Nate Sanderson

Nate Sanderson brings more than 24 years of coaching experience to Nike Basketball Camps and is widely respected as a championship program builder and player development specialist in Eastern Iowa.

Sanderson has served as a head varsity coach at four Iowa high schools, leading programs at Louisa-Muscatine, Springville, Linn-Mar, and Mount Vernon High School. His teams have consistently improved under his leadership, highlighted by three state championships (Springville 2016 & 2017; Mount Vernon 2025), five appearances in the state semifinals, and a reputation for excelling in high-pressure environments.

At Mount Vernon, Sanderson inherited a program that won just one game the season prior to his arrival. In four years, he rebuilt the culture and competitive foundation, culminating in a 26–1 season and a Class 3A State Championship. His teams set numerous school and state tournament records, including offensive efficiency and defensive scoring averages, while developing multiple players who went on to compete at the collegiate level. He was recognized as the 1A Coach of the Year three times (2015, 2016, 2017) and 3A Coach of the Year in 2025.

Sanderson’s coaching success is rooted in a game-based approach to skill development and an emphasis on using basketball as a tool to develop the whole person. His practices and camps focus on decision-making, spacing, shooting, and competitive habits that translate directly to game performance, while also teaching confidence, leadership, and resilience. He is known for creating environments where athletes are challenged, supported, and empowered to grow both on and off the court.

Beyond the high school level, Sanderson has been deeply involved in coach education and leadership development. He previously served as Director of Product Development at Breakthrough Basketball, where he helped design nationally recognized training resources and spoke at coaching clinics across the country. He is currently an Executive Director of the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association, co-hosts the Coaching Culture Podcast, and regularly mentors high school and college coaches and athletes nationwide.

In addition to his on-court work, Sanderson holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and is currently pursuing a Professional Coaching Certificate through New Ventures West, with a focus on executive coaching for athletic coaches and athletes. During the 2025–26 season, he also served as a consultant and analyst for the Cornell College Women’s Basketball program.

Sanderson continues to stay connected to grassroots development by coaching youth basketball, including his own daughters, and by leading camps and clinics designed to build strong fundamentals and a lifelong love of the game.

Nike Basketball Camps directed by Nate Sanderson provide athletes with high-level instruction, competitive training, and a purpose-driven approach to development, helping players become better basketball players — and better people.