My name is Gannon Short, the Founder and Head Coach of AZ Apex. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Grand Canyon University, where I developed a strong foundation in athlete development, program leadership, and building a successful sports organization.

Basketball has been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. I played all four years at Shadow Ridge High School, an experience that shaped my competitive mindset and taught me the discipline and work ethic I bring into coaching today.

Currently, I coach at Ashton Ranch Middle School, and that experience has been one of the biggest reasons AZ Apex exists. Coaching there allowed me to build real relationships with the kids—getting to know their personalities, their goals, what motivates them, and how to push them to be better. Seeing their growth, their excitement, and the impact I could have made me realize how much I truly love coaching.

Working with that team gave me the confidence and motivation to take the next step and launch my own program.

AZ Apex was built from that passion — to create a program focused on development, competition, and giving players a place to reach their highest potential.