By Kyle Coppola
From Selflessness to Greatness, Jordan Corman’s Work Ethic is Unrivaled
Jordan Corman
East Ridge High School basketball standout Jordan Corman is headed to Spain.
Jordan was selected by player development organization PhD Hoops USA to help the squad find gold this summer overseas.
“It came as a complete surprise to me that I was going to be representing PhD Hoops USA in Spain,” Jordan says. “I was nominated and got an email that said I would be playing. I was thrilled to get the opportunity and I can’t wait to represent the stars and stripes.”
Jordan, who was nominated to play for the U-18 team last year, recently finished his junior year and is looking forward to his senior season. But first, Jordan will embark on a big chapter in his life when he represents his country at one of the sport’s highest levels.
For those who know Jordan, it comes as no surprise that he was selected to represent the USA.
“His work ethic is unrivaled,” his father, Billy Corman, says. “He is committed and driven, but most of all he is unselfish.”
A look at Jordan’s assist total tells just how special he is. Jordan had three times as many dimes as the East Ridge player who is second in assists.
But Jordan is more than a great player.
“I look at who he has become as a person and am so proud of him and what he represents,” his mother, Katie Corman says. “Jordan works hard on and off the court. He has spent hours working towards saving money for this trip to Spain. He is fully invested in basketball and looking towards the future as well.”
Jordan, 18, knows what he wants for his future. He wants to play college basketball, but he’s also excited to get an education.
“I plan on becoming an entrepreneur. I plan to study business and own my own business ventures one day,” Jordan says. “That’s why I work so hard right now at everything I do. At the end of the day, a hard work ethic is going to benefit you down the road.”
Off the court, Jordan is involved in the Clermont community and surrounding areas. Jordan referees games, works concession stands and helps out as a custodian at Minneola Elementary Charter School.
“I utilize hard work as a motivating factor,” Jordan says. “The harder a person works the more things will pay off.”
Jordan draws inspiration from players such as Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. But he also tries to be his own player.
“I like watching those guys but at the end of the day, I have to be my own player and do what I can to help the team win games,” Jordan says.
He says he also draws inspiration from being an older brother to his younger sister, Mia Corman.
“I try to be a role model for her. She’s into basketball too and wants to beat all my records,” Jordan says. “It’s a friendly sibling rivalry between us. I want to show her the value of hard work. As the older brother I know I have to set a good example for her to follow.”
Mia, 11, enjoys watching her brother.
“I love the way he plays the game, being unselfish and always making those around him better players,” Mia says.
Jordan is quick to credit his coaches.
“I want to thank coach Joslyn Massey and coach Mark Borders, who had a tremendous impact on my life,” he says. “They helped me no matter if it was early in the morning before school at a shoot around or late at night. I have them to thank for a lot of the success that has come my way. I am very thankful to Principal Sherry Watts of Minneola Charter and East Ridge High School for everything they have provided me over the years.”
When asked what advice he would give young players, he says, “No matter what, you should never give up.”
“If you fail, get back up and do it again. Don’t give up and keep pushing forward and you will see results,” Jordan says. “Confidence is key. Without confidence, you contemplate things. I like to get things done the right way. Confidence is a key part of that. Once you establish confidence in yourself, you can accomplish anything.”
That includes playing the game you love overseas.
“This will be my first experience in Europe,” Jordan says. “I am excited to not only represent PhD Hoops USA but to see a whole new culture and experience things for the first time. They have excursions planned for the team and I can’t wait to experience that. I am also proud to represent Lake County, Florida. That means a lot to me.”
Jordan and high school student Brylan Adams, who will be representing the 15U team in Paris, have been fundraising to pay for their trip by selling kettle corn and pork rinds.
“Brylan is a great kid, and his grandfather Ray helps us out selling what we can on weekends to fund our dreams,” Jordan says. “Everyone’s path is different. And for us, I think doing this in a grassroots kind of way is going to make taking the court in Spain and Paris all the sweeter for us.”
Jordan is funding his dreams and working towards his goals. Greatness lies within him. No matter what he puts his mind to, whether it is basketball, business or life, Jordan Corman strives to be the best he can possibly be.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
