By SDCN Staff
San Marcos, CA–Youth basketball in North County is getting a boost as Mike Allen Sports, a long-standing leader in basketball development and mentorship from San Jose, announces its expansion to San Marcos.
Led by former college basketball national champion and renowned coach Mike Allen, the camps offer young athletes the opportunity for skill development, game IQ training, player-specific coaching, and competitive gameplay.
Allen was a three-time National Bible College Athletics Association National Champion with San Jose Christian College (now Division II Jessup University). He went on to coach at the professional, college, and high school levels for the San Jose Spiders (National Women’s Basketball League), Poland’s MTK Szczecinek (International Basketball Federation), Willam Jessup University, De Anza College, Gunderson High School (San Jose), and more.
Mike Allen Sports’ player development training program for the spring is underway at Play By Play Productions at 1601 San Elijo Road. The sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays through May 22 with divisions for kids aged 10-12 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., kids aged 13-15 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., and kids aged 16-19 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Registration is available here.
Pre-registration is also available for Spring Break Camp March 31 – April 3, Shooting and Scoring Camp June 30 – July 3, and Fundamental Skills Camp July 21-24.
More than 20 players from Mike Allen Sports have gone on to play Division I basketball, including one on this year’s UC San Diego team that won the Big West Conference regular-season championship. Mike Allen Sports has also seen more than 40 of its players go on to play at Division II and Division III universities, more than 30 players at NAIA schools, and more than 50 players at the junior college level.
This San Marcos expansion represents more than just sports—it’s a testament to the perseverance and resilience of small business owners in the post-pandemic era.
For decades, Mike Allen Sports has been a driving force in youth development in the Bay Area, fostering talent and leadership through camps, leagues, and mentorship programs. Like many small businesses, the pandemic forced Allen to rethink and pivot. With youth sports shut down and families struggling, he temporarily relocated to Las Vegas to sustain his business. But now, with a renewed vision and an unwavering commitment to community, he is bringing his elite training back and stronger than ever in the Bay Area and San Diego.
“This expansion is about more than just basketball,” Allen said. “It’s about rebuilding, about giving young athletes the confidence and skills they need to succeed, both on and off the court. The pandemic challenged us all, but it also showed the importance of perseverance. San Diego is an incredible sports city, and I’m thrilled to be a part of developing the next generation of athletes here. It’s about growth and providing opportunities for kids in diverse areas.”
Allen was recently selected as one of 500 entrepreneurs to participate in the Hello Alice Wells Fargo Equitable Boost Camp, which supports Black entrepreneurs navigating post-pandemic challenges by offering direct access to industry experts, targeted educational resources, one-on-one mentorship, and a powerful network of fellow entrepreneurs.
“Opportunities like this provide a sense of hope,” Allen said. “I hope my story inspires small business owners to keep trusting in the process and believing in their dreams. In these times, we need to lean into mentors and community more than ever to overcome obstacles and build a brighter future, whether that’s in the Bay Area or a new community like San Diego.”
