NFL
By: Melo Williams
Name: Parker “Skipp” Sigmon
HS/College Grad: Middleton HS, WI
Alabama A&M (HBCU)
Occupation: Basketball Skills and Development Trainer
Skipp is a former HS and collegiate basketball player from Middleton, WI who attended and graduated from Alabama A&M an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).
After graduating from Alabama A&M, Skipp became a certified basketball skills and development trainer and then began his career as a basketball trainer with I’m Possible Training in Madison, WI.
Take a timeout and join us on the Press Conference and find out more about Skipp, life, basketball, and the advice he has for aspiring college and professional basketball players and basketball skills and development trainers.
1. MW: Who or what introduced you to the sport of basketball?
Skipp: I grew up playing basketball outside with my older brother Preston and my neighbors Alex and Matt. They really helped establish that love for the game that I still have to this day.
2. MW: Where did you play that helped you develop as a basketball player before HS?
Skipp: I had great youth coaches in Middleton who were former college players, as well as coach Vern from NESYB who invested a lot of time teaching me the game. They really helped me a lot with my basketball IQ.
3. MW: Where did you play high school basketball and what’s your greatest HS basketball memory?
Skipp: I played high school ball at Middleton HS in Wisconsin.
My best memory was honestly our morning pick-up games in the pre-season. We had a once-in-a-lifetime type of team.
Two of the players in my class went pro and others of us played in college. Even the players who decided to go to school for other things had high-level offers.
We had some of the most competitive pick-up games and workouts. We really pushed each other to be great and held each other accountable.
4. MW: You attended and graduated from Alabama A&M, an HBCU, salute to you for that, what was the motivation to attend an HBCU?
Skipp: I grew up always with a diverse circle. In high school, I was a member of the Black Student Union for four years.
When it came time to choose a college, an HBCU was just the right fit for me.
Understanding my intention to be a part of the community rather than trying to take from the community really solidified my place there and I loved my experience.
5. MW: What’s the focus of I’m Possible Training?
I’m Possible Training has been a worldwide brand now for years. The focus is on finding player’s weaknesses and training very specific skills and abilities. The methods we use have been trusted by 100+ NBA players.
6. MW: What does TTF stand for and what’s the inspiration behind it?
Skipp: TTF stands for The Transcendent Few. The word transcendent means in short: to be above.
In my life, I’ve battled through losing family and friends, PTSD, and severe depression. Through all of the circumstances, I’m not supposed to be here. Especially not with a smile on my face, but here I am standing tall.
I use that as my motivation in everything I do. I want to inspire everyone that I can and let them know that no matter how dark it gets, no matter how much you think you can’t make it out, you can still rise above and do so with integrity.
7. MW: What is the TTF Takeover about with Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball players Max Klesmit and Isaac Lindsey and how did the idea come about?
Skipp: This event is a camp to help players see how valuable I’m Possible training could be to their game. It is also a cool way we can give back and give players a chance to share the court with some Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball players.
The idea came about after 2-3 months of consistently working with Max (Klesmit), Isaac (Lindsey), and later joined by Luke Heartle. We have developed a great relationship on the court and made a lot of improvements together so it made sense for us to collaborate on an event like this. All of us have a strong passion for the game and also for giving back to the next generation.
8. MW: Who or what inspired you to be a basketball skills and development trainer and what’s your number one personal goal of being a basketball trainer?
Skipp: I was inspired to be a trainer because of my love for helping others. I’m the type of person who gets joy out of seeing people win. I’ve always naturally had an eye for the game, but after being trained and certified by Micah Lancaster (creator of I’m Possible) my passion for helping others and expertise in skill development clicked.
My number one goal is to grow my platform as a trainer to inspire people. God has blessed me to still be here after everything I’ve been through and I want to have an impact from the NBA to kids who are first picking up a ball.
9. MW: What’s the greatest joy you get about being a basketball trainer?
Skipp: My greatest joy is seeing the smile on a player’s face after they get a skill they had to work really hard for. Or when they come in and tell me about something we worked on clicking out on the court. I can’t put into words how much those little moments mean to me.
10. MW: What advice would you give young players who may want to play college and professional basketball?
Skipp: The main advice I would give is to be kind to yourself and be consistent. The youth sports world has become so harsh and often crushes kids’ love for the game. You’ve gotta find a way to give yourself room to make mistakes and improve.
Then as far as being consistent it’s better to work for 30 minutes a day all year than 10 hours a day for a week. Little deposits every day lead to growth that carries over.
11. MW: What advice would you give aspiring basketball skills and development trainers?
Skipp: First, be on time. You can’t expect people to treat you as a professional if you aren’t being one.
The second is to know your stuff. Learning is a lifelong journey. It doesn’t matter what level you played at, teaching the game takes a different skill set, so keep on learning and growing.
Lastly, be a servant of the game, being a trainer is about helping people reach their goals, and being willing to work with players at all levels, not just the “good players”.
12. MW: Who is your NBA Mt. Rushmore?
Skipp: My NBA Mt. Rushmore has to be Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant. So many players are deserving but those players to me are some of the greatest to ever touch the rock.
13. MW: Favorite NBA player of all time and who is the best player in the NBA right now?
Skipp: My favorite NBA player of all time is Allen Iverson and Damian Lillard.
The best player right now to me is Giannis Antetokounmpo. Obviously, as a Wisconsin kid, you could say I’m biased but I think so many people rule out defense. The impact Giannis has on both sides of the ball is hard to match.
Much Respect to Skipp for the dope work in the community using basketball as the vehicle to give back providing young boys and girls with hope and inspiration along with elite basketball skills training and of course for taking a timeout from training and joining me on the #PressConference.
Box Score:
There are two sessions at the TTF Takeover:
2nd – 5th Grade
6th grade and up
Cost $65
TTF Takeover Basketball Camp
Saturday, December 30th 2023
IPT Wisconsin
Details/Registration: https://iptwisconsin.com/product/ttf-crossover-camp/
Follow Melo on X/Instagram: @_MeloWilliams
