Mano Watsa
PGC BASKETBALL DIRECTOR
It’s actually very hard to know where to start – so I will keep it simple. I have attended hundreds of hours of leadership training over the years. In my view, what I experienced was among the best leadership/life training I have been exposed to.
– Leagh Turner, Former Global COO, SAP
I know you hear this all the time — but the culture of PGC is so incredibly unique. It is defining. It is life-giving. Your organization enhances the very being of those who are part of it, and those who interact with it — and that is inspiring.
– Nate Sanderson, Co-host of the Coaching Culture Podcast
Mano, what you have taught me has completely 100% transformed my game. I am now much more confident and I play with a lot more intensity. I pulled out my notes today and went over everything that I learned from you. I just wanted to say thank you for your input in my life and in my game.
– Dean Beard, Wall, Texas
What you taught me this week is priceless. You have taught me so much, as a coach and as a person. The athletes gained so much trust in you because you are powerful, but in a way I have never seen in my life. You have changed me as a player and as a person.
– Brad Daitch, Frederick, Maryland
Mano is the visionary leader of PGC Basketball, which has become the largest education basketball camp in the world with over 150 camps in 30+ US states and Canada.
Mano is a highly sought-after speaker who has inspired over 250,000 students, coaches, and business leaders around the world, including across the US, Canada, Mexico, India, Jamaica, Hong Kong, and Israel. Mano is also a high performance coach for top professionals, including business leaders and NBA players.
Mano’s energy is boundless and uplifting. His focus on what’s important to know is laser-like and his teaching is from his heart because of his great passion. I can never get enough of the valuable “nuggets” of knowledge that I learn.
– Dan Slain, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
HOW IT ALL BEGAN...
Mano began his journey as a camp director at an early age, starting his first basketball camp in his parents’ backyard at the age of 15. By the time he finished high school, over 150 kids were attending his backyard camps each summer. By his last year in university, nearly 400 kids were attending the camps.
Upon graduation, Mano started his highly-acclaimed high school assembly presentation, “Power To Choose.” Mano used his Harlem Globetrotter-type presentation as a platform to inspire over 250,000 students across North America.
Since 2007, when Mano took on leadership of PGC, the camps have grown from 1,000 players each summer to 12,000 players and 2,000 coaches annually. Over the past decade, 85,000 players and 15,000 coaches have been impacted by PGC.
Mano lives in Waterloo, Ontario with his wife and three teenage kids. He can be reached at [email protected].
HIS STORY...
Mano was the first Canadian athlete to ever attend Point Guard College.
An example of the impact PGC Founder Dick DeVenzio had on so many players, Mano returned from his PGC experience and his game as an undersized point guard transformed.
Mano attended the University of Waterloo, where he was a 4-time OUA Conference All-Star, 2-time All-Canadian, and Academic All-Canadian.
In 1999, Mano was named the University of Waterloo Athlete of the Year, the National TSN Award recipient for combining excellence in athletics, academics, and community involvement, and was inducted into the University of Waterloo Athletics Hall of Fame.
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What They’re Saying About Mano Watsa
"This camp taught me how to be a great leader, basketball player and energy giver to my teammates. I am going to be a different person (in a good way) when I walk out the door each day, both in basketball and as a person."
- Jam Schallenberger
"I really enjoyed this camp a lot. It helped me become a better player and leader. Everything you taught us was really useful. The coaches were so supportive and helpful and now my dream to play D1 college basketball seems possible."
- Brighton Stolzenberg
"This week has meant so much to me, it's been a blast. It has honestly changed my life on and off the court and it changed my perspective. I also learned 'deadly sins to avoid', like being creepy and wishful thinking. Another thing I learned is we can change our beliefs. What I'm trying to say is this was the best week ever."
- Blakelee Sherwood
"Point Guard Prep has taught me a lot about not just moves, but about how even if you don't play you can still impact the game by being a good teammate and an energy-giver. I also learned to put others first, build others up, and do hard things by pushing your limits and stretching yourself."
- Stratton Hallows
"This week has been a blast and totally changed the way I play basketball! I enjoyed learning the stride stop, arrums, and other moves that I am excited to use in games. The classroom sessions also changed the way I look at everything in my life."
- Jaxson Wood
"After Point Guard Prep, I feel differently about basketball. I used to only like basketball but now I LOVE basketball. I feel like I’m one thousand times better. All of the coaches made the experience amazing!"
- Haigen Harrison
"What makes the PGC camp fun is that everything is made into a game or competition. I definitely learned a lot (push & pull, peek fakes, twist passes, etc.). I also really like the classroom because we get a break and I feel like it helped us learn more."
- Lou Cheeseman
