SPIRE Academy: Shaping Future Stars in Sports and Beyond
SPIRE Academy, founded in 2009, has rapidly transformed from a boarding school into a talent-production hub, nurturing student-athletes who have achieved success at the collegiate and professional levels. With a focus on integrating professional training, education, and competition across various sports, SPIRE is committed to unlocking each individual's full potential. The academy's approach, known as the "SPIRE Way," emphasizes the development of strong minds, strong bodies, and strong character. This holistic approach has led to the emergence of notable alumni who are making their mark in the world of sports and beyond.
Commitment and Achievement
SPIRE Academy held its annual graduation ceremony, celebrating the achievements of its graduating seniors. The ceremony featured speakers, including senior speaker Autumn Taylor, keynote speaker Bobby Kaleal, and a student-selected teacher speaker. The ceremony also included the announcement of awards, with Christian Burnett being named Class Valedictorian. The Innovation Award was given to junior Ani Singh, and the Resilience Award went to Ramiyah Byrd. Seniors also made their college commitment announcements, marking a culmination of years of dedication and hard work.
Pioneering the Future of Sports Training
SPIRE Academy CEO Steve Sanders envisions the Spire Performance Research Institute (SPRI) as a training ground for the next generation of leaders in sports business. SPRI aims to enhance the student experience by pairing international students with technology to foster athlete innovation and impactful research in youth athletics. Sanders believes that SPRI can help the entire ecosystem by producing more data and fostering advances in athletes’ performance, recovery, and preparation.
With the increasing financial investment in youth sports, SPRI seeks to provide more support to young athletes. Sanders noted that families' spending on their child's primary sport had increased significantly since 2019. SPRI aims to fill the gap in athletic support by offering sport-centric career pathways for students. Sanders emphasizes that not all student-athletes will play professionally, but the connections they make at SPIRE can lead to opportunities in the sports industry.
Notable Basketball Alumni
SPIRE Academy's basketball program has produced several notable alumni who have gone on to achieve success in college and professional basketball.
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LaMelo Ball
LaMelo Ball, a star player for the Charlotte Hornets, is one of SPIRE Academy's most prominent basketball alumni. Ball enrolled at SPIRE in 2018 and recorded 20 points, 13 assists, and five rebounds in his debut game. In the 2024-2025 season opener, he scored 34 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists in a win over the Houston Rockets, becoming the first player in franchise history to achieve at least 30 points and 10 assists in a season-opening game. In 2021, the NBA announced its 2020 -2021 Rookie of the Year award to LaMelo Ball. The third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, Ball excelled during his rookie campaign, where he averaged 15.7 points, 6.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.59 steals in 51 games. A former SPIRE student athlete, Ball won the award with 84 first-place votes, far ahead of the 15 received by runner-up, Anthony Edwards.
Isaiah Jackson
Isaiah Jackson, a power forward for the Indiana Pacers, also played at SPIRE Academy. He then played for the University of Kentucky, where he recorded seven points, 12 rebounds, and a career-high eight blocks against Kansas. Jackson averaged 8.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game as a freshman before being drafted into the NBA in 2021.
Jalen Pickett
Jalen Pickett was selected 32nd overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 2023 NBA draft and currently plays for Denver. Pickett played high school basketball for the Aquinas Institute, averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game as a senior. He played college ball at Siena College before transferring to Penn State. On February 14, 2023, he scored a career-high 41 points in a victory over Illinois, becoming Penn State’s first 40-point scorer since 1961.
Dominick Welch
Dominick Welch, a Buffalo native, played at SPIRE Academy before committing to St. Bonaventure University. He played in 110 games and was named team captain. Welch earned NIT All-Tournament honors in his senior year. He later enrolled at the University of Alabama and played professionally for UBSC Graz, the Buffalo Xtreme, the Montréal Toundra, and the KW Titans.
Mark "Rockett" Watts
Mark "Rockett" Watts played at SPIRE Academy alongside LaMelo Ball. He had previously played at Allen Academy and Old Redford Academy in Detroit. In January 2019, Watts scored a career-high 64 points in a win. He committed to play college ball for Michigan State, where he scored a season-high 21 points in a win against Illinois. Watts later transferred to Mississippi State.
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Keynan Davis
Keynan Davis (The Citadel, Division I) has recently secured a starting position, averaging 5 points and 20 minutes per game.
Alex Green
At the Division III level, SPIRE alumni continue to shine, with Alex Green (Penn State Beaver) averaging an extraordinary 34 minutes, 14 points and 5 rebounds per game. Moreover, being named team captain as a freshman is a testament to Green’s leadership qualities.
SPIRE Academy Overview
SPIRE Academy is a college preparatory school for grades 9-12, with a post-graduate program. The academy has an enrollment of 226 students and a rolling application deadline. The yearly tuition for boarding students is $68,800. SPIRE's curriculum is designed with the progressive learner in mind, focusing on project-based learning and cross-curricular activities. SPIRE is accredited by The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) and The Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).
SPIRE Academy boasts an 850-acre campus and an average class size of 12 students. The student-teacher ratio is 10:1. The school offers 9 AP / Advanced Courses.
A Foundation for Success
SPIRE Academy aims to empower young adolescents as engaged citizens of a complex global society. By aligning academics and athletics, SPIRE supports students in achieving their goals, whether collegiate, professional, or Olympic. SPIRE alumni often reflect on their time at the academy as formative, both personally and professionally. The academy's commitment to unlocking individual potential is evident in the achievements of its alumni.
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