matt mcleod:
Founder & program director
Matt McLeod has changed the lives of thousands of players and coaches through his work as a basketball coach and leadership development specialist. Having fallen in love with the game from an early age, Matt began coaching and teaching basketball when he was in high school and has been doing so ever since.
Matt has worked with players and coaches all across the country and at all levels - from elementary school to the NBA. Regardless of a player’s level, he is committed to helping others overcome setbacks and disappointment to achieve the greatness that’s inside of them.
A highly decorated and nationally respected coach, Matt stepped away from coaching his own team after the 2020-21 season to pursue a new passion. One that's led him to be able to help athletes, coaches, and parents at a deeper and more personal level. Locally through the founding of Summit Basketball Academy, and all over the world through his work as mental performance coach and athletic consultant.
Matt spent the last four years of his coaching career as the head coach at Casady High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In four years, the program amassed 82 total wins (the highest number during any four-year span), including a 74.2% winning percentage over his final three seasons on the bench. During the 2019-20 season, the Cyclones recorded the most wins in school history (26), breaking the mark they had set the previous year.
Prior to moving to the Sooner State, Matt had spent 10 years as a head coach in Texas. His last two seasons in Texas were spent at The Covenant Preparatory School (Kingwood, Texas), where the program has amassed a record of 62-15, including a district championship and a 2016-17 Final Four appearance.
In all, Matt was a head coach in Texas and Oklahoma high schools for 14 years, where he has amassed 324 total wins and was recognized three times as the Texas Outstanding Coach of the Year by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.
Matt graduated from Oral Roberts University in 2004 with bachelor's degrees in both communications and English. There, he met his wife Emily, and they have four children: Olivia (18), Wesley (16), Boyce (13), and Elizabeth Joy (11).
gabe barnes
Director of basketball development
Coach Gabe Barnes is joining the405 United Basketball staff to serve as the Director of Basketball Development. He’ll be overseeing the growth of our players, the development of our teams, and helping ensure we’re building the right habits and standards every day. You’ll find Coach Gabe actively assisting and leading practices, upholding the culture and standards of the program, helping ensure teams/players are developing properly, and coaching on the sidelines during games.
Coach Matt’s and Coach Gabe’s relationship dates back more than six years when Coach Gabe was working for the OKC Thunder and assisting with their youth programs. He then joined Coach Matt in working for PGC Basketball as a basketball instructor and camp director.
Just prior to joining Summit Basketball Academy, Coach Gabe spent three and a half years as the Director for Oklahoma City’s Pro Skills Basketball program. He is also currently the Middle School Boys’ Basketball Director and an assistant varsity basketball coach at Casady High School as well as a basketball skills coach and trainer.
DJ Freeman
Head Coach & Player Development Lead
Coach DJ Freeman first joined the 405 United Basketball coaching staff in the summer of 2025. He serves as a coach across all age groups, with a primary focus on player development.
A Oklahoma City area native, Coach DJ played his high school basketball at Casady High School for Coach Matt. There they had one of the most successful runs in Cyclone Basketball history, totaling 63 wins in three years together.
Over his four-year college career, Coach DJ played in 91 total games (including 43 starts), averaging 7.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 59% from the field. His other awards include: 4x Lone Star Conference Commissioner’s Honor Role, 1x LSC Defensive player of the week, 2022-23 All Great American Conference Honorable Mention.
BRYAN SULLIVAN
LEAD COACH
Coach Bryan Sullivan has a long track record of coaching success at the youth sport level. A native of Minneapolis, MN, Coach Bryan and his family moved to Edmond in the fall of 2023, and he immediately began coaching local basketball and football teams.
Coach Bryan coaches across all grade levels for 405 United, with a specific focus on the current 12U & 13U teams. During the 2025-26 winter season, he led each of those teams to outstanding finishes at the CBYA State Tournament. 11U (now 12U) won the state championship, while 12U (now 13U) finished as the runner up.
He and Coach Matt first met when Coach Bryan was coaching Coach Matt’s son Boyce in flag football. The two immediately hit it off, and Coach Bryan has been coaching with 405 United Basketball ever since.
ben ramsdell
head coach & player development specialist
Coach Ben Ramsdell, a native of Edmond, Oklahoma, joined 405 United Basketball coaching staff in the spring of 2026. A current sophomore at the University of Oklahoma, Coach Ben had a stand-out prep career playing at Oklahoma Christian School.
Not only was he a four-year letter winner for the Saints, but Coach Ben was also the starting point guard and team captain on OCS’ 2023-24 team that finished 25-2 and claimed the OSSAA 3A State Championship. That year Coach Ben was also a Second Team All-Conference selection for the Greater Metro Athletic Conference.
When asked to share any valuable insights or advice from his years of experience, Coach Ben said, "Basketball isn't just about talent; it's about the effort you put in every day. Whether it's practicing drills or hitting the gym, never underestimate the power of hard work."
Emalee Smith
Coach & 405U Academy trainer
Coach Emalee Smith, a native of Edmond, Oklahoma, joined 405 United Basketball coaching staff in the fall of 2026 after finishing up her collegiate playing career at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas.
As a senior, Coach Emalee saw action in all 26 games Eagles, including four starts, helping guide her team to a 13-13 final record. She was also a three-time ASC Academic All-Conference Team selection during her college career.
Prior to playing college basketball, Coach Emalee was a standout player at Deer Creek high school where she was voted team captain by her teammates her senior year.
She also spends her summers working as a Basket Instructor for PGC Basketball, which is where she and Coach Matt first met.
Victor Ramirez
coach & 405U Academy Trainer
Coach Victor Ramirez, originally from Guymon, Oklahoma, joined the 405 United coaching staff in the fall of 2026 after moving to the Edmond area with his wife, Anna.
Coach Victor enjoyed a stellar prep career at Goodwell High School, where his senior year he lead the Eagles to their first state tournament appearance at the Big House in 50+ years.
A recent graduate of Liberty University, Coach Victor spent last year as an assistant HS coach in Texas while he was finishing up his undergraduate degree.
Coach Mike Barnes, a native of Prosper, Texas, is the most recent addition to the 405 United Basketball coaching staff; having joined the program in the fall of 2026. In addition to his coaching role with 405 United, Coach Mike is also a freshman at Langston University where he’s a part of the men’s basketball program.
Prior to signing with the Langston Lions, Coach Mike was the starting point guard at Richland HS in Prosper, Texas. Despite his senior year being the Richland’s first as a school, Coach Mike helped lead the Raiders to a 19-win season and a third round appearance in the UIL 5A State Playoffs.
Coach Mike has a true love for the game of basketball and is passionate about helping kids build strong fundamentals, gain confidence, and developing their own love for the game through hard work and fun.
