Paul Peterson.
Take a moment and imagine the qualities of your dream skills trainer. If the qualities that emerge are high energy, extreme positivity, passion, basketball knowledge, a megawatt smile, and player development on and off the court, then you should picture Paul Peterson.
Many don't know that Paul has been trusted by many of Utah’s top coaches to develop the basketball skills of their young athletes. Those coaches and players will tell you they not only improved their game on the court but also gained an important ally off the court — a man and mentor always in their corner.
In 2020, Paul entered his first year as the head coach of top 10 nationally-ranked Wasatch Academy after serving as the top assistant for the previous two seasons. Paul is widely considered one of the best basketball skill developers in the country, in addition to his talents being maximized even more within the Wasatch Academy basketball program.
Paul was a four-year starter at BYU-Hawaii and played professionally overseas in Germany, England, and Serbia. Those experiences fostered the basketball player in Paul on the court but also the coach within. He now turns the sharp basketball mind he developed from his impressive array of coaches and mentors to produce outstanding players worldwide.
After playing overseas, Paul moved to Utah and began developing the skills of up-and-coming players. Countless players have also improved their game under Paul’s tutelage, notably former Lone Peak Knight, Duke Blue Devil, and current New Orleans Pelican, Frank Jackson.
Paul believes that his role is as much about relationship development as it is player development. While wins are the immediate metric of success for the program, Paul understands the greatest measurement will be in his relationships with his players. His ability to connect with his students is unique — at every skill level both on and off the court. While also primed for top performance, everyone feels loved and appreciated like a brother.
Paul brings exactly what is needed for his players — because he will know and communicate to them in a way that will bring out their best.