The Mission

Coach Kyle Clifford

At Hustle Hoops, my mission is to empower players to reach their full potential both on and off the court. Through dedicated training and personalized development, I focus on elevating each athlete’s game to the next level. I am committed to fostering growth as players and individuals, emphasizing strong work ethic, resilience, teamwork and character. Join me to transform your skills, achieve your goals, and embrace the hustle needed to excel in basketball and beyond.

​

​

​

​​​

As an experienced and dedicated basketball skills coach, I am committed to helping players reach their full potential. With a competitive personality, a mind with an attention to detail and a high-intensity coaching style, I focus on developing confidence and skills that translate to success on the court.

​

Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, I began my journey at St. Martin’s (now Notre Dame Academy) in South Buffalo before moving to West Seneca, where I attended Queen of Heaven School. My love for sports was clear from an early age and continued to grow throughout my time at St. Francis High School and later at Daemen University. Athletics have always been a core part of who I am and that lifelong passion still fuels everything I do today.

​

At St. Francis, I earned All-Catholic honors in soccer, basketball and track & field, setting the tone for a multi-sport collegiate career. At Daemen, I became a three-sport athlete, competing in soccer, basketball and track & field. On the soccer field, I finished my career as the program’s all-time leader in goals (30) and points (68), earning First Team All-Conference honors and later Second Team All-American recognition. I also continued developing my basketball game under legendary coaches Don Silveri and Mike MacDonald, eventually shooting over 41% from three and ranking among Daemen’s all-time top 10. In 2015, I helped lead the Wildcats to the program’s first USCAA National Championship and was named to the National Championships All-Tournament Team.

​

In 2025, I was inducted into the Daemen Athletics Hall of Fame, recognizing a collegiate career that spanned three sports and helped shape the competitor, coach and mentor I am today.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Health and Fitness (2014) and a Master’s in Athletic Training (2015), I joined Daemen’s athletic department professionally. There, I became the athletic trainer for the men’s soccer program and was named the university’s first-ever strength and conditioning coach.

​

But basketball remained my true passion—and since 2018, I have been building something special: a community. One built on high-level skill development, positive mentorship, and strong relationships with young athletes and their families.

​

In the Fall of 2024, Hustle Hoops was launched. What began as a dream has now become a thriving training resource for kids all over Western New York. From preschoolers to aspiring college players, Hustle Hoops is helping athletes fall in love with the process, focusing first on becoming disciplined, high-character individuals with big dreams, knowing that great basketball players are built from that foundation up.​

​​

No matter your age, experience, or goals, there’s a place for you at Hustle Hoops. We’re here to build confident athletes, strong character, and a lifelong love for the game. Let’s get to work!