About LakeShore Legends
LakeShore Legends is a development-driven basketball organization built on elite training standards, intentional teaching, and long-term athlete growth. We exist to develop complete basketball players—athletes who are skilled, disciplined, intelligent, and prepared to succeed both on and off the court.
Mission Statement
LakeShore Legends exists to develop complete basketball players through elite training, intentional teaching, and purposeful competition
Vision Statement
Our vision is to become a nationally respected basketball development program known for producing skilled, intelligent, and disciplined athletes who are prepared to succeed at every level of the game and beyond
Engagement Statement
We aim to set a new standard for youth basketball by embracing a training-first mindset. Our athletes are expected to show up prepared to compete and open to growth through adversity. Practices are demanding by design so that games feel simple.
As trainers and coaches, we emphasize leadership, effort, grit, energy, a never-quit mentality, discipline, and sportsmanship as foundational expectations within our program. It’s what turns our players into LEGENDS!
Core Principles
Leadership
Taking ownership of preparation, effort, attitude, and growth– both on and off the court
Effort
Competing with intention and purpose in every repetition, drill, practice, and game
Grit
Embracing adversity, remaining resilient, and continuing to work through challenges
Energy
Showing up committed & ready to go, day after day, regardless of circumstances
No Excuses
Maintaining focus, drive, and resolve in the relentless pursuit of long-term development
Discipline
Executing habits, decisions, and behaviors that support structure, growth, and team success
Sportsmanship
Approaching training, competition, teammates, and coaching with positivity, respect, and a willingness to learn
Program History
LakeShore Legends was founded in response to a growing gap in youth basketball—programs prioritizing wins and exposure over true player development. From the beginning, our focus has been clear: fewer tournaments, higher-quality training, and intentional preparation that translates to real improvement.
Our program was built by coaches with deep experience in AAU, high school, private training, and player development environments. We have grown deliberately, prioritizing structure, culture, and athlete outcomes over rapid expansion. The result is a program that remains selective, personal, and uncompromising in its standards.
Meet Our Coaches
Coaching Staff
Coach Gio Paganis
Coaching Bio
Coach Gio Paganis is a passionate basketball coach from Park Ridge, Illinois, and a Co-Owner of LakeShore Legends.
A former student-athlete and recent Master’s graduate from Purdue University, Coach Gio has spent over a decade refining his craft on the court, coaching and training athletes of all ages and skill levels. His coaching journey began at just 14 years old, and his experience has continued to grow through a wide range of competitive and developmental environments.
Most recently, Coach Gio has served as the Head Coach for Mundelein High School’s Frosh/Soph team and as an Assistant Coach for the school’s Varsity program. He also leads the Mundelein Jr. Mustangs feeder program, overseeing player development and team operations for the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade boys teams.
He has also previously held head coaching roles and leadership positions with Legacy Force AAU, Klondike Middle School, All In Athletics, and Harrison High School’s feeder basketball programs.
In addition to team coaching, Coach Gio is a dedicated skills development trainer. He currently serves as a shooting specialist for Park Ridge Elite Basketball and previously worked as a small-group trainer for Legacy Courts in Lafayette, Indiana.
Coach Gio is known for his attention to detail, player-first mentality, and commitment to helping athletes maximize their potential both on and off the court. Through LakeShore Legends, he aims to build a training-first environment rooted in discipline, basketball IQ, and long-term development. His ultimate goal is to coach at the collegiate level, continuing to instill values of accountability, sportsmanship, and high-level execution in the next generation of players.
Coach David Kay
Coaching Bio
David Kay is a NASM-certified trainer and basketball skills specialist with over 15 years of coaching and player development experience. He is a Co-Owner and Lead Skills Trainer for LakeShore Legends Basketball, where he leads a detail-driven training program built around skill mastery, decision-making, and real-game application.
David’s training philosophy goes beyond simply teaching how to perform a move. Athletes learn why the move works, when to use it, and how to apply it effectively in live competition. His sessions emphasize basketball IQ, efficiency, and purposeful repetition to ensure long-term development and confidence on the court.
As a coach, David has worked at the collegiate level, serving on the women’s basketball staff at Dominican University as an assistant coach beginning in 2019, and previously head coaching for the McHenry County College girls program. He has also held long-term development roles with Joy of the Game (11 years), All In Athletics in Deerfield, Illinois, and Lifetime Fitness.
A product of Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, David was a three-sport standout in basketball, baseball, and football before continuing his basketball career at Harper College and Quincy University.
Following college, David played professionally for seven years in multiple international leagues, including:
- NBL Canada – Moncton Mill Rats
- LNBP (Mexico) – Soles de Mexicali
- IBL – Oregon Wave
He continues to compete today in high-level men’s leagues, allowing him to stay closely connected to the modern game and the evolving demands placed on players.
David is deeply passionate about helping athletes maximize their potential, not only as basketball players, but as disciplined, confident competitors. His mission is to bring out the very best in every athlete he works with through structure, accountability, and elite training standards.
Facilities & Locations
LakeShore Legends trains at carefully selected facilities that support high-level development, skill repetition, and structured practice environments. Specific locations, schedules, and entrance instructions will be provided to registered families prior to each season or program cycle.
Benefits of Playing for LakeShore Legends
Access to experienced, college-level coaching and structured player development
Training-first model focused on long-term growth rather than short-term results
Smaller program size by design, allowing for more individualized attention
Purposeful competition that reinforces training outcomes
Clear standards, accountability, and consistent coaching philosophy
Strong basketball foundation for high school, college, and beyond