Tom Emory

Tom Emory has been a basketball coach and trainer for over 24 years, mentoring athletes in the Spokane community from ages 5 to 25.  Tom comes from a family that is deeply involved in the game of basketball – his dad, wife, and daughter all played college basketball. His dad was a High School Championship coach in Colorado Springs, Colorado and his daughter is currently on the coaching staff at The Masters University where she played 4 years.   Below are some of the highlights of Tom’s career:

  • Founded the Spokane Basketball School back in 2001 
  • Founded the Spokane Club Shootout in 2000, Spokane largest 5 on 5 competitive adult indoor tournament
  • Sports Director of the Spokane Club for 8 years
  • Head Varsity coach at Shadle Park for 2 years
    • Led the Highlanders to a 3A GSL regular season Championship
    • Led the Highlanders to a District Championship, into Regionals, and State Qualifications
  • Head Coach for the NW Blazers White, Black, and Lightning teams over a 8 year span
    • Elite Showcase travel team, and was top sponsored Adidas organization in the county – since switching over to UnderArmour as the top organization in the country
    • Has personally helped families / athletes in the Northwest receive over $5 MILLION in college scholarship offers
    • Over 95% of the players that Tom coached went on to play at the NAIA, D3, D2, and D1 level – and even two athletes that are currently playing professionally
  • Shooting instructor, utilizing NOAH and NOAHLYTICS, for over 10 years
  • Started ITZ Sports Performance back in 2017, all the while conducting between 80-100 private lessons per month
  • Veteran of the US Air Force where he served from 1990-94 during Desert Shield and Desert Storm (Gulf War)

Tony Skinner

Tony Skinner moved to Spokane, WA in 2002 to continue his basketball career. He went on to play for Gonzaga University from 2002-2004. He graduated from Gonzaga with a Bachelors in Sociology. After graduation, Tony went on to play professionally in Germany after which he returned to Spokane and started to embrace what Spokane and the basketball world have in common – a real love for the game. 

In 2007, Tony began his coaching career with a fellow teammate, and has since coached for several youth programs, teams, and organizations. 

Tony loves the passion Spokane has for basketball and does as much as he can to continue to give back. With 3 children of his own, his focus is on the fundamentals of the game. This includes not only teaching proper form and technique, but truly teaching the game the right way. 

  • Gonzaga Graduate 2004 played from 2002-2004
  • Played Professionally in Germany
  • Bachelors in Sociology, emphasis on teaching
  • Coached girls/boys AAU 2008-present
  • Individual/small group/team trainings
  • Collaborate and Consult with Lilac Legends (Spokane minor league BBall team)
  • Constant Student of the game

Troy Oliver

From Sandpoint High School to the University of Idaho and LCSC, Troy’s journey in sports has been remarkable. 

With years of experience, he’s trained athletes at all levels, from grade school to elite competitors. His dedication and expertise shine through in every session. 

Beyond the gym, Troy finds solace in spending quality time outdoors with his wife, Sam, and their beloved dog. 

His passion for training stems from the amazing coaches and trainers he had while growing up, and he’s determined to provide athletes with a solid foundation for success, not only in their sport but in life as they progress to the next level. 

garrett williams

With an impressive 11 yers of basketball experience under his belt, Garrett’s journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication and love for the game. Garrett’s basketball odyssey began at Northwest Nazarene University, continued through Southwest Oregon Community College, and led him to Multnomah and Portland Bible Colleges, where his faith and basketball talents beautifully intertwined.

Known for his versatile shooting skills and ability to score from all three levels, Garrett’s impact extends beyond the court and into the hearts of the Spokane community. For the past four yers he has been the Elementary Director at Life Center, earning respect for his commitment to uplifting others. 

Guided by unwavering faith, Garrett attributes his success to a higher power and strives to lead both on and off the court, embodying values like hard work, faith, and community.  His journey from Nampa to Spokane is a remarkable story of faith and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence. His faith, dedication, and passion for the game and community make him a valuable addition to our team.

Bogdan Blyzniuk

Bogdan Blyzniuk hails from Lutsk, Ukraine.

Humility in action, precision in coaching, and compassion in every session, former Big Sky Conference Player of the Year and EWU all-time leading scorer, Bogdan is a fantastic part of our training team.

After graduating from EWU, he played professionally in Ukraine on Beni Herzliya, Kyiv-Basket, BC Budivelnyk, and Cholet Basket teams. He represented Ukraine in FIBA competitions and made the Ukraine National team in 2018. We re so pleased to have him available to our ITZ members for one-on-one training or to lead our classes. 

Austin Yoakum

Bio coming soon

Elle Burland

The newest addition to our staff is Elle Borland. Her resume is impressive. As a high school basketball player at East Valley High School in Spokane, Elle was the starting point guard all 4 years. She was a first team all league player her first three years then was the MVP her senior year. 

She went on to play at the collegiate level as the starting point guard for Holy Names University.

Since college she has been the Northwest Blazers Montana Head Coach of the 2023 summer AAU season and has been providing 1-on-1 basketball training in Kalispell, MT for the past three years for 30-35 athletes. She has worked with boys and girls from 5th grade to college age. 

We are excited to have Elle as part of the ITZ Family!

Greg Woodman

Meet Greg Woodman, our exceptional Pickleball Coordinator at ITZ Sports Performance! Originally from Spokane and raised in Renton, Washington, Greg is not just a seasoned real estate agent with 8 years at 4 Degrees Real Estate, he is also a dedicated family man, happily married to Erin, with two amazing daughters, Scarlet and Savannah.

When he’s not on the Pickleball court, you can find the Woodman family adventuring up to the lake, boating, and cherishing quality time.

Beyond his real estate prowess, Greg is deeply immersed in Pickleball. He trains passionately for the sport, offering both individual and group sessions. As a prominent figure in Liberty Lake Pickleball, Greg’s expertise and enthusiasm make him an invaluable addition to the ITZ Sports Performance family.

Austin Vansant

Austin Vansant is the ITZ General Manager. A Spokane Valley native, he epitomizes the journey from adversity to inspiration. As a student from East Valley High School, he embraced both football and basketball, transcending a challenging upbringing. 

Basketball carried Austin to Yakima Valley Community College, where he pursued his passion and nurtured his talent. However, an ACL injury and tibia fracture redirected his path, leading to a business degree from Texas Christian University. 

Professionally, Austin has a strong commitment to youth development, particularly through the Spokane community. He credits basketball with saving him and attributes his success to faith. Austin’s heart belongs to Spokane, where his mission is to empower kids, instilling in them the belief that anything is achievable. His story embodies resilience, faith, and a profound commitment to inspiring the community. 

keylan breesnee

Keylan IS the ITZ Front Desk. When you see Keylan, you see ITZ. He is the heart and soul of the front desk and the go-to for a warm smile and expert assistance. His love for basketball is infectious. When he’s not at the desk, you might see him helping out with camps or classes. He’s versatile and an awesome asset to ITZ.