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Alabama Basketball Institute Services

Basketball Development Camps

2nd Semester: Summer Team Introduction (City League)

1st Semester: Individual Small Group Training

ABI is built on a long-term development model that begins early and progresses with purpose. Our camps are specifically designed for players in 3rd through 6th grade, focusing on foundational skill development, confidence building, and basketball IQ. Every drill, teaching point, and competitive moment is intentional to prepare each athlete not just for the next season, but for the critical milestone of 7th grade basketball, where school team opportunities begin to shape a player’s future. 

1st Semester: Individual Small Group Training

2nd Semester: Summer Team Introduction (City League)

1st Semester: Individual Small Group Training

During the fall, ABI shifts into a focused training phase centered on individual skill development and game understanding. Players refine ball handling, shooting, footwork, and decision-making while also learning how to operate within two-player and three-player actions such as pick-and-rolls, spacing, cutting, and movement without the ball. This phase bridges the gap between skill work and real game application, helping players think the game, not just play it.

2nd Semester: Summer Team Introduction (City League)

2nd Semester: Summer Team Introduction (City League)

2nd Semester: Summer Team Introduction (City League)

In January and February, players and families are given a strategic choice based on their development needs. Athletes can begin ABI team training, which introduces structured team concepts and prepares them for competitive play, or they may choose to participate in local city leagues. This flexibility allows ABI to evaluate how well each player’s training translates into real-game environments, using outside competition as a valuable development and assessment tool.

3rd Semester: Summer Team Season

2nd Semester: Summer Team Introduction (City League)

From March through July, players are placed on age-appropriate ABI travel teams where they can apply their skills in competitive settings. This phase emphasizes performance, teamwork, and adaptability as athletes compete against a variety of opponents. The goal is not just to win games, but to develop players who can contribute effectively within a team structure, handle pressure, and continue progressing in real basketball situations.

Performance Tracking Database

Throughout the year, ABI tracks each player’s development using a structured evaluation system. Multiple times annually, we record basketball skills, performance metrics, and physical attributes. This data-driven approach allows us to monitor growth, identify strengths and weaknesses, and create a clear developmental path for every athlete. Parents gain visibility into their child’s progress, reinforcing trust in the process.

College Scholarships

As players mature, ABI expands its focus beyond the court. We begin monitoring both on-court performance and academic progress, laying the foundation for future opportunities. Our long-term vision includes helping match each athlete with the right college fit, aligning their basketball ability, academic profile, and personal goals. This process reflects ABI’s ultimate mission: developing complete student-athletes prepared for success at the next levels both in basketball and in life.

Our Methodology

The training methodology used by the Alabama Basketball Institute is built around long-term athlete development rather than short-term competition results. 


ABI focuses on developing players over multiple years, beginning in elementary school and continuing through middle and high school, with an emphasis on skill mastery, confidence, and personal growth. 


Instead of cutting players early or recruiting only the most advanced athletes for tournament teams, ABI uses a tiered development system that allows players to progress at different speeds while remaining connected to the program.

Our Mission

Our mission is to elevate basketball in Baldwin and Mobile Counties through intentional player development. We believe an individual player’s success, scholarships, are directly connected to the success of their high school team. By prioritizing early development, ABI aims to produce players who help their high schools compete for and win state championships. Our mission is to positively impact basketball along the Gulf Coast, one player at a time.

Our Strategy

The Alabama Basketball Institute’s strategy is to develop selfless, position-less, and skilled players by blending American basketball fundamentals with European training principles. Through the structure, discipline, dedication, and teamwork demanded by the game, ABI develops not only better players, but strong leaders.

Founder and Director of Basketball Training

Paul Houlsen

Paul brings a rare combination of international professional coaching experience and local youth development leadership to the Alabama Basketball Institute.


From 2010–2020, Paul coached professional basketball teams in West Africa’s Liberian Basketball Association, leading his teams to three consecutive National Championships and earning Coach of the Year honors each year. His teams competed in FIBA-sanctioned games against clubs from across Africa and the United States, while he also conducted youth basketball camps in Africa and Europe.


After returning to Baldwin County in 2020, Paul earned certifications through AHSAA and NFHS and began coaching locally at Bayside Academy, Spanish Summer JV, and Cottage Hill Middle School.


Through these experiences, Paul noticed a significant difference in the way young players are developed internationally compared to the United States. In response, he founded the Alabama Basketball Institute (ABI) in 2022 with a clear mission: to develop confident, skilled players through a structured, long-term approach.


Paul has since worked with athletes from 15 Baldwin and Mobile County schools and, in 2023, created a long-term athlete development curriculum beginning in 3rd grade. ABI’s goal is simple but ambitious—to build a strong foundation for young players and positively impact local middle and high school basketball programs for years to come.

Find out more from Coach Paul

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