Young athletes in Pahrump will soon have expanded opportunities to develop their skills, improve their athleticism and build confidence, as Pahrump Valley Heat Basketball Academy prepares to launch its inaugural training sessions on Aug. 9, joining the already established Pahrump Valley Junior Athletics (PVJA) program.
Led by former Pahrump Valley High School boys basketball coach David Wilson, the programs are designed to provide year-round athletic development for elementary and middle school students, combining sport-specific instruction with foundational training that benefits athletes across multiple sports.
Wilson said his vision extends beyond teaching basketball or improving speed and strength. His goal is to help young athletes become more complete competitors by developing the physical skills, decision-making abilities and confidence they can carry with them both on and off the court.
The Pahrump Valley Heat Basketball Academy will focus on basketball fundamentals while introducing players to concepts that often separate good athletes from great ones, including basketball IQ, decision-making, leadership and teamwork.
According to the academy’s mission, athletes will learn through purposeful coaching, skill development, film study and competitive play designed to prepare them for higher levels of basketball.
Training topics include ball handling, shooting, passing, footwork, finishing, defense, basketball IQ, decision-making, team concepts and competitive game situations. The academy’s philosophy is centered around three guiding principles: Train Hard. Play Smart. Compete Together.
Sessions will be held in the Pahrump Valley High School Auxiliary Gym with separate instruction for elementary and middle school athletes.
The weekly basketball academy schedule includes:
- Sundays
- Kindergarten through fifth grade: 4 to 5 p.m.
- Middle school: 5 to 6 p.m.
- Tuesdays
- Kindergarten through fifth grade: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Middle school: 6:45 to 8 p.m.
- Thursdays
- Kindergarten through fifth grade: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- Middle school: 6:45 to 8 p.m.
In addition to the academy practices, Wilson will also offer small group development sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays. Those workouts will focus on advanced ball handling, basketball conditioning, film study and individualized skill development in a smaller instructional setting.
The program also has plans to establish Pahrump Valley Heat travel basketball teams at the 8U, 11U and 14U levels, providing local athletes an opportunity to compete against teams from outside the community while proudly representing Pahrump.
Pahrump Valley Junior Athletics (PVJA) has been helping young athletes build athletic foundations since January 2026, and the program will continue its year-round training alongside the launch of Pahrump Valley Heat Basketball Academy. While the basketball academy focuses on sport-specific development, PVJA is dedicated to improving athletic ability that translates across virtually every sport.
Rather than concentrating on one game, PVJA emphasizes the physical qualities every athlete needs to succeed, including speed, agility, acceleration, change of direction, strength and endurance.
The program serves students in first through eighth grades, with age-appropriate instruction designed to build a strong athletic foundation.
For younger participants in grades one through five, sessions emphasize movement mechanics, coordination, speed and agility through high-energy activities that make learning athletic skills enjoyable while building confidence.
Middle school athletes will participate in strength training designed to improve overall athletic performance while preparing them for the physical demands of school sports.
PVJA’s weekly schedule includes:
Saturdays
- Kindergarten through fifth grade speed and agility: Noon to 1 p.m.
- Middle school strength training: 1 to 2 p.m.
Sundays
- Kindergarten through fifth grade speed and agility: 7 to 8 a.m.
- Middle school strength training: 8 to 9 a.m.
While PVJA has been serving local athletes since January, both programs will begin their fall training sessions on Aug. 9, giving families an opportunity to establish consistent routines before the school sports calendar gets fully underway. Athletes may participate in one program or both, depending on their interests and developmental goals.
Wilson brings an extensive playing and coaching background to the programs.
Originally from Grand Island, Nebraska, he starred at Heartland Lutheran High School, helping lead the team to a 31-10 record and the school’s first appearance in the Nebraska State Tournament. During his high school career, he established school records for most points scored in a season and most three-pointers made in a season.
Following high school, Wilson trained for two years with the renowned Pro Shot Shooting System, learning advanced shooting techniques while developing methods for teaching athletes of all ages and ability levels.
His training included work with elite collegiate programs, including Ohio University men’s and women’s basketball, Florida Atlantic University men’s basketball and the University of Rhode Island women’s basketball. He also trained alongside NBA champion and All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and learned from Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley, experiences that helped shape his coaching philosophy.
Wilson continued his collegiate playing career at Southeast Community College, where he became a junior college regional champion before spending a season at Bakersfield College in California. He later completed his collegiate career at Doane University while earning a bachelor’s degree in fitness management.
Locally, Wilson served as the head boys basketball coach at Pahrump Valley High School for three seasons, where he emphasized player development, accountability, discipline and team culture while helping student-athletes improve both on and off the court.
Those experiences now form the foundation of both Pahrump Valley Heat Basketball Academy and Pahrump Valley Junior Athletics, which aim to provide young athletes with structured instruction, consistent coaching and opportunities to grow throughout the year.
Families interested in learning more or registering for the basketball academy can email pvheatbasketball@gmail.com, while registration for Pahrump Valley Junior Athletics is available by contacting pvjuniorathletics@gmail.com.
Although the two programs emphasize different aspects of athletic development, they share the same overall mission: helping Pahrump’s young athletes become stronger, more confident competitors. By pairing sport-specific basketball instruction with comprehensive athletic development, Wilson hopes to provide local families with opportunities that help athletes succeed not only in their current seasons, but throughout their athletic careers.
