This is an incredibly thoughtful and intentional program with amazing coaches! Our daughter started in their summer camps and it quickly spurred on her love for basketball while also pushing her skills to another level. She now is involved in some of their regular programming and I'm continually impressed with everything they do. Highly recommend! read more

Honestly I went there as one of the older kids. I lowkey expected more people my age ('m in 8th) but it was mostly little kids in like 2nd grade. When I was at the 3 day clinic the coach with the beard told me to fix my form without even telling me how or even to show me how. It was advertised to me as a really good clinic, on the ads I saw a bunch of older kids working in their handles and it really looked like they learned something new. I felt more like babysitting and playing with the little kids more than actually doing drills, dude I literally did yoga (nothing wrong with yoga) with the little 1st to 3rd grade kids and the yoga lady treated me like one of them and crap talked to the little kids. I HONESTLY EXPECTED A T-SHIRT for what i paid but I'm not good enough ig. Paying 100 smth to play with little kids and do yoga was not on my end of year wishlist be so fr rn and i payed with my own BIRTHDAY money. Personally I would not recommend it for older kids (around 6th-8th grade) but if ur a little one go ahead. Again NOT WORTH WHAT I PAYED. read more

Empower ME Academy - this is what it looked like when i was there A BUNCH OF LITTLE KIDS i was there with my friend as u can see in the photo - Basketball Courts Near Me - San Francisco, California

Not as advertised. I wouldn't recommend this camp to anyone. My kids did not like going. Sad waste of money.

My very active 11 year old suffered back-to-back concussions that ended his travel soccer season. He was slow to improve from the brain injury and plateaued at a very challenging phase where he was bouncing off the walls, restricted from any sports contact for an indefinite period, and struggling with his mental health. My son had never played competitive basketball but we were at the end of our rope so I reached out to EMA with the request to accommodate his concussion protocol. The EMA coaches and staff were so empathetic and generous. They offered to work with him privately for several months, nurturing his physical and emotional return to competition. Because private coaching for an indefinite time period was out of our budget, they provided a very generous discount. It was everything my son needed. Fast forward 8 months -- my son is fully recovered, just made a a D2 level basketball team, and continues to train with EMA because it brings him so much skill and joy. It feels so good to see him literally get his game back. I have so much gratitude to this group for being there when my son was down, meeting him in his time of need, and lifting him back up even higher. read more

My daughter has joined EMA since last year. This is a fantastic basketball program with experienced coaching staff! She has improved her skills tremendously. Highly recommend giving your kids a try. read more

Wonderful program that not only teaches the fundamentals of basketball but also teaches kids how to develop as good, conscientious, hard working and emotionally mature little athletes. My son has gained a love for the game thanks to the great coaches at EMA. And his skill has increased 10 fold from various drills & exercises that focus on ball handling, muscle memory & good habits such as keeping your eyes up! I can't recommend this program enough. read more

Incredible energy! Coach Grumbs takes an active interest in the student athlete's basketball and life skills development.

Empower Me Academy is focused on the whole child and is so much more than just a basketball development program. Jerome Gumbs and his carefully chosen and trained staff are positive leaders and teachers of not only basketball but life lessons. My kids have been going to EMA for over 5 years now and it has been an important part of their child hood. While their basketball is high level and their games have improved tremendously , more importantly is that we know that when they are at EMA they are also being taught how to be good people and to work hard. This is as good a youth program as is available anywhere and cannot recommend this highly enough for not only basketball students but any parent who wants their child in an environment where they are being asked to work hard and be held accountable for conducting themselves the right way. read more

Coach Jerrome is an amazingly coach and mentor. He is concerned not only with kids improving their technical skills, but even more so, with developing personal attributes of determination, positive attitude, and leadership. My son has improved so much over the time he's been working with Coach Jerrome, in skills and confidence. I would whole heartedly recommend him to anyone. read more

Jerome Gumbs created the best of the best with EMA! His program and team develop student athletes from the inside out. It's Yoga Kids is thrilled to contribute to this well balanced and extraordinary organization. read more

My son is very passionate about basketball and started here at 7 years old as one of the youngest in the program. We appreciate the personalized attention at Empower Academy. It is a premium experience. While every coach we have had is fantastic, Coach Gumbs remains available to every player/family in the program to ensure they are getting what they need. They have great coaches that meet each player where they are to develop their basketball skills and to develop them as leaders and good citizens. We like the focus on development vs. constantly traveling around for league play and see our son being involved year round for years to come. read more

Professional, and experienced! Highly recommend this camp if your looking for the best in San Francisco. read more

It's hard to express how much this team of caring and dedicated coaches has helped my daughter find her confidence and hone some serious foundational basketball skills. My daughter is 9-years-old so finding quality basketball programs that focus on character building just as much as skill building is hard to find. Empower Me is run by a passionate team who value the experience a kid has with them - taking time to check in mentally during rigorous practices. My daughter loves going and doesn't mind being pushed to her limit because the coaching is very mindful. If you want to support your kids love of basketball while teaching them to be upstanding humans this is the place. I've never seen a sports program like this - a combination of commitment to the child and intense coaching. Many kids who take part in the program are older and excellent local athletes which is inspiring for the younger ones to see. read more

You will not find a sports program of equal caliber as EmpowerME Academy. Coach Gumbs has created a one-of-a-kind, focused, intense and unparalleled basketball experience for athletes and their families. My children have benefitted immensely from his program - both as athletes and more importantly as people in the world. His focus on character building, in addition to developing top notch basketball players, is what is missing from a lot of youth athletic programs. He has high expectations of the athletes - regardless of skill level. If you are looking for an amazing basketball experience for your child, you have come to the right place. read more

Thank you EMPOWER ME TRAINING. After one month my child is able to dribble, pass, and shoot (and they taught him to jump stop at age 5). Attending the academy has given him more confidence around others and willingness to try new things. Shout out to coach Andrew for your patience and ability to work with children of all ages and skill levels. We love practicing the drills we learned from you at home. read more

THIS PLACE IS A SCAM-do not invest time or money here. The phone number they provided me via email goes to a wrong number. I want my money back! read more

This is the best basketball program in the city! It provides much better skills development and training than an AAU program, all without the travel and inconvenience. EmpowerMe Academy is structured extremely well. The children learn all of the subtile nuances of the game and how to improve theirs in every way. The passionate coaching helps the kids learn to be positive, resilient and motivated. Coach Gumbs teaches life skills through the game of basketball. He teaches the players to always look at the good that comes from a momentary failure. The level of coaching at EmpowerMe is closer to pro ball. It is the best program in the city. read more

I have 3 boys who have been attending the Empower Me Academy workouts and clinics for the past 3 years or so. Coach Jerome and his excellent staff are great motivators and are able to bring out the best in their students. The program has been amazing as far as helping my kids develop great basketball skills, but it also has taught them about leadership, teamwork, physical fitness and self-confidence. EMA has been a HUGE part of my kids personal and athletic development. They are stronger players both mentally and physically because of EMA. Coach Jerome also teaches students about respect. EMA trained players are very respectful of the game, coaches, teammates, opponents, officials and themselves. This is a top-notch athletic training program. I highly recommend it! read more

This is an amazing one of a kind program. It provides fantastic detail- oriented training that covers all the areas of skill development. The program offers a wide range of classes from skill development to free play where they scrimmage with the coaches. My sons have become even more passionate about basketball as a result. Coach Gumbs has taught my sons the value of discipline, hard work and team spirit. As a result of Empower Me they are always seeking to improve their game, their sportsmanship and their attitude in everything that they do. We love Coach Gumbs and his Coaches who always give their all to every player. Once you are a student of Coach Gumbs you can be sure he will do everything in his power to make you stronger, more skilled and more fiercely focused in everything you do. The years are passing quickly and my sons are growing up and will leave home relatively soon. When they do Empower Me will always be remembered as an integral part of their childhood, as a place where they went to become true athletes, to learn how to face challenges, and to be the best citizens they can be. read more