A local coach and Coronado resident is bridging the gap in youth sports through his innovative program, The Bridge Basketball Club. Founded by Anthony Ott, the head coach of Coronado High School’s boys’ basketball team, the club offers local Coronado and San Diego youth opportunities to improve their basketball skills, try out new equipment, compete at a high level, connect with college coaches, and develop into well-rounded members of society.
A graduate of Coronado High School, Ott has been involved in basketball for most of his life, starting to play at just four years old. “I’ve always been obsessed with basketball since I can remember,” Ott shared. After a successful high school career, he went on to play at the junior college level until a career-ending injury redirected his passion towards coaching. “I have been a basketball coach for 17 years now, and this will be my fifth season at the high school (Coronado High School).”
Ott’s coaching career took off in Chicago, where he witnessed firsthand the challenges that young athletes from under-resourced communities faced. “The genesis of The Bridge Basketball Club began when I was coaching in Chicago. The goal was to offer under-resourced communities a platform for exposure to college basketball opportunities,” he explained.
From its inception in Chicago, the program’s mission has reflected a commitment not only to the sport but also to the personal growth of its participants. “The whole idea behind the name was to bridge the gap for underprivileged, under-resourced communities to give them an opportunity and a platform to get exposure to college basketball coaches and these tournaments that took place around the Midwest,” Ott explained. “A lot of the players that I was coaching at the time and members of that community, couldn’t afford to pay for what they call AAU, which is travel basketball … So I started a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to give the kids of the Chicago community an opportunity to be involved in AAU sports.”
Since returning to Coronado in 2020, Ott has worked tirelessly to improve the community’s basketball infrastructure here just as he did in Chicago. “When I arrived, there was not much of a feeder program… I could quickly tell that the younger students within Coronado Unified School District had not had exposure to the proper way of playing the game of basketball,” he noted. “So I took it upon myself to not only be the varsity head coach, but also to orchestrate the development of basketball within the community.”
The Bridge Basketball Club has made significant strides in this regard, expanding its reach to field teams for various age groups, from 9U to 18U. “So, the first year we did it, I actually teamed up with a coaching friend of mine who at the time was coaching at San Diego High School, and we basically created a team called The Bridge, and it was half San Diego High School players and half Cornado High School players,” Ott explained of the club’s origins here in town. “We traveled around Southern California, and then it kind of expanded.”
Last season, the club offered teams across multiple age levels, and this year, they are focusing on building strong middle school teams, with sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade players participating alongside a ninth-grade team. “We wanted those younger kids to get exposure to real basketball coaching… it was something that I always wished was offered to me growing up [in Coronado],” said Ott.
While Ott would love for everyone to participate in these teams, he noted that they are all competitive, and members must try out. “I would love everybody the opportunity to participate in The Bridge, but at the end of the day, it is a competitive team. It is not just a rec league ‘pay-to-play.’ I think AAU has really been diluted with a lot of that. It’s become really like a cash grab, which I did not want to be the case,” he began. “I wanted to focus on players who were going to take it seriously. But we do offer, for example, if a player didn’t make the team, he’s still allowed to participate in our developmental program, where he can attend practices and get better. And then when the next session comes around, hopefully they advance their skills well enough to make the team.”
Ott also offers training camps for those interested in improving their skills or maybe interested in getting started with basketball for the first time. Ott explained that this is a great way for players of any skill level to get involved without having to commit to a team or the many expenses that often come with joining a competitive league.
The Bridge Basketball Club operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, relying heavily on community support. “We welcome sponsorships and donations to help fund our programs and provide essential resources like training equipment and gym rentals,” Ott stated. With gym rentals being a significant expense in Coronado, community involvement is vital to the club’s sustainability and growth. “We want to be able to get these kids involved in more tournaments. We also want to be able to hire more coaches and provide them with different training equipment and gym rentals,” Ott explained. “Certainly, we would love for members of the community to get involved, whether it’s volunteering, fundraising, sponsorships, donations, and things like that.”
In addition to developing athletic skills, The Bridge Basketball Club aims to build a sense of community among its players. The club emphasizes more than just basketball skills; it instills essential values such as discipline, leadership, and accountability. “Beyond the basketball, I’ve always been big on teaching these kids skills that translate off of the basketball court and into success in their real life,” Ott added. He believes that participation in sports can help young athletes become well-rounded individuals, contributing positively to their communities. “We are big on communication and skills that translate to being a successful human being off the court, whether it’s being a business owner, being a student, being a good brother, a good classmate, a father, however you want to look at it… So we’re big on implementing habits into their life that are going to make them healthy and are also going to just make them well-rounded human beings.”
For participants who do not live in Coronado, this program offers a world of opportunities they might not otherwise have, including meeting other players and utilizing Coronado’s facilities. Ott believes that connecting these kids with other communities fosters strong relationships between Coronado students and those in the greater San Diego area, all brought together by a shared love for basketball.
“I wanted to give kids, who maybe haven’t had an opportunity or a chance to come to Coronado, an excuse and vehicle to come to the island and experience all the great offerings that the community has here,” he said.
“And on the flip side, I also wanted, after being in Chicago for six or seven years, to come back here. With the experiences that I learned there, I want to take Coronado and get it involved more in the greater San Diego County community, not just be isolated on our own island.”
For those interested in joining The Bridge Basketball Club, Ott encourages parents and players to stay informed through the club’s Instagram page and sign up for newsletters. “We want to give everyone a chance to participate, even if they don’t make the competitive team. Our developmental program allows kids to improve their skills and try again in future sessions,” he explained. This inclusive approach ensures that all interested players have the opportunity to learn and grow.
Looking ahead, Ott envisions The Bridge Basketball Club evolving beyond traditional basketball training. He hopes to create a platform that exposes young people to various career paths within the sports industry, including coaching, physical therapy, and sports journalism. “I want to help kids see that there are many ways to stay involved in sports beyond being an athlete,” he said. Ott hopes to expand the program to incorporate workshops and mentorship programs focusing on various sports-related careers, which could further empower participants.
As The Bridge Basketball Club continues to grow, its impact on the Coronado community is undeniable. “We are devoted to delivering a holistic athletic and leadership development curriculum that enables young athletes to maximize their capabilities both on and off the court. By offering top-tier coaching, mentorship, and resource access, our goal is to cultivate an environment characterized by excellence, integrity, and collaboration,” said Ott. “Our dedication to every player extends far beyond the realm of sports, as we aspire to impart enduring values and skills that will benefit them long after their basketball endeavors. Together, we build bridges to success, nurturing each individual player along the way.”
For more information on how to get involved or support The Bridge Basketball Club, follow them on Instagram @thebridge.basketball.
VOL. 115, NO. 32 – Aug. 6, 2025
