The Heart Behind the Shot: The Marvin Harvey Story

Marvin Harvey
Aug 3
2 min read

THE HEART BEHIND THE SHOT

Marvin Harvey is not the product of a strong basketball upbringing—or even a standout youth sports system. In fact, he never picked up a basketball seriously until he tried out for a college team. Just six years later, he was trying out for the NBA.

What sets Harvey apart is not how he started, but how he transformed. His journey is proof that the best teachers of the game are often those whose hearts are truly invested in their work.

A TEACHER FIRST

As Marvin dove into coaching, he quickly realized that teaching basketball required far more than teaching plays or systems. It demanded the ability to see potential—and a commitment to pull it out of others.

Basketball, he discovered, was not just a game; it was a life lesson in disguise. With a background in education and a minor in coaching, Harvey found the time and passion to pursue an in-depth study of why players miss open shots in real game situations.

This study evolved into a 20-year research project that began in 1982.

A LEGACY IN WRITING AND FILM

From this research came a remarkable body of work:

Instructional books on shooting
An internationally distributed shooting video
A widely used instructional shooting poster
A legacy of coaching NBA, WNBA, college, and high school players

Across the globe, from Shot Labs to coaching seminars, Marvin Harvey’s insights have left an indelible impact.

Thousands of athletes have carried the lessons they learned from Marvin into competition—and into life.

HIS APPROACH: HUMBLE, INNOVATIVE, HUMAN

Whether he’s working with a young athlete, coaching a team, or consulting with international coaches, Marvin’s approach remains the same:

Calm.
Creative.
Compassionate.
Centered on character.

He doesn’t try to save the world—he just tries to cheer it up.

A LIFE DEVOTED TO TEACHING

Before officially leaving the coaching world to focus entirely on teaching the fundamentals, Marvin gave everything he had to his players. And in return, he received something greater—purpose.

Today, every shooting session is more than a drill—it’s a moment of connection, guidance, and transformation.

Whether it’s:

The 7-Shooting DVD Series
His basketball journals
His books and instructional posters
Or simply his words…

The impact Marvin Harvey has made on students, athletes, and coaches can’t be measured by wins or banners. It’s measured in minds changed, confidence built, and futures redirected.