethan is a 22 year old trainer coming out of North Providence, Rhode Island (RI) where he has lived the majority of his life. Basketball was not always in the cards for him as he would never describe himself as a natural talent. Ethan is the epitome of Proving Them Wrong displaying how hard work and hustle can take you to places that others could never imagine. This hard work and dedication carried him all the way to a State Championship his freshman year at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, RI – an all boys school with a highly esteemed basketball program. Post high school, he continued his education career at Emmanuel College in the heart of the city of Boston, the city where he was eventually introduced to DeShawn. He has always been fascinated by the game of basketball as he is consistently reading and watching material that will take his knowledge and ability to the next level as well as surrounding himself with like minded people. Ethan has experience playing, reffing and teaching the game at summer camps back at his old high school and is looking to continue his playing career on the professional level in the not so distant future. During a workout with Coach Ethan you will find yourself focusing on your weaknesses twice as much as your strengths as he feels as though becoming a well rounded player is the key to success in the game of basketball. One quote that he will often emphasize to his athletes is “repetition is the father of learning”. Ethan is excited to continue working at PTW and taking his athletes to the next level. Keep Proving them Wrong!

Kazembe Abif (Coach Kaz) joins PTW with over 20 years of basketball experience. Originally hailing from New Jersey, Coach Kaz was able to lead his high school team to back to back state championships. He then went on to accept a division one scholarship to Drexel University. For the last six years, Coach Kaz has been playing professional basketball throughout Europe including Germany, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Portugal. He looks to bring energy, competitiveness and knowledge to help players develop to their full potential at PTW.

Robert Hemmings is a seasoned basketball specialist who brings a wealth of experience, strategic prowess, and a deep understanding of the game to the coaching realm. From orchestrating victories on the court to refining the skills of aspiring players, his journey in basketball is characterized by a commitment to excellence, intricate strategies, and a profound love for the sport.

Sarah is a passionate and dedicated professional player with over 20+years of experience. She played point guard for the Egyptian national team as well as the youngest girl to be registered in the Egyptian basketball federation. Sarah is highly skilled in shooting accuracy, ball handling and defensive technique. She demonstrated exceptional leadership, teamwork and multiple scales of achievement on the national and international level. In addition, she is fluent in English, French and Arabic.

“Coach Sarah has been instrumental in improving my son’s footwork and dribbling skills. Her expertise and patient teaching style have made a significant impact on his performance. She breaks down complex techniques into manageable steps, ensuring that each player understands and can execute them effectively. His confidence and abilities have grown tremendously under her coaching. We highly appreciate Coach Sarah’s dedication and highly recommend her to anyone looking to enhance their basketball skills.”

Coach Greer brings a wealth of experience and expertise to PTW coaching staff. He is a former college basketball coach with 35 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level. The last 20 as the former head coach at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Coach Greer has a passion for coaching young athletes, helping them improve their individual basketball skills, mindset and competitive drive. He also enjoys coaching in a team setting and helping to foster the special bonds between teammates that make their experience both sustainable and enjoyable. His expertise is with guards training on things such as ballhandling, finishing at the rim, pick and roll, decision making, and how to read defenses. Through extensive training Coach Greer brings to the table the knowledge and skills needed to help PTW advance programming, fundraising and community engagement efforts.

He understands firsthand the rigorous recruiting process, what college and high school coaches are looking for when evaluating talent, and how to reach your utmost goals in basketball. Coaching basketball is his passion, but getting people to pursue their goals is his calling.

Paul Rose, a Roxbury native, joins PTW with an impressive basketball resume. Coach Paul is a member of the 1,000 point club, scoring this record at Fenway and at North Cambridge Catholic (NCC) high school. His work ethic and dedication to the game led him to a State Championship title with NCC. Coach Paul went on to play at Massachusetts Bay Community College, and later to play and graduate from UMass Dartmouth.