mission
One Finley Way Sports™ exists to provide athletes of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds the opportunity to learn, compete, and grow in a structured and positive basketball environment.
While skill development, fundamentals, and competitive excellence are core to our program, our purpose extends beyond the court. We are committed to developing the social, mental, and spiritual growth of every athlete we coach.
We believe the lessons learned through the game of basketball — discipline, accountability, integrity, humility, and teamwork — prepare young athletes to thrive not only in competition, but in life.
Our mission is simple:
Build better players. Build strong character. Build confident young men and women.
philosophy
Over the past 30+ years, I (Coach Mo) have been entrenched in the game of basketball. First as a player and now as a youth basketball coach. And while there is no substitute for experience, wisdom can be acquired if you’re willing to learn from the experiences of others.
At One Finley Way, we prioritize development over shortcuts.
We believe:
Fundamentals create long-term success.
Discipline builds confidence.
Preparation beats talent when talent is unprepared.
Team culture matters.
We do not rush development. We do not chase trends. We train with purpose.
Every session is structured.
Every drill has intention.
Every athlete is held accountable.
meet
Coach Mo Finley
“Talent opens the door.
Discipline keeps you in the room and elevates you on the court.”— Mo Finley
Mo Finley is a native of LaFayette, Alabama, where sports were woven into the fabric of community life. Growing up in a small southern town, he played every sport available, but basketball quickly became his passion.
After his senior year of high school, he earned a Division I scholarship to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). While at UAB, Mo maximized his opportunity both academically and athletically. He graduated Cum Laude with a B.S. in Psychology (2003) and a B.A. in Social Psychology (2004).
On the court, he left a lasting mark. Mo became UAB’s 5th all-time leading scorer, a two-time All-Conference USA selection, and the 2002–2003 Conference USA Scholar-Athlete of the Year for Men’s Basketball. He was also a member of UAB’s 2004 Sweet Sixteen team — one of the most memorable seasons in program history. Throughout his college career, he consistently earned recognition for academic excellence, including the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll, Dean’s List, and President’s List.
Following graduation, Mo pursued his dream of playing professionally. For ten years, he competed throughout Europe, gaining experience against elite competition while continuing to invest in young athletes during his offseasons as a camp counselor, motivational speaker, and individual skills trainer. In 2015, he founded One Finley Way Sports™ to assist kids in his local community offering basketball skills training and development.
Throughout his career, Mo has been blessed to compete against some of the best players in the world and to learn from some of the best minds in basketball. He currently serves on the UAB Hall of Fame Committee and is a board member of the Bartow Family Foundation. Through One Finley Way’s partnership with the foundation, he helps coordinate programming as Assistant Director of the Impact Basketball Life Skills Academy, which focuses on developing youth both on and off the court.
In 2021, Coach Mo began serving as the color analyst for UAB Men’s Basketball on ESPN+. He has since returned for multiple seasons and also provides analysis for UAB Women’s Basketball and select SEC Network broadcasts.
More than his accolades, however, Mo is known for his relationships. He believes coaching is not simply about teaching the game — it is about building trust, mentoring young athletes, and helping them grow into disciplined, confident leaders.
i followed a basketball
all around the world
Serbia & Montenegro - KK Mornar Bar Basket (2004 - 2005)
Larissa, Greece - Olimpia Larissa Basket (2005)
Liege, Belgium - BC Liege Basketball (2005 - 2007)
Rieti, Italy - Solsonica Rieti Basketball (2007 - 2008)
NBA Summer League Portland Trailblazers - Portland, Oregon (2008)
Siena, Italy - Montepaschi Siena Basket (2008 - 2009)
Milan, Italy - Armani Jeans Olimpia Milano (2009 - 2011)
Istanbul, Turkey - Fenerbahçe Ulker Basket (2012)
San Sebastian-Donostia, Spain - Lagun Aro GBC (2013)
Pau, France - Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez (2014 - 2015)
One Finley Way Sports™ established with its first two trainees. (2015)
mo-tivation
Motivation is the force that moves people to act.
In sports, in school, and in life — motivation matters. Highly motivated teams perform with greater focus, energy, and accountability. Highly motivated students and athletes raise their standard.
At One Finley Way™, Mo-tivation is more than a slogan — it’s leadership in action.
Mo Finley combines his background in elite athletics and psychology with real-world experience to connect with people in a way that is authentic and impactful. As a husband, father, former professional athlete, and educator at heart, he understands how to relate to individuals at every level — from youth athletes to leadership teams.
Over the last decade, he has spoken to and worked with teams, schools, and organizations across the country and internationally. His message centers on discipline, accountability, integrity, resilience, and relationship-building — the same principles that drive success on the court.
Mo doesn’t just motivate for a moment.
He equips people with tools to grow.
If your team or organization needs renewed focus, energy, and direction, Mo-tivation delivers a message that challenges, encourages, and inspires people to build better.
Interested in bringing Mo-tivation™ to your team or organization?
Click below to complete the interest form.
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”
— Arthur Ashe
