Alumni Spotlight, Nick Spires

Back in 2010, a 16-year-old Nick Spires spent a year in Barcelona playing basketball with FC Barcelona's youth academy, living at their residence, La Masia, and attending the American School of Barcelona. Today, he plays professionally in his home country of Sweden, but it's what he's built off the court that's turning heads. Earlier this year, Nick launched Nspire Basketball Camp, a program designed to develop not just better players, but stronger people.

The idea came from reflecting on his own path, including that year in Barcelona, when learning a new language, making new friends, and performing in school and on the court all at once was a lot for a 16-year-old. He found refuge in the friends he made and in teachers who understood what he was going through. "My teachers were kind, supportive, and made learning fun," Nick recalls. "It never felt like something was being forced upon you. Instead, they found ways to spark a genuine curiosity and desire to learn." That approach, Nick says, became an inspiration for his camp, a place where learning feels inspiring rather than forced, aiming to light that same spark in young players.

Open to players ages 11 to 16, Nspire blends high-level training with less commonly taught skills, like handling setbacks. "Mistakes, weaknesses, and losses are visible in a way that can be difficult to handle, especially at a young age," Nick explains. "I want participants to leave with tools for life, not just for basketball." He also wants players to see past the highlight reel. "There are thousands of hours of training on small, marginal improvements. Sleep, nutrition, recovery, focus... that's the bigger picture I want young players to understand."

His hope for campers, ten years on? "That they enjoyed themselves, developed as players and people, and felt they could truly be themselves." And his advice to young players everywhere: "Focus on what you can control, and learn to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. That's where you grow."

Congratulations, Nick! We’re excited to follow Nspires and all you do to inspire youth.