Chris Brickley grew up just like everyone else: He dreamed of making it big in the sports world, and he did just that, but not in the way he had planned.
The 38-year-old basketball trainer enrolled at the University of Louisville in January 2008 with the goal of going pro. But when he realized playing wasn’t his long-term future, Brickley turned to coaching, becoming a graduate assistant at Ole Miss (“it was tough,” says the Manchester, New Hampshire, native) and then an assistant at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Then, Brickley said, he couldn’t even get a high school coaching job in New Jersey, but “all of a sudden” he got an internship with the New York Knicks.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Chris Brickley says LeBron James has been working out with him for at least five years. (Chris Brickley)
However, during his time at MSG, he received the biggest promotion of his life, despite ignoring the locker room in which he worked.
Brickley said after Carmelo Anthony missed a game-winning shot during the preseason, he was told not to talk to him after the game.
But he went against public opinion and said, “It changed my life.”
“I played basketball, so I know what it’s like to miss a shot, so I told him how I felt,” Brickley said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. “The next day he came into my office and said, ‘I want him to be my trainer.'”
“It all happened so quickly,” Brickley said, “but I think that’s the power of a franchise player.”
Brickley said he owes “everything” to Anthony. “I don’t know what would have happened without him.” He also owes a lot to Phil Jackson, who he said was the only person he knew who wasn’t fired when he joined the team. Jackson later named Brickley the team’s director of player personnel.
Nearly a decade later, Brickley boasts more than three million followers on Instagram and has built friendships with some of the game’s biggest names.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant are just some of the All-Stars who train in the offseason at the gym in Manhattan’s Summit apartment building, which also hosted some high-profile celebrity games a few years back featuring the likes of Justin Bieber, Drake and Quavo, meaning it’s not just NBA stars who visit the Brickley in Midtown.
Kevin Durant trains at Chris Brickley’s gym. (Chris Brickley)
Famed basketball trainer has positive outlook for Bronny James’ NBA career
Brickley is a partner in BODY ARMOR and says he shares similar values with the hydration drinks company, which is why he’s been able to maintain relationships with some of the greatest basketball players of all time.
“Everything is real. Real ingredients, real flavors, and that translates to my brand. Being me, being real, being authentic, my brand aligns with BODY ARMOR,” Brickley said. “Ever since I was in the training world, my goal was always to be at the top, and I think BODY ARMOR’s goal is to be at the top. Both of our brands align. They did when I first signed with them, and they still align now.”
On the weekend in his hometown “Chris Brickley Day” A new court was constructed and there were plenty of giveaways available, including Puma sneakers and headphones.
While this isn’t exactly how Brickley envisioned his future as a basketball player, it’s still some comfort.
“My goal was to be LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird or whatever. I didn’t achieve that, but I never dreamed it would be what my life would be,” he said, “But I just keep working every day and hoping for the best.”
Brickley says he sits down and reflects on his journey “more often than you’d think,” but the work isn’t done yet.
LeBron James goes to Chris Brickley’s gym. (Chris Brickley)
Click here to get the FOX News app
Despite his large social media presence, Brickley plans to one day return to where it all began.
“I’m very hungry and motivated and I 100% plan on getting back into coaching in the future, maybe even in an executive position building an NBA team, which I think would be awesome…” Brickley said.
“Every summer I get job offers, but now I have an amazing partner like BODY ARMOR and nothing beats being in control of my day, my story and who I work with. It’s the best feeling in the world.”
Follow Fox News Digital X’s sports coverage,subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
