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GET TO KNOW US

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Our Story

Dreamerz Academy, formerly Matter of Time Elite Hoops, is built on developing players beyond drills—focusing on confidence, discipline, and real-game performance. We train athletes through game-like situations to improve skill, decision-making, and overall growth on and off the court.

Our mission is to build skilled, confident, and disciplined players in a culture that challenges and supports them. Because it’s not just about the dream—it’s about the work behind it.

OUR COACHES

Meet the dedicated coaches at Dreamerz Academy who are committed to helping players reach their full potential. Click here to add your own text and edit me. I'm a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about our coaching staff.

Jeremy Ellis

Founder & Visionary 

Coach Joe Barber brings years of experience and a passion for the game to Dreamerz Academy. He is dedicated to creating a positive and growth-oriented environment for all players.

Coach Chuck Craft

14u Head Coach

Coach Kari Derenzi is an expert pitching coach, focusing on developing the skills and techniques of our aspiring pitchers. Her dedication to player development is unmatched.

Ronshad Shabazz

Founder & Program Director

Coach Carter Phelps brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our hitting program, mentoring players to excel in their hitting abilities and overall game performance.

COACH Montez Wilson

15u Head Coach

Coach Dusty Mendes ensures that our players have access to the best equipment and training tools, contributing to their success on and off the field.

Coach Anthony Worley

13u Head Coach

Coach Joe Barber brings years of experience and a passion for the game to Dreamerz Academy. He is dedicated to creating a positive and growth-oriented environment for all players.

Coach Deion Wall

10u Head Coach

Coach Kari Derenzi is an expert pitching coach, focusing on developing the skills and techniques of our aspiring pitchers. Her dedication to player development is unmatched.

Damon Day

9u Head Coach

Coach Carter Phelps brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our hitting program, mentoring players to excel in their hitting abilities and overall game performance.

Coach Carroll Lewis

11u Assistant Coach

Coach Dusty Mendes ensures that our players have access to the best equipment and training tools, contributing to their success on and off the field.

About Coach Ronshad Shabazz

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Ronshad Shabazz is the founder of Dreamerz Academy, a player development program built to help athletes grow in skill, confidence, discipline, and competitive mindset. Before becoming Dreamerz Academy, the program was known as Matter of Time Elite Hoops. As the vision grew, so did the mission — and that growth led to a new name that better reflects the long-term purpose of the program: helping players chase big goals, develop the right habits, and become who they are meant to be on and off the court.

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Coach Shabazz brings high-level playing experience, real coaching experience, and a deep passion for development. He played collegiately at Appalachian State, where he left as the school’s second all-time leading scorer with 2,067 career points and the program’s all-time leader in field goals made with 712. He was named All-Sun Belt three straight seasons, and his 47-point game at ULM remains one of the great scoring performances of that era. The Sun Belt noted that his 2,027 points ranked eighth in conference history at that point in his senior season.

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Today, Coach Shabazz serves as the head coach at Hibriten High School, where his impact has been about more than wins and losses. In his first season leading the program, Hibriten finished 3–22. In the following season listed on MaxPreps, the Panthers made a major jump to 19–9, showing the kind of turnaround that can happen when standards, accountability, and daily development become the foundation.

Alongside him, Coach Jeremy Ellis is a founding partner who shares the same vision for building something special in the Hickory area. Together, they are committed to elevating the standard of basketball through consistent work, discipline, and purpose. With hard work and dedication, they are focused on making this vision of high-level development in Hickory a reality.

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At the center of everything Coach Shabazz does is development. His training style emphasizes game-real skill work, decision-making, footwork, scoring reads, confidence, and discipline. He believes in pushing players out of their comfort zone, teaching them how to work with purpose, and building habits that carry over into real competition. Through Dreamerz Academy, his goal is not just to create better players, but to help shape tougher, more prepared, more confident young people.

Career Highlights

  • Former 4 Star Recruit

  • Huntington Prep Alumni

  • Founder of Dreamerz Academy

  • Formerly Matter of Time Elite Hoops

  • Head Coach, Hibriten High School

  • Former Appalachian State standout

  • 2,067 career points at App State — second in program history 

  • 712 career field goals made — App State record 

  • 3x All-Sun Belt selection 

  • 47-point game vs. ULM during senior season (Sun Belt Record Holder)

  • Led Hibriten from 3-22 to 19-9 in the next season

COACHING PHILOSOPHY 

Sports Center top 10 Play vs UNC Tar Heels

What players can expect?

At Dreamerz Academy, development comes first. Coach Shabazz believes players improve the most when they are challenged, held accountable, and taught how to think the game — not just drill the game. Every workout is designed to translate to real situations, with an emphasis on reads, pace, shot creation, ball handling, scoring efficiency, and confidence under pressure.

The standard is simple: work, discipline, growth, and consistency.

What You Get Training with Coach Shabazz

  • High-level skill development

  • Game-like reps and decision-making

  • Confidence building through real work

  • Detailed instruction and accountability

  • A competitive environment that pushes growth

  • A coach who cares about the person, not just the player

Dreamerz Story

From Matter of Time to Dreamerz Academy

Dreamerz Academy started as Matter of Time Elite Hoops — a name that reflected belief, patience, and the process of growth. As the program expanded, the mission became even clearer: build a culture that inspires players to dream bigger, work harder, and carry themselves with purpose. That evolution led to the Dreamerz Academy name, but the foundation stayed the same: real development, real relationships, and real standards.

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Cameron Indoor 2016


Train with Dreamerz Academy and be part of a culture built on development, accountability, and growth.

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VS DUKE AT CAMERON
VS NC STATE AT PNC
VS TENNESSEE
Chris Paul in Vegas 2014
Huntington Prep 2015
Charleston Classic VS Wichita State
CP3 Camp 2018

Our Sponsors

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