Nate Schmidt (Iowa State): ‘We Will’ Player Development—Finishing, Live Reads, Shooting & Handle

Shooters Touch

Iowa State assistant coach Nate Schmidt joins the show to dig into modern player development: finishing at the rim, live-read decision making, building better shooters, and tightening the handle—anchored by his “We will” mindset. We also trace his climb from GA/video & player development roles to D1 assistant, G League/UNLV stops, and the Cyclones’ recent Big 12 and NCAA success.

Extended Show Notes

• Nate’s path & résumé: two stints at Iowa State, promoted to assistant in 2022; prior stops include Indian Hills CC, Wisconsin Herd (G League) video, and UNLV (Dir. of Player Development).

• Program results: During Schmidt’s recent years on staff, ISU posted a 95–45 record with four straight NCAA Tournament trips; 2024 Big 12 Tournament Champions and a Sweet 16 run.

• Philosophy shift: moving from block drills to random/constraint-led training so players make reads at game speed.

• Finishing at the rim: footwork progressions, finishing families (inside/outside, same-foot same-hand, veer/Euro), and using guided defense to create contact-balance solutions.

• Live reads: small-sided games to train advantage creation → advantage keeping → advantage finishing; 0.5-second decisions vs. scripted actions.

• Shooting: build a repeatable base, shot-prep and catch rhythm, variability (different passes/angles), and shot-quality rules inside actions (drift, shake, lift).

• Handle/pressure: constraints for weak-hand development, pickup points, and dribble economy tied to spacing rules.

• Mindset: Schmidt’s “We will” framing—language that reinforces capability and standards instead of focusing on what players “won’t” or “don’t” do.

• Practice design: layering film → on-air reps → contested reps → SSG with clear scoring constraints and touch limits to keep pace high.

• Staff collaboration: how player-dev slots into scouting, analytics, and culture under T.J. Otzelberger.

Nate Schmidt is an Assistant Coach at Iowa State, where he has contributed to four consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, the 2024 Big 12 Tournament title, and a Sweet 16. He previously served as UNLV’s Director of Player Development, Wisconsin Herd (NBA G League) Video Coordinator, Indian Hills CC assistant, and began his career at Iowa State as a GA/Coordinator of Player Development. His work emphasizes decision-making, skill transfer, and constraint-led training.

Connect with us @ShootersTouchIA

Bryan Claude hosts The Shooters Touch, spotlighting the people and ideas shaping Iowa basketball. A former head girls’ coach at Madrid—finishing with a program-best win total—he’s spent years running camps and skill sessions across the state at every level. Raised on the game in Algona and at Wartburg College, he carries that love into every episode. On the mic, Bryan brings a coach-to-coach lens to what actually transfers: finishing at the rim, live-read decision-making, shooting rhythm, and a tighter handle. With a coach’s eye and a teacher’s voice, he turns high-level concepts into simple, game-ready ideas players and coaches can use the next day.