About
UNDRGRND develops the complete basketball player. We cater to multi-sport athletes through various participation opportunities. Our goal is to fine-tune skills, broaden knowledge of the game and create team players, all while encouraging participation in other sports. Ultimately, we are teaching our athletes that it takes hard work and dedication to compete on and off the court.
UNDRGRND basketball was founded by Stan Harlan as a partnership with Extra Pass Basketball. Stan fell in love with coaching in the 1990's while working at a Salvation Army community center gym in N.E. Portland. Specifically, he was drawn to mentoring troubled youth through the role of their coach. This passion allowed him to found a football program with the Police Activities League. He has worked as a high school football and basketball coach for Cleveland High School, Marshal High School, Grant High School, and Clackamas High school.
Throughout the years as a coach, father, and uncle of young athletes, Stan noticed an increasing trend of pushing athletes towards sport specialization at a young age. Due to the requirements of club, AAU, and elite teams, kids are forced to choose one sport and one sport only at an incredibly early age. Stan saw an ever increasing need for another option. Hence, the birth of UNDRGRND.
UNDRGRND allows athletes to train year round without a huge time commitment that is detrimental to their other sports. We believe that providing young athletes with an affordable opportunity to train with experienced coaches once or twice a week in the off-season is the key to their success. Additionally, athletes are given the option to compete with their team in select tournaments during the off-season. This approach allows for the development of a complete, multi-sport athlete.
What makes us different
UNDRGRND is committed to development of the COMPLETE athlete, which means we encourage our players to participate in other sports. Our training structure is designed to support this. There are multiple training opportunities in the summer months, as well training and playing opportunities in the fall and spring. Our younger athletes stay with us and fully commit during the competitive winter season, while our high school athletes play with their school team.
In addition to supporting the multi-sport athlete, UNDRGRND believes its important to support the athlete as an individual. We truly care about each one of our players and upon joining our program, you join our family. Doing what's best for the kids is ALWAYS the first priority!
Current Teams
Girls
3rd grade
4th grade
5th grade
6th grade
7th grade
8th grade
High School*
Boys
3rd grade
4th grade
5th grade
6th grade
7th grade
*Only during off-season
Coaching and Training Staff
Ben Andrews
Ben was an all-state basketball player at Portland’s Parkrose High School. After graduating from Parkrose in 1992, Ben received a Track & Field scholarship to the University of Oregon where he studied Sociology and History. While at the University of Oregon, Ben was 6-time PAC-10 finalist, 2-time All-PAC-10 Team, PAC-10 Runner-up, qualified for the NCAA Championships and provisionally qualified for the US Olympic Trials in his specialty, the 1,500 meter run. Ben was mentored by legendary coaches Bill Dellinger and Alberto Salazar. Ben uses the same philosophy that helped him become one of the United States fastest milers to teach basketball fundamentals and grow confidence.
Andre Best
Andre is an accomplished basketball player whose passion for the game has defined his life and career. Born and raised in Oregon, he first experienced the thrill of basketball as a young child, quickly developing a deep connection with the sport. He grew up playing in the competitive AAU basketball league, where his skill and leadership shone through as he led numerous successful teams.
Throughout his time at Oregon City High School, Andre was instrumental in guiding his team to victorious seasons. His tenacity on the court and dedication off it became defining features of his game, fueling his relentless pursuit of success. As a point guard, he emerged as a defensive powerhouse, showcasing an ability to both disrupt his opponents and run his team with tactical proficiency. After high school, Andre took his talents to Clackamas Community College, where he further honed his skills and developed as a player and a leader. His time at Clackamas culminated in an unforgettable journey to the NWACC final four, a testament to his hard work and strategic acumen on the court.
For the last three years, Andre has dedicated his life to rigorous training, tirelessly pushing his limits. His basketball journey is a testament to his resilience, determination, and love for the sport. A true team player, his defensive-minded approach and leadership qualities continue to inspire those around him, including our young UNDRGRND athletes.
Tony Erickson
Tony Erickson is the head skills trainer at UNDRGRND. Tony has been coaching and training athletes for 24 years. During this time, he's coached over 75 athletes who went on to play at the collegiate level, including our own Jen Reese and Renne Saechao. A few of Tony's athletes even went on to play in the WNBA!
Like many of our staff, Tony's love for basketball began as a player. He attended Central Catholic where he helped the school secure their only state championship for men's basketball. After playing at and graduation from Menlo College in California, Tony went on to coach at his high school alma mater. From there, Tony continued his coaching career as the head women's basketball coach at Portland Community College and with multiple national championship AAU teams.
Tony's training style focuses on fundamentals first. Athletes who train with him develop a strong, solid base of skills that translate to success on the court.
Kyle Laier
Kyle has over 15 years coaching experience at the youth, high school and collegiate levels. He started coaching recreational teams prior to forming an AAU team in Southwest Washington. He went on to serve as an assistant coach at Beaverton and Rex Putnam High Schools before becoming the head coach at Desert Hot Springs High School. His most recent coaching experience was as Associate Head Coach at Warner Pacific University where he was on a staff that led teams to the university's only conference championship and two trips to the national tournament. Kyle has also spent 19 years as a teacher and principal.
Jen Reese
Jen grew up playing basketball in the Clackamas area, attending Clackamas High School and was selected the 2010 Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year. Jen then went on to play at the University of Colorado, where she recorded an amazing 1,200 points and 686 rebounds! After graduating with a Bachelors in Communication, Jen returned home to coach high school girls basketball at her alma mater. Jen loves to teach young girls the value of hard work all while keeping it fun!
Jen is currently the head women's basketball coach at Reynolds High School in Troutdale, OR.
Jon Young
Coach Jon has been coaching youth sports for 8 years at all levels. His coaching philosophy is built on trust, selflessness, and effort. He believes trust is a key to developing young players and teams. Once trust is built, a player and team can fully commit and begin to deliver their best effort. This philosophy aligns well with the team-first approach of the UNDRGRND program.
As a player, Jon was an All-CIF state team selection in California his Junior and Senior season at Tracy High School. He then played for Coach Jim Hayford at Whitworth University of the Northwest Conference. At Whitworth, Jon set multiple school records in 3-point shooting, played in 2 NCAA Tournaments, won NWC defensive player of the year, and became the 22nd player in Whitworth Men's Basketball history to score over 1,000 career points.