Vince Thomas Basketball Training (VTBT), LLC
Don’t Get Better. Be Your Best.
Basketball training in Glendale Heights, Illinois, for athletes ages 9–17 — generally starting around 4th grade.
Individual basketball development from a trainer who’s played, and dominated, at the highest level. Whether your child is chasing their first travel roster spot or a shot at playing in college, VTBT builds the skills, basketball IQ, and confidence to get them there — one player at a time.
Every player starts with a free evaluation, so training begins from what the player actually needs rather than a template.
Book a free evaluation · See training programs and pricing
Played It. Lived It. Now He Teaches It.
- 25+ college players
- 80%+ athletic scholarships
- $3M+ in scholarship value
Based on VTBT player and family survey data.
Two paths. One trainer.
Every player starts somewhere different. VTBT meets them where they are, with a development path built for their stage, their goals, and their readiness. Both start with an honest look at where a player is today.
Foundations — every great player starts here
Most players don’t fail because they lack talent. They fail because nobody caught a bad habit early enough to fix it. At the Foundations level, every session is built around the individual player, not a group drill everyone’s forced through at the same pace. Focus areas: ball handling and footwork, shooting mechanics, core basketball IQ, confidence and work habits. Explore Youth Development.
Level Up — ready for what’s next
Getting to the next level isn’t about luck or exposure. It’s about whether a player is actually ready when the moment comes. Vince can’t promise a roster spot, but he can make sure a player is ready to earn one. Focus areas: film review and game IQ breakdown, position-specific skill packages, live gameplay under real pressure, reading the game at the next level’s pace. Explore the Next Level Track.
How VTBT develops players
VTBT doesn’t believe every player should get the exact same training. Players develop progressively, and advancement is earned through demonstrated skill, understanding, effort, decision-making, and coachability — not simply by age.
The VTBT Method: Teach It. Rep It. Apply It. Compete With It.
- Assess — understand where the player is now, a real, honest look at their current game.
- Develop — work on the areas that matter most for that individual player.
- Apply — put that development into real basketball situations.
- Compete — test it under real pressure, at game speed, when it counts.
The progression: Beginner → Intermediate → Advanced → High-Level.
Areas of development: ball handling, shooting, finishing, footwork, defense, basketball IQ, decision-making, confidence, effort, coachability, competition.
Training programs
- Private 1-on-1 training — fully individualized sessions built around the player’s specific weaknesses and strengths.
- Small group skill development — groups of 2–10 players, matched by real skill level, combining individual work with competitive energy. Sessions run 60 minutes.
- Travel basketball skill development — for players preparing for AAU, EYBL and competitive circuits.
Pricing
All fees are collected through the Village of Glendale Heights Parks and Recreation Department and are shown as resident / non-resident. Non-resident rates include an additional $25 fee.
Skill Development Sessions
- 1 session — $90 / $100
- Limited Package, 8 sessions in 4 weeks — $306 / $331
- Unlimited Package, 12 sessions in 4 weeks — $390 / $415
- Flex Package, 10 sessions in 90 days — $504 / $529
Private Training
- 3 one-hour sessions — $354 / $379
- 5 one-hour sessions — $552 / $577
- 10 one-hour sessions — $1,056 / $1,081
All published resident and non-resident rates are listed on the Training page.
Real players, real journeys
VTBT alumni have gone on to law school, careers in engineering, professional boxing, sports broadcasting, law enforcement, and business ownership — proof that what’s built in the gym carries far beyond it.
- PJ Pipes — 7th grade to NCAA Division I to professional basketball in five countries.
- Derrick Holman Jr. — NAIA scholarship at William Penn, two conference championships.
- Ryan Bledsoe-Taylor — currently playing at Rockford University (NCAA DIII).
- Ahniya Melton — Waubonsie Valley All-State, Three Rivers College (NJCAA Final Four), full athletic scholarship to Oklahoma Christian University (NCAA DII).
Alumni have reached NBA Pro Summer League and NBA tryouts, college rosters, and professional clubs overseas. See all alumni stories.
What parents say
“This is high-level training and the kid needs to be dedicated to playing the game. It’s not a get-better type organization. It’s a compete-at-the-next-level organization, regardless of what that level is.”
“My son Luke has been working with Vince in small group training for 2 years. He has improved in his skill and confidence. Vince is a great teacher, but you can also tell how much he cares about his players.”
Read all testimonials.
Communities served
Families travel to VTBT from across DuPage County and the western Chicago suburbs. Every community page points to the same single training site at The Sports Hub, 250 Civic Centre Plaza, Glendale Heights, IL 60139.
About trainer Vince Thomas
Vince played the game at the highest level first — from Wheaton North to the University of Wisconsin-Superior to professional basketball overseas in Spain, Portugal, Croatia and Switzerland — before he ever trained anyone else to get there. He played eight professional seasons, was an NABC First Team NCAA Division III All-American and West Region Player of the Year, and is a UW-Superior Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. Read his full story and playing record.
Common questions
What ages does VTBT train?
Athletes ages 9–17, generally starting around 4th grade.
How many players are in a small group session?
2–10 players, matched by real skill level.
Where does training take place?
The Sports Hub, 250 Civic Centre Plaza, Glendale Heights, IL 60139.
How do I start?
Every player begins with a free evaluation. Book a free evaluation or call (773) 757-9942.
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