Community Highlights: Meet Isaiah Thomas of Zaychrisbasketball LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaiah Thomas.

Hi Isaiah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started as an athlete, pursuing entrepreneurship along the way. Eventually, I became what I like to call an “Athletepreneur”—someone who blends athletics with business.
Even while playing basketball, I found myself stuck in an oppressive mindset. It was as if I couldn’t break through mentally, even though I had the physical abilities.
I’ve always professed in Jesus Christ but still struggled to find purpose. I knew I wanted to inspire others, but for a long time, I didn’t know how. I had dreams, like winning an NBA championship, but I realized my true purpose was much more profound.
I played for one year in college, but I felt called to pursue Jesus differently during that time. I desired peace, but I struggled with anxiety. That’s when God stepped in and showed me He had something better for me—John 10:10 spoke to me during that season.
It all started with my pursuit of peace and purpose. I fell in love with God’s plan for my life, and beginning in 2020, I committed to seeking my true calling. That led me to become a YouTuber, skills coach, writer, and designer.
I knew I had talents beyond just playing basketball. I discovered I could teach the game, write my thoughts into books, and even design clothing representing my values. I also saw the gaps within the athletic community and wanted to fill them.
It takes courage and introspection. Here’s some free game: You must look within to build a meaningful business. True success comes from working from the inside out, not just chasing external rewards.
I want to keep inspiring, creating, and helping others find peace and purpose through faith, athletics, and entrepreneurship.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building a business is no joke—there are many moving parts, especially if you’re an LLC or a sole proprietor.
So much goes into social media posting, scheduling clients, managing finances, answering emails, and creating content—all while staying creative and innovative. It’s a huge task. There’s a cost to it for sure, and it reminds me of Luke 14:28, where it talks about counting the cost before
a builder builds a tower. Balancing/delegating while staying hands-on is tough I have help, but that doesn’t mean I’m entirely hands-off. Honestly, I’m not sure if I’ll ever be. The business you build can feel like your baby, and learning to trust others—especially those God has gifted—is a challenge. But like Matthew 19:26 says, with God, all things are possible. I’m learning to release some control while still maintaining my vision.
I’m a skills coach specializing in body mechanics and angles.
I train athletes in dribbling, shooting, passing, and IQ development. If they need help in any area, I cover it. What sets me apart is my detailed approach to skills training and the introspective wisdom I share with my athletes. I’m most proud of how I started—sticking to integrity and not taking shortcuts that could have compromised my character. Philippians 4:13 (AMP) speaks to that strength and perseverance.
I have a training system that I call the In Spirit and Truth initiative
It systematically builds athletes, helping them translate skills from practice to actual games. The way I teach angles makes them unstoppable. But beyond the physical aspect, I provide spiritual wisdom from scripture and my own experiences to help them succeed on and off the court.
Also, I believe in helping athletes build businesses that honor God and create lasting wealth for generations. Whether they’re still playing or have retired, they should have the tools to generate income. It’s about using their gifts wisely on the court and in business.
Count the cost, trust God’s plan, and be willing to grow. Success isn’t just about talent but discipline, faith, and wisdom. And never be afraid to build something bigger than yourself.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I offer a variety of holistic methods to help motivate athletes to grow in spirit, in truth, and their game.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Like I’ve said before, at least for me, you might have to spend a little money to connect with your community.

Attending events specific to my niche has worked well for me. I’ve invested in mentorship programs, online courses, and other opportunities to meet people and learn new things.

You can network well through Instagram, YouTube, and other social media platforms, but in-person events are my favorite. There’s something about feeling the energy in the room—it rubs off on you. In-person networking is therapeutic, fulfilling, and incredibly effective. That’s not to say online networking isn’t valuable—online mentorship has changed my life—but I love being face-to-face, even though it can be pricey.

The free networking events I’ve attended have been centered around my niche—basketball games, book signings, church gatherings, and pop-up shops.

Networking should feel effortless. Go into it to build genuine friendships. If your only goal is business, you might miss out on excellent connections.

You need friends and people with whom you can genuinely vibe within your niche. The wealthiest opportunities will come from serving, helping, and being present. When the right moment comes, go for it—like how athletes attack their opportunities with coaches.

Ask questions, hand out your business card, and, most importantly, enjoy the process.

Don’t be anxious. Be at peace. You love what you do and don’t have to fit into a perfect mold. You don’t need to speak flawlessly, use fancy hand gestures, or have the firmest handshake. Those things are great, but don’t overthink it.

What’s meant for you won’t pass you by. And if it does, God will bring another opportunity your way.

Networking is powerful. It expands your reach and gives valuable feedback about yourself—things you need to grow and learn.

Be yourself. Have strong, healthy convictions. Make friends. To have friends, you must first be friendly.

Don’t be a shark. The idea in entrepreneurship is that you must get what you want at any cost—doing X to force Y to happen. That’s a scarcity mindset. Instead, be loving, supportive, and focused on serving others.

You’ll get the best spiritual and practical results if you don’t try to force things. Prepare for networking opportunities, but once you’re in the moment, let go and trust God.

The best relationships—whether friendships, colleagues, coworkers, or mentors—come naturally. Be open to what God is doing while standing firm in the convictions He’s already placed in you.

Be diligent, but be honest.

That’s how you find a mentor and build real connections.

Pricing:

• Off Season NBA/NCAA Private Training Package $1250 (One Time)
• Summer Group Training $900 (Monthly) Package
• My Newest Book $20 (One Time)
• Merchandise (Starts At) $27

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zaychrisbasketball.com/products/an-athlete-s-most-pressing-need
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isaiahcthomas/
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/yPvVp0lqH6s
• Other: https://zccollections.com/collections/cartoon-collection