Led by Coaches Who've Been There
Great development starts with great coaching. DBA's coaching staff brings together playing experience, basketball knowledge, and a genuine commitment to developing players.
Our coaches understand what it takes to compete, improve, and advance in the game because they've experienced the journey themselves. They don't just teach skills — they challenge players, build confidence, reinforce accountability, and help athletes better understand the game.
Experienced coaches. Purposeful development. A commitment to every player.
Sean Dockery
Co-Founder | Director of Player Development | Coach & Trainer
Sean Dockery brings a lifetime of basketball experience to Dockery Basketball Academy — from competing at the highest levels of college and professional basketball to coaching and developing players within NBA organizations.
A Chicago native and 2002 McDonald's All-American, Sean played point guard at Duke University from 2002–2006, where he competed under legendary Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski. After Duke, Sean continued his playing career professionally in the United States and Europe, including winning a German League Championship with Brose Basketball.
Following his playing career, Sean transitioned into coaching and player development at the professional level. He served with the San Antonio Spurs as a Player Development Coach and Video Coordinator and later joined the Memphis Grizzlies as a Player Development Coach, while also serving as an assistant coach with the organization's G League team.
Those experiences helped shape the philosophy behind Dockery Basketball Academy: give players access to the knowledge, preparation, accountability, and purposeful development needed to reach their potential.
Today, Sean brings that experience to athletes at every level — from young players learning the game to high school, college, and professional athletes preparing for what's next.
Career Highlights
- 2002 McDonald's High School All-American
- Chicago high school standout in assists, steals, and scoring
- Duke University Point Guard | 2002–2006
- Professional player in the United States and Europe
- German League Champion | Brose Basketball
- Founder | Dockery Basketball University — Chicago
- San Antonio Spurs | Player Development Coach & Video Coordinator
- Memphis Grizzlies | Player Development Coach
- NBA G League | Assistant Coach
Dean Sturm
Coach | Program Director | Trainer
Dean Sturm brings extensive experience in coaching, player development, and competitive basketball to Dockery Basketball Academy.
Dean began his coaching career while still in high school, leading a girls spring league team near Corpus Christi, Texas. His passion for coaching quickly grew, and he went on to help develop the South Texas Falcons, a competitive AAU program that competed throughout Texas and on the Adidas circuit. During his time with the program, Dean helped develop numerous athletes who went on to play college basketball, including players who received Division I offers.
His coaching career has continued at the high school level. Dean served as the Girls JV Head Coach and Varsity Assistant Coach at O'Connor High School and currently serves as an Assistant Varsity Coach for the Medina Valley High School boys basketball program.
Dean has also spent years working alongside and learning from DBA Co-Founder Sean Dockery. Through that experience, he has expanded his knowledge of player development and had the opportunity to work with athletes ranging from youth players to college and professional athletes.
A graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology, Dean combines an understanding of athletic performance with years of hands-on coaching and basketball development.
At DBA, Dean serves as Coach and Program Director, playing an important role in both player development and the competitive experiences that help prepare our athletes for the next level.
Career Highlights
- Medina Valley High School | Boys Assistant Varsity Coach
- O'Connor High School | Girls JV Head Coach & Varsity Assistant Coach
- 2017 Adidas Gauntlet Finale Champion
- Helped 22 players advance to college basketball
- Extensive AAU coaching experience on the Adidas circuit
- Experience training athletes from youth through the professional level
- B.S. in Exercise Physiology | UTSA
- Years of player development experience alongside Sean Dockery
LaMarr Drake
Coach & Trainer
Player. Coach. Mentor.
A Chicago native and former collegiate point guard, LaMarr Drake brings the perspective of a player, coach, and mentor to DBA. His approach to player development is grounded in fundamentals, basketball IQ, discipline, leadership, accountability, and building genuine relationships with the athletes he coaches.
Having played point guard throughout his basketball career, LaMarr understands the importance of communication, court awareness, decision-making, and learning how to make the players around you better. He carries those lessons into his coaching today, helping athletes develop not only their basketball skills, but also the confidence, discipline, and character needed to succeed beyond the game.
LaMarr currently serves as an Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach at TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas, where he contributes to player development, team preparation, fundamentals, and game strategy. He previously served as both JV Head Coach and Middle School Head Coach at TMI, giving him experience developing players across multiple ages and stages of competition.
At DBA, LaMarr works with athletes in individual and group training environments, emphasizing purposeful skill development, basketball IQ, confidence, and preparation.
Coaching Philosophy
For LaMarr, coaching goes beyond basketball skills, practices, and games. He believes players develop best when they know their coaches are genuinely invested in them. His goal is to provide consistent leadership, accountability, and mentorship while helping athletes become better players and better people.
Developing Players. Building Leaders. Respecting the Game.
Career Highlights
- Chicago, Illinois Native
- Point Guard — Carver Military High School
- Mott Community College — Two-Year Collegiate Career
- Back-to-Back NJCAA National Champion
- Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi — Bachelor of Arts
- TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas — Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach
- Former TMI JV Head Basketball Coach
- Former TMI Middle School Head Basketball Coach
- DBA Coach & Trainer — Player & Skill Development
Tom Abel
Co-Founder | Business & Operations
Tom Abel is Co-Founder of Dockery Basketball Academy and leads the business, operations, and strategic development of DBA.
Having coached and been involved with the program from its beginning, Tom shares the same belief that led to the creation of DBA: basketball can provide young athletes with opportunities, lessons, relationships, and experiences that extend far beyond the court.
Today, he works primarily behind the scenes, overseeing business operations, strategy, marketing, technology, partnerships, and the continued growth of the academy — helping create the infrastructure that allows DBA's coaches and players to succeed.
His role reflects an important part of the DBA philosophy: building something meaningful requires the same commitment, resilience, and willingness to learn that we ask of our athletes.
Ready to Train with DBA?
Our coaches are ready to help you develop your game, build your confidence, and prepare for what's next.