Coach Mike Chalas

  • Coach Mike Chalas will start the 24'-25' season as the new Assistant Coach at Gannon University. Prior to Gannon, Coach Chalas was an Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development at Nova Southeastern University. During his three seasons at NSU, Coach Chalas took part in creating history for the program. Only being part of 4 losses and 99 wins in three seasons. In his stint covering 2021-24’, Coach Chalas helped the Sharks achieve three consecutive Sunshine State Conference regular season and tournament titles, three straight NCAA South Region Championships (features that never happened before in school history). In addition to helping NSU reach back-to-back National Championship Final games. Winning its first NCAA Division II National Championship 2022-2023 in program history.

  • Coach Chalas envisions to build a player that is a whole athlete. That curates to the player’s physical attributes as well as the mental. That allows them to maximize their potential as an athlete and as a human being.

    Through this Coach Chalas assisted developing two back to back National Players of the Year, three All-Americans, two back to back SSC Players of the Year, and a SSC Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in program history.

    Due to the landscape of today’s college basketball industry, it must be taken into account the jumps that players are taking from school to school. Player development is at the core for Coach Chalas and company. In his tenure thus far at NSU, Coach Chalas has helped develop 5 players that have transitioned to play at the D1 level.

  • Coach Chalas has had the privilege to develop players internally that have gone on to have professional basketball careers. But Coach Chalas is not limited to just the Sharks. His focus on developing players at all levels has transcended him to be sought out by pros at every level; NBA, G-League, FIBA, BSN (Puerto Rico), LNB (France), ASEAN (Hong Kong), ENBL (Beligum), and BNXT (Europe).

    Coach Chalas is big on being great at what you have to do most. His experienced eye dissects nuances often overlooked, shaping raw potential into refined mastery. Beyond the Xs and Os, He cultivates an unwavering work ethic, nurturing discipline and mental fortitude. His mentorship extends far beyond the court, he has an innate ability to connect with others which allows him to foster a relationship of growth, not just in skill, but in character, unlocking a player’s full potential.

Greatness is in the details not in platforms.

  • A couple of paragraphs isn't enough for what Coach Chalas meant to me as a player, and still means to me as we continue our friendship and journey alongside each other in the Coaching profession. He embodies everything you want a Coach and mentor to be. Every time we were in the gym, we went in with a purpose. His ability to study my game in a short amount of time and attack my strengths and weaknesses was what took my game to the next level. His unwavering dedication and commitment to not only me but also my teammates is a huge reason that NSU Basketball is 67-1 in his tenure as an Assistant. Being able to see Coach Chalas on the other side only furthers my respect for him as a Coach and human being. He does everything for the purpose of not only enhancing the skills of each players game, but also teaching life skills and how to respect others around you. I have seen him train numerous amount of professionals alongside of hundreds of kids in the community. His demeanor and hunger doesn't change an ounce no matter who he is training in the gym. He has built a family like atmosphere with his kids at SBA and it has been special to watch. In such a competitive field of "developmental training" in South Florida, I truly believe he is one of one when it comes to developing the youth in the community. He makes everyone around him 1% better each day.

    Nick Smith (DII National Champion Coach; Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Nova Southeastern University)

  • As his former college coach, I have had the unique lens of watching Mike Chalas develop as a collegiate student-athlete and then naturally transition into his coaching career where he passionately began his build of Synergy Basketball Academy. As the Associate Head Coach at Nova Southeastern University, we were left with a vacancy on our coaching staff and were looking to hire someone to enhance player development both on and off the court. Mike was the first and only phone call we made. His professionalism, high level of character, and the passion he has for holistic development is second to none. I think what separates Coach Chalas from others is his selfless and genuine nature of wanting to see others grow and develop not just as players, but also as people. Mike is consistent, practical, uniquely able to connect, and has high level of IQ and feel for the game of basketball. Mike has developed from one of my players into a colleague, friend, and now family. Coach Mike Chalas and Synergy Basketball Academy has my highest stamp of approval for anyone looking to grow and develop as a basketball player.

    Jordan Fee (DII National Champion Coach; Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Florida Atlantic University)

  • I am incredibly fortunate to have crossed paths with Mike Chalas, a remarkable basketball coach who stands out with his unparalleled dedication and meticulous approach. Mike's genuine care for his players and his unwavering attention to detail truly set him apart in the world of coaching. Mike's prowess in skill development is second to none. Whether it's a young aspiring athlete or a seasoned NBA player, anyone under his guidance is bound to see significant improvement in their game. His understanding of various in-game situations and his ability to deconstruct them to their fundamental components is truly remarkable. What truly makes Mike exceptional goes beyond the court. His ability to infuse positivity into any situation and provide valuable insights is a testament to his character. His capacity to connect with his athletes on a personal level, offering guidance not just in basketball but in life, showcases his holistic approach to coaching. Having Mike in your corner for your basketball journey is unequivocally a no-brainer. His presence is an asset that translates into on-court excellence and personal growth. I'm proud to endorse Mike Chalas, a coach whose impact goes well beyond the game itself.

    Yoni Afework (Video Coordinator - Phoenix Suns)

  • Coach Mike has many exceptional qualities and being on time is the first thing I personally realized. And I don’t mean opening the door at the time we scheduled; I mean coach Chalas was ready to go with everything set up before our scheduled workout, every single day! Once we started working out, he made sure every rep was done correctly. The attention to detail whether it’s analyzing your body movement, foot work, pace, etc., was second to none. He’s not just the type of coach that will give you a drill and let you go through motions without maximizing every rep. Most importantly, he truly cares about you as a person which definitely translates to genuinely wanting to help you get better!

    Angel Rodriguez (Former University of Miami standout guard. Puerto Rican basketball legend. Coming into his 8th season playing professional basketball.)

  • Workouts with Coach Mike are specific and intentional. The growth I saw in my game during the off-season was tremendous. My skillset and confidence grew over the summer in areas of my game that I specifically explained to Coach Mike I would like to improve. He takes player development very seriously and his teaching/application of the game in real situations makes the transition to live play realistic. The family environment he brings, as well as friendship outside of basketball, are two important elements that I really appreciate.

    Michael Akuchie (Former Youngstown State University standout Forward. Coming into his 2nd season playing professional basketball.)

  • Mike's basketball knowledge, work ethic and attention to detail have always impressed me. He based a program specifically around my game and areas I needed to improve on. He put me in game like situations every time we trained and I noticed immediate improvement as a result of my time with him. He has helped me add to my game and reach career goals that I set for myself. I highly recommend his training to anyone who is serious about improving and maximizing their potential.

    Maurice Kemp (Former East Carolina standout Forward. Coming into his 10th season playing professional basketball.)