As the bright lights of the NBA season dim and the echoes of the playoffs fade, many fans assume their favorite players are off on beaches or lounging in luxury. But for the league’s most dedicated athletes, the grind never truly stops. While the spotlight may shift, the hunger to get better intensifies behind the scenes. And if youâve been paying attention to the workouts coming out of Chris Brickleyâs gym (@cbrickley603), you already know: some of the leagueâs biggest stars are putting in that offseason work đĽ.
The Gym Where Legends Are Built
Chris Brickley is no stranger to the NBA grind. A former Knicks development coach turned elite NBA trainer, heâs now one of the most trusted names in player development. His New York-based gym has become the go-to spot for some of the leagueâs brightest stars and rising talents, who flock there every offseason to refine their skills, reshape their bodies, and prepare for the battles ahead.
From All-Stars to rookies, Brickley’s sessions are legendaryânot just for their intensity, but for how theyâre customized to each player. There are no generic drills here. Every move, every shot, every sweat-soaked session has a purpose.
And if recent footage is any indication, this offseason is turning up the heat.
Stars on the Rise
Videos surfacing on Brickley’s Instagram have showcased a whoâs who of NBA talent putting in work, often before the sun is even up. Among the standouts: New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, Oklahoma Cityâs rising star Jalen Williams, and 2024 Rookie of the Year candidate Scoot Henderson.
Brunson, coming off a career year where he averaged over 28 points per game and led the Knicks to the playoffs, is seen perfecting footwork, tightening his handle, and working on shooting under heavy pressure. His improvement since joining the Knicks is no accidentâitâs been built brick by brick in the gym during the summer months.
Scoot Henderson, meanwhile, is focusing on body control and shot creation, working to silence critics after a rocky start to his NBA career. Under Brickleyâs watchful eye, heâs improving his pace, learning to manipulate defenders, and expanding his shooting rangeâall crucial tools for a modern point guard.
And Jalen Williams? Heâs looked locked in. The second-year wing from OKC is polishing a midrange game to complement his already explosive athleticism and perimeter defense. In the footage shared, heâs calmly drilling contested pull-ups and showing signs of being ready to make the leap next season.
Behind the Scenes: The Work You Donât See
The truth is, social media shows only a fraction of whatâs happening. Those 30-second clips of buttery jumpers or ankle-breaking moves? Theyâre the highlight reel. The reality is hours of sweat, missed shots, corrections, adjustments, and repetition. The real growth happens when the cameras are offâwhen no oneâs cheering and no one’s watching.
Brickleyâs philosophy is simple: outwork the competition before the season begins. His sessions arenât about flashâtheyâre about mastering fundamentals, pushing limits, and building habits that translate under the pressure of real NBA minutes.
Thatâs why players trust him. He doesnât sugarcoat. He tells stars where they need to improve and holds them to it. And year after year, the results speak for themselves.
Building More Than Skills
But itâs not just about basketball. The offseason grind is mental, too. Players use this time to reset, refocus, and rebuild their confidence. In many ways, Brickleyâs gym becomes a sanctuary for playersâa space where they can block out the noise, tune into their goals, and get back to the roots of why they started playing in the first place.
This summer, the vibe is clear: hunger.
Whether it’s a rookie trying to earn minutes or a veteran chasing a ring, the energy is all the same. Everyoneâs chasing greatnessâand it starts now.
What This Means for the Upcoming Season
What weâre witnessing is the foundation of next seasonâs breakout stars and MVP candidates. The league doesnât wait for anyone, and the margins between âgoodâ and âgreatâ are razor thin. The players who take this time seriously often separate themselves when it matters most.
Remember Julius Randleâs leap in 2021? He spent that offseason grinding with Brickley. The same goes for Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, and even Carmelo Anthony during his late-career resurgence.
Now, weâre seeing that same fire in a new generation. The footage tells a story: the next wave of superstars isnât waiting for greatness to comeâtheyâre chasing it in the shadows of the offseason.
A Culture of Commitment
In an era where social media can glamorize the lifestyle of an NBA star, itâs refreshing to see players doubling down on what really matters. The work. The sweat. The grind that no camera can capture. Thatâs what separates the elite from the rest.
Chris Brickley continues to be the bridge between talent and transformation. His gym is where reputations are built, where confidence is forged, and where stars take the next step in their journey.
So the next time you see a player light up the court in October, rememberâthey didnât just show up that way.
They were putting in that offseason work đĽ
(via @cbrickley603)
