Monet Poole made her son Jordan do 10 push-ups every time he missed a free throw. This tough-love approach helped transform him into the NBA star he is today, with a $15 million contract. She balanced her work as a social worker and case manager with raising four children who each followed their own athletic dreams.

Her influence reaches way beyond her son Jordan’s success with the Washington Wizards. She showed how an athletic background and dedicated parenting can shape professional success through her constant presence at courtside games and unwavering emotional support. This mother’s story serves as a blueprint that turned her family’s athletic legacy into remarkable achievements.

The Making of a Basketball Mother

Monet Poole, 50 years old, built her athletic roots long before her son became an NBA sensation. Her basketball mom experience started during her high school days at Washington High School in Milwaukee. She played multiple sports, which later became crucial to guide her children’s athletic pursuits.

Monet’s own athletic background

Monet graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1996. She managed to keep her sports involvement alive through college, where she met Anthony Poole. Anthony’s background as a former athlete and AAU coach went together with Monet’s sports-focused parenting style.

After college, Monet worked as a social worker and case manager at Milwaukee’s Eisenhower Center. Her social work experience taught her empathy and helped her see things from different points of view—qualities that would boost her parenting skills.

First encounters with basketball

Sports came naturally to the Poole family, with Anthony coaching their kids early on. Jordan’s first basketball game especially stood out in Monet’s memory. She remembers it clearly: “We get into the gym and he hits a three-pointer. I’m thinking yeah, good job. But then four three-pointers in, I’m like this is crazy. This was the first year he played organized basketball”.

Monet and Anthony raised four children—Anthony Jr., Alexandria, Jordan, and Jaiden. They made sure each child could develop their unique talents. Their daughter Alexandria took up basketball too and played at Lewis University.

Recognizing Jordan’s potential

Monet never doubted her son’s basketball future. “I always knew he was going to be here. I always knew, someway, somehow, that he was going to be here,” she said during an interview. This belief shaped how she helped develop Jordan’s skills.

Jordan’s excellent free-throw shooting came from his mom’s creative training method. He gives her full credit: “Compliments to my mother. She told me at a very, very young age, how am I missing free throws when there’s no one guarding me?”

She made him do 10 push-ups for every missed free throw. Jordan admits, “I was very skinny at the time, so obviously, we’re not trying to do many push-ups”. This simple but powerful approach sharpened his skills and built the discipline that became his professional trademark.

Monet Poole’s Unique Parenting Approach

Jordan Poole’s success story wouldn’t be complete without his mother’s unique approach to parenting. His mother Monet Poole developed a systematic way to blend high expectations with constant support.

The famous free-throw training method

Monet’s clever free-throw training method remains her most notable contribution to Jordan’s growth. “How am I missing free throws when there’s no one guarding me?” she would ask young Jordan. She created a system where he had to do 10 pushups for each missed shot. Jordan remembers this time well: “I was very skinny at the time, so obviously, we’re not trying to do many push-ups.” This simple yet effective approach helped Jordan become an elite free-throw shooter in the pros.

Instilling discipline and work ethic

Monet laid the groundwork for accountability and perseverance early. Jordan spent two to three hours in the gym each night because his mother expected excellence. Anthony Poole observed his son’s dedication: “He will stay in the gym and he’s a perfectionist when he wants to work on his craft.” This work ethic came from Monet’s well-laid-out approach to practice and growth.

Balancing tough love with emotional support

The heart of Monet’s strategy balanced high standards with genuine encouragement. She stayed by the court throughout Jordan’s career. Her presence challenged him while offering vital emotional support during tough moments. Research shows that successful athletic parenting combines high expectations with emotional safety. This lets young athletes redefine their limits without fearing punishment for honest mistakes.

Raising four children with different paths

Monet used her parenting principles with all four children, each following their own path. The Poole children include Anthony Jr. (who attended Marquette University), Jordan (NBA player), Alexandria (former college basketball player at Lewis University), and Jaiden (who studied Business Administration at Winona State University). Together with her husband Anthony, she built a home where academic and athletic dreams flourished. Their family thrived through a perfect mix of healthy competition and unconditional support.

Behind Jordan Poole’s NBA Success

Monet Poole has watched her son’s professional basketball career unfold from NBA arenas to living room screens. Her son Jordan’s path took him from Rufus King High School to Michigan and finally to the NBA. Through it all, Monet’s influence shaped his career significantly.

Monet’s courtside presence

The Pooles, Monet and Anthony, have “front-row seat to the ‘Poole Party’ since day one.” Their constant presence at games gives Jordan significant emotional support during intense moments. These dedicated parents travel regularly to watch their son compete at the highest level. Their encouragement means much more than simple cheers from the stands.

Anthony’s words about Jordan’s NBA career reflect their family’s deep belief in his abilities: “I always knew he was going to be here. I always knew, someway, somehow, that he was going to be here.” This confidence shows in Jordan’s self-assured playing style on the court.

Guiding through fame’s challenges

Jordan’s NBA experience came with its share of hurdles. The whole ordeal with teammate Draymond Green tested Jordan’s resilience significantly. Monet stood behind the scenes, giving vital emotional support throughout this challenging time.

Jordan stayed professional in public, simply stating, “He apologized, and we plan on handling ourselves that way.” Monet’s guidance helped him direct this difficult situation effectively. Her social worker background gave her unique insights into helping Jordan process and respond to this complex dynamic.

Steve Kerr, Jordan’s coach, later admitted that “some trust was lost” within the team after the incident. In spite of that, Jordan’s performance remained strong despite these interpersonal challenges.

Keeping her son grounded

Monet taught Jordan to “be respectful, but challenge the norms.” This promoted a sense of individuality that helps him handle fame’s pressures. She emphasized staying “comfortable in his own skin,” which helped Jordan stay true to himself in the spotlight.

Jordan’s disciplined approach to free throws shows Monet’s lasting influence. His detailed routine—”There’s a nail in middle [of the line], go, spin the ball, my right foot touches the nail, even myself out, spin, one dribble, spin, shoot”—proves how deeply her teachings remain part of his professional game.

Monet’s impact goes beyond basketball skills. She continues to guide Jordan through professional sports’ complexities with the same wisdom that molded him during childhood.

Family Values in the Poole Household

The Poole family’s Milwaukee home was more than a gathering place. They created an environment where values, education, and individuality thrived. Monet’s pragmatic nature and Anthony’s coaching mindset built a framework. Their approach produced not just an NBA star, but four successful, well-rounded individuals.

Education first mentality

Monet Poole’s parenting philosophy centered on her steadfast dedication to education. All but one of these Poole children went to different universities. Anthony Jr. chose Marquette University, Jordan picked the University of Michigan, Alexandria earned a Communication degree from Lewis University, and Jaiden studied Business Administration at Winona State University. Their academic focus mirrored Monet’s own path. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1996 and became a social worker.

Monet pushed her children to be curious learners. “My mom would tell me all the time, ‘If you don’t know something, just ask. Why are you scared of asking?'” Jordan recalled. This approach promoted critical thinking and athletic development. Questions held as much value as achievements in their household.

Supporting all children equally

Jordan’s basketball career naturally got attention, but Monet supported each child’s unique path equally. The Poole household lived by a principle that Anthony described: “I think that’s why I am who I am. They never changed to their setting. They never changed who they are. They were always themselves. It showed me how to just be who you are.”

Monet worked as a case manager at the Eisenhower Center. She still made time to attend major events for all four children. Her actions proved that each child’s path deserved equal recognition.

Creating a competitive yet loving environment

Competition and compassion blended naturally in the Poole home. Their middle-class Lutheran household balanced weekend activities. They went apple-picking, visited art festivals, and took pottery classes alongside athletic training. This mix created room for achievement and authenticity.

“He’s comfortable in his own skin,” noted one observer about Jordan. “He’s not trying to be something he’s not. Some people might find him weird or different, but he is who he is.” Yes, it is worth noting that Monet chose not to send Jordan to parochial school because “it would’ve smothered him.” She recognized early that his unique personality needed space to grow naturally.

Conclusion

Monet Poole did more than just raise an NBA star. Her unique mix of athletic wisdom, disciplined parenting, and steadfast dedication shaped Jordan’s $15 million basketball career and the success of all four Poole children. Headlines focus on her push-up drills for missed free throws, but her real triumph was building a home where education, individuality, and athletic excellence thrived together.

Jordan’s NBA achievements showcase his mother’s guidance. She still watches from courtside while her early lessons continue to shape his game – from free throw discipline to staying true under pressure. The Poole family’s journey shows how smart parenting, backed by high expectations and total support, can develop amazing talent and build character that reaches far beyond basketball.

FAQs

Q1. Who is Monet Poole and what is her role in Jordan Poole’s life? Monet Poole is Jordan Poole’s mother and a key figure in his development as an NBA player. She is a former college athlete who has balanced her career as a social worker with raising four children, including Jordan.

Q2. What unique training method did Monet Poole use to improve Jordan’s free throw shooting? Monet implemented a system where Jordan had to do 10 push-ups for every missed free throw. This method helped sharpen his skills and instill discipline, contributing to his exceptional free throw shooting in the NBA.

Q3. How did Monet Poole balance parenting multiple children with different interests? Monet supported all four of her children equally, attending their events and encouraging their individual paths. She created a competitive yet loving environment that fostered both athletic and academic success for each child.

Q4. What role does Monet Poole play in Jordan’s professional career? Monet maintains a consistent courtside presence at Jordan’s games, providing crucial emotional support. She helps him navigate the challenges of fame and keeps him grounded, encouraging him to stay true to himself.

Q5. How did Monet Poole’s background influence her parenting approach? Monet’s athletic background and career as a social worker informed her parenting style. She combined high expectations with emotional support, creating a balance that helped shape Jordan’s character both on and off the court.