Rainer J. Meisterjahn, Ph.D.

Dr. Meisterjahn helps MOTIVATED players and coaches MAXIMIZE their MENTAL GAME! He earned his Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a Specialization in Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior from the University of Tennessee in 2011. Additionally, he holds an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Frostburg State University and a B.A. in Behavioral Sciences with a Concentration in Psychology and a Minor in Coaching from the University of Maine at Machias where he played basketball.

Dr. Meisterjahn is a Certified Consultant with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (CC-AASP). He has provided mental skills training for basketball players at all levels, including NCAA D-I, FIBA, and the NBA. Specifically, Dr. Meisterjahn has assisted players with building mental toughness, increasing focus, maintaining motivation, and improving communication and leadership. In addition, Dr. Meisterjahn specializes in player interviewing and assessment and provided services for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2013 NBA Pre-Draft. Amongst his strengths is the ability to work with international players and help with on and off-court transitions.

In 2011, Dr. Meisterjahn conducted a series of interviews with NBA (e.g., Jermaine O'Neal, Austin Daye) and international players (e.g., Tremmell Darden, Rodrigo De La Fuente) at Impact Basketball to inquire about players' perceptions of mental challenges in their sport and their utilization of mental skills. Dr. Meisterjahn has also gained valuable knowledge of the mental requirements at the elite level in conversation with retired NBA players such as Dale Ellis and Marc Jackson; NBA sport psychologists, particularly Keith Henschen of the Utah Jazz; college coaches like Cuonzo Martin of Tennessee, and international coaches such as former European and Euroleague champion (as player) Mike Koch (former head coach of Telekom Baskets Bonn).

Dr. Meisterjahn has presented at numerous international conferences and spoken about the mental game of basketball to players and coaches at Impact Basketball Academy in Las Vegas and Mike Lee Basketball in Milwaukee. In addition to his work as as a mental skills coach, Dr. Meisterjahn has designed and implemented on-court skills workouts for players such as Tobias Harris (Orlando Magic) and Chris Lofton (former All-American, Tennessee) and assisted with numerous other NBA player workouts (e.g., John Wall).

Follow Dr. Meisterjahn on Twitter @rjmhoops and get better TODAY!