Our Story
How We Started
Vietnam Basketball Association: Da Nang Dragons 2016-2019
2016 Vietnam Basketball Association Champions
Asean Basketball League: Saigon Heat 2016-2018
Vietnam Men’s National Team: 2017-2019
Nothing Is Given Hoops has built a strong foundation in player development, coaching and training. With a commitment to teaching the game the right way, the program has experienced consistent growth and continues to expand our basketball mission all over the world.
Nothing Is Given Hoops works with players at every level from youth and high school athletes to collegiate and professional players throughout Southern California. Backed by NBA coaching experience and NBA Pre-Draft training and player development, the program’s reach also extends internationally, with experience coaching National Teams and professional clubs around the world.
Rooted in a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation, Nothing Is Given Hoops evolves alongside the game while remaining committed to fundamental excellence. Core areas of development include ball handling for all positions, shooting footwork and balance, defensive awareness, and offensive decision-making tailored to each player’s role.
Through a blend of experience, ongoing education, and an unwavering focus on fundamentals, Nothing Is Given Hoops continues to develop the next generation of basketball players and leaders, positioned for sustained growth and long-term success.
San Diego Clippers: NBA G-League ‘25-26
SEAGames 32
SEAGames 31: Leading Vietnam over Malaysia
SEAGames 30: First Ever Men’s 5x5 Bronze Medal in Vietnam Basketball
Horace Nguyen
FOUNDER
Coach Horace Nguyen is a former professional basketball player and one of the original Vietnamese-heritage athletes to play professionally in Vietnam. A native of West Covina, California, his basketball journey began at West Covina High School, where he established himself as a varsity captain.
Following high school, Coach Horace played one season at Cypress College before earning an athletic scholarship to Bristol University, which competed at the NCCAA Division I level at the time. During his junior year (2014–2015), he helped lead Bristol University to a Cal-Pac Conference regular-season and tournament championship. While at Bristol, he competed in one of the nation’s most demanding preseason schedules, facing more than ten NCAA Division I programs.
After college, Coach Horace was selected in the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA) Draft by the Da Nang Dragons—his family’s hometown team. He debuted with the Dragons during their inaugural professional season in 2016 and went on to play four seasons with the organization. Serving as team captain for all four years, he helped lead the Dragons to the 2016 VBA Championship in his rookie season. He currently holds franchise records as the Da Nang Dragons’ all-time leader in games played, assists, steals, and three-point field goals made.
In addition to his VBA career, Coach Horace played two seasons (2016–2018) with the Saigon Heat in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), the premier professional league in Southeast Asia. Internationally, he was a two-time member of the Vietnam Men’s 5x5 National Team, competing in the 2017 and 2019 Southeast Asian Games. In 2019, he played a key role on the historic Vietnam Men’s National Team that captured the country’s first-ever 5x5 men’s basketball bronze medal at the 30th SEA Games in Manila, Philippines.
Currently, Coach Horace Nguyen is a Coaching & Player Development Associate with the San Diego Clippers, the NBA G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Clippers. He previously served as Head Coach of the Vietnam Women’s National Team, leading the program at the 31st and 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
His coaching experience spans professional, international, and collegiate basketball. Coach Horace has worked as a consultant with the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), served as a Player Development Coach for NBA Pre-Draft athletes with Life Sports Agency (2024) and BDA Sports (2025), and held the role of Lead Assistant Coach and Player Development Coach at Citrus College.
Coach Horace’s philosophy is rooted in selfless leadership and guiding players through discipline, work ethic, and consistency. His coaching experience spans every level of the game, from youth and high school basketball to collegiate, overseas professional, and NBA-level development. He is committed to developing not only better basketball players, but stronger people on and off the court.
Our Values
Hard Work
"Our philosophy revolves around the diligent pursuit of our goals. Each objective stands atop a metaphorical mountain, where we educate our players on the principles of perseverance and the significance of hard work."
Discipline
“With the right mindset comes discipline. Every successful individual, both on and off the court, has adhered to a structured and disciplined plan to achieve their goals. Our aim is to reinforce and empower our players by instilling self-discipline, enabling them to develop and execute their own plans for success.”
Consistency
“People will have their best days, and sometimes they won't. This is where we place a high value on consistency. By working on oneself and consistently collaborating with our players, both on and off the court, we can achieve meaningful results. Greatness and success do not come overnight; it is consistency that is the key.”
Faith
“We are committed to empowering our players to believe in themselves and embrace the principle that consistent effort, relentless discipline, and dedicated hours of hard work will lead to tangible results and success. We stand by the conviction that hard work never fails.”
