CADEN EBELING - A PRO TRAINING IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN WITH HUFFMAN BASKETBALL
At Huffman Basketball, we often hear the question: “What does it take to become the best basketball player I can be?” While there’s no magic formula, two critical elements define success on the court: hard work and dedication. These elements are embodied in what we call the Unseen Hours and the IT Factor.
The Unseen Hours
The unseen hours are the time you spend outside of practice, putting in the work when no one is watching. Every shot, every drill, and every moment you dedicate to improving your game builds your confidence—not just physically but mentally as well.
Here’s an example: In high school, I would wake up at 5:30 AM every day. My mom would drop me off at the gym, where I’d work on shooting, game moves, and ball handling for an hour before class. While my competition was just waking up, I had already completed a structured workout.
Many kids say they don’t have access to a gym or a hoop, but if you truly want to be the best, you’ll find a way. I didn’t have a gym, so I built a relationship with the school janitor, who gave me early access to the gym. Without a hoop at home, I introduced myself to a neighbor with a nice setup and asked if I could train there.
The beauty of the unseen hours lies in the resourcefulness and commitment it fosters. It pushes you to step outside your comfort zone and get the work done no matter the obstacles.
The IT Factor
To excel at basketball, you also need the IT Factor—the mentality and drive to push beyond limits. Some call it the "Mamba Mentality" or the "killer instinct." Basketball is 70% mental and 30% physical. You can be the most skilled player on the court, but without mental toughness, you’ll fall short.
The IT Factor means doing whatever it takes to accomplish your goals, no questions asked. This is where the unseen hours create magic behind the scenes. While some aspects of the IT Factor may be innate, it can be developed through consistent effort.
Here’s the secret: Consistency trumps intensity. It’s easy to go all out for a week, but true growth comes from stacking days of consistent effort over time.
A Real-Life Example: Caden Ebeling
One of our HB clients, Caden Ebeling, is a perfect example of the IT Factor and the power of consistency. Caden plays professionally in Denmark’s First Division, averaging 25 PPG and 13 RPG. But his journey to this point wasn’t easy.
In high school, Caden was a 6’6” wing at Utica High School—good, but not a standout. After averaging 17 PPG his senior year, he received interest only from small Division III programs and decided to attend Albion College.
During his freshman year, Caden tore his ACL—a devastating setback. However, instead of giving up, he took it as a wake-up call. He developed a plan and committed to consistent work. He worked out early in the morning, went to practice, attended class, did homework, and then hit the gym again at night.
Caden’s dedication didn’t stop there:
He did yoga in the student rec center.
Took ice baths in the Kalamazoo River.
Played racquetball to improve quickness.
Watched game film late at night.
Focused on lateral speed with sand workouts.
Hired a nutritionist and skill development trainer
The result?
Caden became Albion’s second all-time leading scorer, a four-time All-Conference player, and First-Team All-Conference. With one more year of eligibility due to COVID, he transferred to Lake State on a full scholarship.
Unfortunately, he tore his ACL again—but this time, he came back stronger than ever. Caden completely transformed his body, tracking every meal, taking protein powder everywhere he went, and biking 30 minutes to the gym for two-hour skill workouts. He even drove 2.5 hours on weekends to train with HB.
Now, Caden is living his dream of playing professional basketball.
Your Takeaway
Caden’s story shows that no matter the adversity or odds, consistency, hard work, and the IT Factor can help you achieve your goals. Develop a plan, stay disciplined, and never let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do.
We’d love to hear about your unseen hours and how they’ve shaped your journey.
Keep working hard,
Huffman Basketball
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