Today we’d like to introduce you to David.
Hi David , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started building what is now The Hangar long before there was ever a physical space. Back in 2020, I committed to saving and investing into creating the kind of environment I wished I had growing up—a place where athletes can train, play, recover, and develop all in one. A big part of that was also the community—through AIM Basketball Training, people trusted me early, and that support helped bring the vision to life.
Basketball has always been my anchor. I grew up on frozen driveways in Boston, in a neighborhood where games were constant and competitive. I was always in between—competing against and alongside my older brother, who’s seven years older than me, while also helping bring along my younger brother. That environment forced me to adapt quickly, think the game, and compete before I was ready.
Those experiences shaped how I approach development today. I focus less on perfect drills and more on decision-making, movement, and learning through live situations.
As I got older, I saw a gap—athletes were going to separate places for skills, strength, and rehab, with nothing tying it all together. I wanted to build a true one-stop shop centered around basketball, but rooted in mentorship, where performance and personal growth happen under one roof.
That vision became The Hangar in San Diego. It’s a space where athletes can train on the court, lift, work with a physical therapist, and actually play. Everything we do is built around helping athletes think, adapt, and move better—not just in sports, but in life.
From cold Boston nights to sunny San Diego, the mission has stayed the same: build better athletes by building better decision-makers.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. From the start, it’s been a lot of learning, adapting, and pushing through challenges.
On day one of opening in January 2026, the entire gym flooded. It was a tough moment—everything we had worked toward felt like it was at risk before we even got going. But that experience also showed the strength of the community around us. People showed up, supported us, and helped us get back on our feet. We even ended up on the news, which brought unexpected visibility and helped us keep moving forward.
Less than a month later, we dealt with another flood. It wasn’t as severe, but it still disrupted operations and slowed momentum again. At the same time, there were internal growing pains—figuring out partnerships, expectations, and making sure everyone aligned with the vision of what we’re building.
Those moments tested everything, but they also reinforced what The Hangar is about. It’s built on resilience, community, and the ability to adjust and keep going no matter what comes up.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Hangar ?
The Hangar is a performance and training facility in San Diego built to give athletes a true one-stop shop. Through ABA in Motion, my training brand, we focus on basketball development rooted in decision-making, movement, and real game application.
My background as a BCBA shapes how we train—I focus on behavior, learning, and how athletes process and apply skills in real time. I’m supported by a strong team, including Rashaan, an RBT who helps bridge skill and performance, Eric, a highly knowledgeable physical therapist, and Yuri, who brings a strong international perspective and helps lead our 3×3 and competitive play.
What sets us apart is the integration—athletes can train on the court, lift, work with a physical therapist, and compete all in one place. We also offer 3×3 runs and basketball HIIT classes that blend conditioning with game play. Everything is built around a constraint-led approach, forcing athletes to read the game, adapt, and make decisions.
What I’m most proud of is the community. ABA in Motion was built on trust, and that same support helped bring The Hangar to life.
At the end of the day, we’re not just building better athletes—we’re building smarter, more adaptable ones
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I see risk as part of building anything meaningful. This whole journey—from starting ABA in Motion over Zoom during COVID in the courtyard of my Pacific Beach apartment, where my neighbors were working from home while I was out there bouncing a basketball—to investing into The Hangar, has been a major risk.
There were a lot of moments where it felt uncertain and honestly pretty scary, especially taking on an expensive project without knowing exactly how it would all come together.
At the same time, life didn’t pause. I actually signed the lease for The Hangar the same hour my cat passed, which made that moment even more emotional. It wasn’t just a business decision—it was personal.
But I believe risk and reward go together. For me, it’s about taking calculated risks in something I truly believe in. I wasn’t just chasing an idea—I was building something I wished existed growing up.
You can prepare as much as possible, but at some point you have to step into the unknown and trust you’ll figure it out.
Pricing:
- Basketball Training Memberships (ABA in Motion) 1x/week: $200/month 2x/week: $360/month Unlimited: $500/month trial sessions 40
- Gym Memberships $60/month $130/month $150/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Thehangarsd.com
- Instagram: @thehangar_sd
- Other: https://Readyaimhoop.com
