About WBA

The WBA Mission:

Develop the whole player emotionally, mentally, and athletically.
Build self-esteem in youth.
Teach useful skills.
Develop positive values and ethics.
Build a healthy championship environment and culture

Boys and Girls in grades 4th through high school are encouraged to try out. School district boundaries do not apply to club teams like WBA.

WBA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. There are no refunds issued for fees and/or donations. All fees and proceeds collected go to the form and function of the program/organization.

Go Cats!

Join AAU

An Amateur Athletics Union (AAU) membership is required for all WBA Players and Coaches. Click the link to join or renew your AAU membership!

WBA Club Code: RSX6CAE4

Leadership

Joe Bondarchuk

Co-Founder, Director of Coaching

I am Joe Bondarchuk, co-founder of the WBA. Growing up in Chicago through very difficult family circumstances the gym was the one place that was a constant. It’s where I was able to learn and grow and truly be myself and unlock my potential as an athlete and a person. The most important lessons were always about more than basketball. It was the coaches that pushed me and encouraged me and showed me what I was capable of and taught me those life lessons that truly impacted me.

After my post-college playing career ended it was clear that I would carry on my passion for the game but now in the role of mentor, trainer and coach. Now I get to inspire, encourage and teach those same life lessons to the next generation.

It is my belief that the best basketball players and the most successful people in life are mentally and physically strong. Strength and conditioning develops both our physical body and our mental toughness. Pushing athletes to do more than they think they are capable of directly translates to everyday life situations and prepares them to deal with difficulties.

Through my life experiences I have learned a true understanding that the mental and physical skills and traits that we develop in the gym can help us navigate life. I feel fortunate to be able to pass along what I have learned and help athletes be their best person, it’s about more than basketball.

Mark Joplin

Co-Founder, Director of Operations

I’m Mark Joplin, co-founder of the WBA, where our shared love of the game brings us together, but our commitment to you as a whole person with unlimited potential extending far beyond basketball, keeps us together.

Born and raised in Western Washington, I discovered my love for basketball at a young age, playing through high school and later coaching at various levels when my own kids started playing. Coaching my own kids, of course, called up my own memories of playing during the 1980s and 1990s, and a vision to imagine more, expect more, and inspire more than basketball came into view.

The WBA is not just an AAU basketball and training program, it’s the idea that youth sports hold the power to create opportunities that transcend the game when we intentionally commit to learning, growth, and development while honoring the unlimited potential of the athletes and adults that come together to collectively develop, support, and inspire more than basketball.

In this spirit, I partnered with Joe to launch this idea and now we partner with you all – the players, the coaches and the families who every day bring this idea to life.

We are the WBA Family.

Jayne Soterakopoulos

Director of Communication

2x Ironman 140.6 Miles Finisher 2019 and 2021
1x Half Ironman 70.3 Miles Finisher 2020
Seafair Sprint Triathlon Finisher
Lake Wilderness Sprint Triathlon Finisher
Lake Sammamish Sprint Triathlon Finisher
Lake Padden Sprint Triathlon Finisher

Gilbert Martin

Director of Player Development, Team Coach

Gilbert is the owner and trainer for Martin Basketball. He is a respected mentor and coach who served many of our Wildcat athletes prior to joining the WBA.

Gilbert grew up participating in multiple sports in the Lynnwood area. He has played varsity basketball, football, and ran track at Lynnwood High School.

He continues to serve community youth by providing weekend basketball training sessions. His focus, approach, and beliefs are aligned with the WBA Mission and Values.

(Black Shirt in Photo)

Chris Soterakopoulos

Director of Physical Health, Team Coach

Chris Soterakopoulos has been involved with WBA since 2022. Chris brings a plethora of basketball knowledge that stems from playing basketball through AAU programs as a child, to high school and through college. He has a strong belief in developing work ethic, habitual creation, foundational skill building and teamwork in basketball. The process of improvement lasts a lifetime and if we can start instilling these values in our youth now, through basketball, then it will help define how they make decisions and choices in the future.

As for accomplishments, Chris is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and has been practicing for 13+ years. He offers medical coverage and advice for the whole WBA family throughout the year. He is also a rules expert, as he serves as a basketball official for Snohomish county high schools and community colleges throughout Washington State.

If he is not in a basketball gym, he can be spotted in the community taking his kids to golf and soccer tournaments, football games or catching a Kraken game.

(Red Shirt in Photo)

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse