Donovan Dent has moved back to Albuquerque and is now dedicating his time to shaping the next generation of basketball players. After a career that took him from UNM to UCLA, where he earned Mountain West Player of the Year honors, Dent is focusing on training youth and sharing the lessons he learned on the court.
Back to the Court
The former Lobo is hosting a pop‑up skills clinic on Monday for kids in third through twelfth grade, offering a fast‑paced introduction to fundamentals. In mid‑July he will run a more in‑depth Donovan Dent Basketball Camp, designed to deepen participants’ understanding of body control and balance.
Dent’s approach emphasizes the little details that separate good players from great ones. He believes that mastering balance and body awareness at a young age builds a solid foundation for future success, and his sessions reflect that philosophy.
TBT Tournament Commitment
This summer Dent will also compete in The Basketball Tournament (TBT), fielding a squad largely composed of former UNM Lobos. As captain of "The Enchantment" team, he will lead the effort to translate his training insights into on‑court performance.
Joining him on the roster are familiar faces such as Brandon Mason and Bella Hines, both of whom share Dent’s vision of using the tournament as a platform to showcase the talent emerging from New Mexico’s basketball community.
Off the court, Dent is living with his girlfriend Katelyn Estrada, a UNM medical school student, who provides steady support as he balances his athletic ambitions with personal life.
Dent’s journey has been marked by consistent growth, from his early days at the Richard Pitino summer camps at UNM to his standout season at UCLA. Now back in Albuquerque, he is channeling that experience into mentorship, aiming to leave a lasting impact on the local basketball scene.