Man of A million drills

CEBU, Philippines —  Because of his level of detail and ingenuity in one-on-one training, American professional basketball player Reggie Hearn coined a unique term for the US-based Cebuano skills trainer and coach Jeff Codera.

Hearn, who was part of Team USA that won gold medal in the FIBA AmeriCup two years ago and played briefly with the Detroit Pistons in the NBA last season, knows Codera well.

At one point in his career, they trained together in a makeshift facility at Codera’s home in California.

One particular thing caught his attention, Codera always presents him with a new drill each time they train.

Hearn is so impressed with the inventiveness of Codera that he called him “the man with a million drills”.

Now, Codera, a member of the NBA Golden State Warriors’ training camp, is bringing his act to his fellow countrymen, helping shape the talent of rising stars and recalibrate the skills of established pro cagers with his acumen in one-on-one training.

And he is doing this for a reason.

“To all players, please understand that basketball around the world is evolving.

Nowadays, a center position can dribble and shoot threes,” said Codera, a licensed ‘Gold’ coach of USA Basketball and a member of its Youth Development Program. “Train your skills no matter how tiring it is because that is your investment in game.”

For all his efforts, Codera is deeply appreciated by those who went through his training par excellence.

“Coach Jeff was able to make me a more efficient player in my separation and dribbling. Those were the weakest points of my game.” He used those weaknesses and turned them into weapons. He unlocked those potentials for me to become a much more well-rounded player,”said Paul Zamar of the San Miguel Beermen.

“Yung experience ko sa training namin ni coach Jeff, kahit 16 years na ako sa PBA, ang dami parin pwede i-improve. Kaya napaka-blessed ng mga younger guys na mabigyan sila ng magandang foundation ni coach Jeff,” shared Peter June Simon, a PBA veteran who now plays for the Magnolia Hotshots.

Allyn Bulanadi, one of the brightest collegiate stars of the country today playing for the San Sebastian Stags in the NCAA, also has some kind words for coach Jeff.

“Sa training namin ni coach Jeff, more on basic yung tinuro sa akin. Mas naka-focus siya sa weakness ng isang player. Ang laki nang pinagbago ko nung nakaraang taon. Yung mga binigay nya na drills during pratice ma-apply mo talaga sa game. Kumbaga game situation na drills,” said Bulanadi.

“Detalye kung detalye nya tinuturo sa akin. Si coach, di siya nag gi-give up hangga’t hindi niya nakikita ang player na nag-improve.”

The other thing of beauty is that Codera is not only a coach but also a brother and friend to those who come his way.

“Si coach Jeff maayong tao. Di lang siya maayo na coach, maayo sad siya na amigo ug igsoon. Gitambagan ko niya og unsay angay nakong buhaton in the future,” said Rey Anthony Suerte, a two-time MVP who helped the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers win a rare grandslam feat in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI).

“Very professional kaayo ug kanang mag-training session nami, every single detail sa mga drills gina-emphasize gyud niya. Step by step siya mo-train, sayon pero very effective,” added Suerte, who is currently in a one-and-done deal with the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors in the UAAP.

“Si coach Jeff sobrang bait at saka sobrang sipag ug matyaga. Ngayon lang ako nakakita na coach na kami pa yung pinupuntahan. Blessed kami dahil meron kaming kaibigan na pag-tyatyagaan kami. Kung ano yung weakness namin, tinutulongan niya kami para ma-improve,” said Jio Jalalon, a three-time PBA All-Star.

Aside from being a good motivator and confidence-booster, Codera is also admired for his exemplary worth ethic.

“He is a trainor that is always compassionate about his work. He arrives everyday at the court at 6:30 a.m. to train players before our team practice, which is at 8 a.m. Then he trains players again after our team practice,” said Koko Tuadles, the former star guard of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles who is now with the Centro Escolar University (CEU) Scorpions.

“He doesn’t force players to practice with him. He wants that he’ll train the players that are willing to improve and work with him. He always has that one goal in mind. That is to improve your weaknesses as a player. He is always eager to help us. Gives us motivation before and after practices or in games. I’ve trained with him several times and you could really see that your confidence boosts up during games. He is a big factor why CEU became a strong and competitive team before and even now,” added Tuadles.

More than the ABCs of basketball, Codera also teaches lessons that are beyond the bounds of the hardcourt.

“His training style is unique. He’s applying all that he learned from the States to us. He gives us his everything to us in every session. I’ve learned a lot from him, not only in basketball but also outside of basketball,” said Patrick Yu, a two-time CESAFI champion with the SHS-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles who is now making a name for himself in the UAAP with the National University (NU) Bulldogs.

Out of the praises he relished with pride in his heart, Codera has one reminder to all players. “Your skills, passion, dedication, work ethic and love of the game, that’s what separates you from the others. Always be reminded of that.”