Todd Troxel has built his career on a single principle: bring your very best every single day. That mindset has taken him from training NBA stars to becoming one of the most trusted coaches in women’s basketball. Recently featured in the Diana Taurasi documentary, Troxel’s impact on the game and on its greatest players is undeniable.
When Troxel first met Taurasi in Russia, he had already spent a decade working with NBA players. The introduction came through Shabtai Kalmanovich, owner of a top women’s team. “After about a week, Diana and I got in the gym,” Troxel recalls. “From that day on, we trained every single day.”
Their approach was laser-focused on improvement, not titles. “We never trained thinking she was the best, even though she was,” says Troxel. “It was all about getting better every day and putting the work in every single drill, every single day.”
That discipline paid off. Troxel brought a new level of physicality to the women’s game, blending NBA training methods with global basketball influences. Over time, their work extended beyond mechanics. “Before games, I would talk to her about the opponent and areas she could attack. During games, I was always there to have her back and give suggestions for her to be the most successful.”
Success, Troxel insists, was rooted in more than talent. “Diana would have had success regardless if I coached her or not. But I think we were a partnership. She made me care as much as she did, and nobody cares about winning more than her.”
Today, Troxel is channeling that same energy into his role with the Oklahoma State University women’s basketball team, working alongside head coach Jacie Hoyt. He continues to study the game, innovate in training, and invest deeply in his players’ development. “As a coach, you can coach until you’re 100. I’ll keep learning and working hard while sharing my experiences with the next generation of basketball players.”
About Todd Troxel
Todd Troxel is a veteran basketball coach and performance trainer whose career spans the highest levels of both men’s and women’s basketball. He began by training NBA athletes for over a decade, developing a reputation for intense, detail-driven workouts and a relentless commitment to improvement.
His career took a pivotal turn when he joined a professional women’s basketball team in Russia, where he began working daily with Diana Taurasi, now widely regarded as the greatest women’s basketball player of all time. Their decade-long partnership yielded championships, MVP seasons, and a friendship founded on mutual respect and a shared work ethic.
Troxel’s influence extends beyond skill development. He is known for his ability to prepare players mentally for competition, instill confidence, and identify strategic opportunities during games. His coaching philosophy combines global basketball expertise with a personal approach that treats players as both athletes and individuals.
Currently serving on the coaching staff at Oklahoma State University, Troxel continues to mentor elite athletes while also valuing his role as a husband and father. He credits Taurasi with showing him what the highest standard of work looks like, and he now passes those lessons on to every player he coaches.
