IT'S NOT JUST BASKETBALL.

IT'S A MOVEMENT!

THE OFFICIAL PARTNER OF

MARIETTA BLUE DEVILS BASKETBALL

Gem City Athletic league

Who We Are

The Gem City Athletic League is more than just a youth sports program-we're a community partner dedicated to growing the next generation. By offering league, camps, and clinics that balance developmentally appropriate competition with a focus on character and sportsmanship, we support Marietta's elementary schools in teaching lessons that last far beyond the game.

Gem City Athletic league

What We Do

At the Gem City Athletic League, we create opportunities for Marietta's elementary students to experience the excitement of organized sports. Through leagues, camps, clinics, and post-season tournaments, we provide safe, structured play where young athletes can sharpen their skills, learn teamwork, and compete with pride. Along the way, we build connections between families, schools, and the wider community.

Gem City Athletic league

How We Do It

Our focus is to teach the game the right way-starting with fundamentals. Our coaches emphasize ball movement, spacing, motion offense, and creating separation to build smart, unselfish players. On defense, we focus on man-to-man principles, helpside positioning, and teamwork. With structured practices and competitive play, athletes gain the skills, discipline, and basketball IQ that prepare them for success on and off the court.

Gem City Athletic league

Coaching Philosophy

Our coaching philosophy centers on teaching fundamentals, fostering discipline, and building character through team-oriented play. We emphasize ball movement, motion offense, and spacing to help players understand how to create opportunities and read the game. We teach man-to-man defense, with a focus on helpside support, positioning, and accountability. Our coaches are committed to developing well-rounded athletes who value teamwork, effort, and sportsmanship as much as winning.

Meet Coach Ian King

Rooted in the prestigious Ed McCluskey coaching tree, Coach King brings championship-winning experience and a passion for teaching skills that extend beyond basketball. He believes basketball is a life lesson where opportunities are earned, not given.

His focus? Teaching players to create those opportunities through smart decision-making, off-ball movement, and teamwork using the Spread Motion Offense.

Coach King prioritizes fundamentals and passion in young athletes, delaying competitive play until they’re ready, building a strong foundation for success both on and off the court.

FUNDAMENTAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT

OUR LEAGUE FOCUS IS TEACHING FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS & TEAMWORK THROUGH STRUCTURED PRACTICES AND COMPETITIVE GAMES.

BASKETBALL IQ

PLAYERS GROW INDIVIDUALLY AND AS PART OF THEIR SCHOOL TEAM AS THEY LEARN MOTION OFFENSE, CREATING SPACE, OFFENSIVE DECISION MAKING, OFF-BALL MOVEMENT, AND MAN-TO-MAN DEFENSIVE PRINCIPLES.