Too small
Too skilled to stop
Lightning handles and footwork that let undersized players own any court through skill, not size.
Elite basketball training · Gilbert, AZ
Built by design. Not by chance.
Footwork, handles and the mental toughness to use them. Coach Joshua Mercado turns overlooked, undersized players into confident playmakers who dominate with skill, not size.
400+Athletes trained
30+College and pro players
10+Years coaching
Footwork
Handles
Confidence
Find a way
Train. Build. Dominate.
Who this is for
From overlooked to unstoppable
Every player arrives with a label someone else gave them. We train the skill that makes the label stop mattering.
Rattled under pressure
Unshakeable confidence
The mental toughness that separates good players from great ones, built rep by rep in game situations.
Stuck on the bench
On the college track
Join 30+ athletes who have reached college and professional levels through a proven development system.
The Prime belief
Size is never the ceiling. Skill, mindset and relentless work are.
Coach Joshua Mercado
10+Years coaching
400+Athletes trained
Meet the founder
Joshua Mercado
Founder and Head Trainer
Size is never the ceiling. Skill, mindset and relentless work are.
Josh knows what it means to be doubted for his size. Instead of accepting the ceiling, he obsessed over the details of the game: footwork, handles, spacing and decision-making. That obsession became a system.
Today he blends elite skill work with the mental toughness players need under pressure. From high school hopefuls to college and pro athletes, every player leaves with a plan.
Training that goes beyond the court
Why families choose Prime
Small groups, big results
Four to eight athletes a session, so every player gets real, personal attention and faster growth.
Coach in your pocket
Custom drills and feedback through our training app, so the work continues between sessions.
Proven track record
From high school tryouts to college scholarships, our athletes reach the next level with results you can measure.
Mental toughness
Confidence and resilience are trained on purpose. At the highest levels, the game is mostly mental.
Game-situation reps
Competitive scenarios that mirror real game speed, so decisions hold up when it counts.
College prep and exposure
Guidance and connections for athletes chasing college and professional basketball.
Inside a session
Every rep has a reason
01 / 06
Families
What parents are saying
Programs
Training built around the player
Pick the format that fits your goals and schedule. The free evaluation tells us exactly where to start.
Most popular
Group training
Small, level-based groups that keep the energy high and the attention personal.
- 4 to 8 athletes per session
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
- Competitive, game-like reps
1-on-1
Private training
Coaching built entirely around one athlete. The fastest way to fix weaknesses and sharpen strengths.
- Dedicated 1-on-1 coaching
- Custom development plan
- Flexible scheduling
Train anywhere
Online training
Remote programming and film feedback through the training app, from anywhere in the country.
- Custom drills in the app
- Video feedback from Josh
- 24/7 coach access
Simple process
Three steps to your first rep
1
Book a free session
Pick your level and a time that works. Your athlete trains, meets the coaches and sees how we work.
2
Attend the session
We watch their skills, mindset and goals while making sure they feel supported and challenged.
3
Join the program
If it is a fit, choose the plan that works for your family and start the journey with us.
Find us
One court. Every rep drawn up.
Every session runs at our Gilbert gym, minutes from Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek and the rest of the East Valley.
The court3437 S 159th St
Gilbert, Arizona 85297
Call or text(623) 294-9893
Gilbert, Arizona 85297
Prime By Design33.2880 N · 111.7401 W
Questions
Before your first session
What happens at the free evaluation?
Your athlete joins a live training session so we can see their skills, mindset and goals firsthand. It is a no-pressure way to experience how we coach and find the right program together. There is no cost and no obligation.
How old does my athlete need to be?
We train all ages, from youth players just starting out to high school, college and pro-track athletes. At the evaluation we place your athlete in the group and level that fits them best.
Do you train girls and boys?
Yes. We coach both, and the schedule has dedicated girls-only sessions for athletes and families who prefer them.
How big are the groups?
Usually 4 to 8 athletes, organized by level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) so every player is challenged and gets personal attention.
Free · No obligation
Their prime starts with one session
See the system firsthand and find out exactly where your athlete stands.