I Spent a Day Training Like a High School Super Athlete at OTE - Will Tennyson

[Will Tennyson]

Ever wonder what it's like to train at a $100 million basketball facility designed for the top 0.01% of teenage athletes? Will Tennyson did too, so he spent a day at Overtime Elite (OTE) to find out just how different life is for high school basketball's genetic elite.

What is OTE?

For those who don't know, Overtime Elite is basically Hogwarts for basketball. It's a fully accredited high school combined with an elite basketball development program that brings in the best young talent from around the world. Players get full scholarships covering housing, food, training, and education - all while building their personal brands with a media team that rivals professional sports organizations.

The facility itself is insane. NBA players who visit reportedly say it's better than what they have. The arena uses the same LED lighting system as Crypto.com Arena and Barclays Center. There are only three arenas in the world with this tech.

The Athletes

Will spent time with some seriously impressive young players:

• Diamond - 6'8", 3.1 million Instagram followers, and a jewelry collection worth hundreds of thousands. The dude shoots around 1,000 shots per day.
• TK - Top 15 ranked player in the country, headed to Kansas. Oh, and he started his own water brand (6'7 Water) after a TikTok blew up.
• Cam - Just 16 years old, already 6'5"-6'6", and more well-spoken than most adults. His mom runs a soul food truck in Cincinnati called "A Little Taste of Soul" - go support!
• Anderson - Who apparently survives on candy, juice, and fried chicken. Living the dream, honestly.

Training Highlights

The off-court workout was brutal. Will went head-to-head with TK on:

• Split squats (TK can do 315 lbs at 17 years old)
• Sled races (Will got smoked)
• Vertical jumps (Will hit 15.5 inches... TK hit 16.8)

The on-court session with head coach Cory Frasier included ball handling drills, layups from various positions, and three-point shooting. Will's coordination during the dribbling drills was... let's just say entertaining. But he did drain a few shots, including some threes!

The 1v1 games didn't go so well though. TK ended it quickly, and Diamond made it look effortless. Will's best moment? "At least I didn't get a zero."

What Sets OTE Apart

According to the players, it's all about time management. They only attend classes for about 4 hours a day instead of the traditional 7, and that extra time goes directly into training and development. They have:

• 24/7 gym access
• NBA-level facilities
• Full physio and recovery (hot tubs, cold tubs, compression therapy)
• Professional media training
• On-site barber shop (look good, play good)
• Gourmet cafeteria with rotating menus
• Game film review rooms
• Green screen studios for media days

Players literally show up to their lockers and find new shoes waiting for them. Will got hooked up with Adidas Harden Vol. 10s and Fear of God Adidas basketball shoes just for visiting.

The Tryout Process

Here's the crazy part - OTE received 20,000 applications this year. They reviewed every single one, flew 20 finalists down (all expenses paid), and selected ONE player to join the league. That's a 0.005% acceptance rate. Makes getting into Harvard look easy.

Final Thoughts

Diamond summed it up perfectly when asked about Will's potential: "You could be the one... you're not big, but you're strong." The verdict? Maybe give it two years. Or just stick to the weight room.

The whole experience really showcases how much the landscape of youth athletics has changed. These kids are being treated like professional athletes from age 14-15, getting media trained, brand coached, and physically developed at an elite level. Whether you think it's amazing preparation or too much too soon, there's no denying OTE is doing something unprecedented.

Watch the full video for:

• Will attempting (and failing) ball handling drills
• The fastest 1v1 games ever recorded
• Frozen Uncrustables eaten raw
• Diamond's jewelry collection tour (coming soon?)
• Will's Make-A-Wish foundation cosplay in basketball shorts

What do you guys think about programs like OTE? Is this the future of youth sports development, or is there something lost when high school athletics become this professionalized?

Drop your thoughts below!