MEET OUR TEAM

David Stanley, CEO & Founder
Academic Tutor | Elite Basketball Trainer
David Stanley is the founder and CEO of #RiseUp Academy, where he combines his passion for education and sports to empower young athletes. With a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's degree in teaching, David brings a strong academic foundation to his work. His extensive background includes over seven years of professional basketball experience, which enriches his coaching and mentoring approach. Additionally, with more than seven years of teaching experience, David is dedicated to fostering both academic and athletic excellence in his students.
Accolades
Former Professional Basketball Player
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Euro-League
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Angolan Division 1
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Armenian A-league
7+ years of basketball skills training
Youtube appearances on The Next Chapter, The Twenty3 League & FreeSmoke Tour (D-stan)
Master's in Education (Mathematics)
7+ years in Minnesota Public Schools

Darnell Adams Sr.
Advanced Basketball Trainer
Coach Adams brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to #RiseUp Academy, where he has been a dedicated trainer for the past year. A former collegiate athlete at Wiley College, Coach Adams played as a guard, honing his skills in ball handling, court vision and overall game strategy. As a specialist in ball handling and guard development, Coach Adams is passionate about helping athletes refine their skills to elevate their game. Athletes admire training with Coach Adams for his commitment to their growth and his ability to push them toward elite-level basketball performance.
Accolades
Guard at Sam Houston High School
Guard at Wiley College 2008-2011
Wiley College All American
Professional-level experience alongside T.J. Ford​​​


Daevonte Munson
Youth/Beginner Basketball Trainer
Meet Coach Munson, one of our newest trainers who brings a strong passion for youth development. A proud graduate of Roseville Area High School, Daevonte was an all-conference basketball player and continued to excel at Valley City State University, earning first-team honors. His professional basketball experience in Portugal adds a unique perspective to his training sessions. Our youth clients absolutely love his vibrant personality and eagerly look forward to training with him every day!
Accolades
SEC All Conference 2017-2018
Guard at DCTC 2018-2020
Valley CIty State 1st Team All NSAA 2022-2023
Professional Basketball Player
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Gaia, Portugal
Current JV/Varsity Coach at St. Paul Humboldt