Thoughts Need Company (TNC)
Mind. Mentorship. Hoops.
Basketball development for athletes who want more than just training — they want mentorship, mindset, and a path forward.
Mentorship
Our PATH mentorship framework: Progress. Awareness. Togetherness. Honor.
🎙️ “I created TNC because it’s what I needed when I was younger. Now I get to give youth athletes a real system that helps them grow—on the court, and even more off of it.”
D.J. Fenner, Founder & CEO
TNC was founded by D.J. Fenner — former Washington State Player of the Year, full-scholarship Division I athlete at the University of Nevada, and an 8-year overseas pro. After retiring, he returned to Seattle to continue building his purpose-driven system, Thoughts Need Company, that delivers real mentorship, structure, and results to youth athletes both in-person and online.
D.J. is a Mental Performance Mastery (MPM) Certified Coach, a certified Double-Goal Coach, and a USA Basketball Gold Licensed Coach. Backed by his wife Mallory and their three children — Spear, Honor, and Praise — TNC is more than training. It’s a mission.
Train with Purpose. Grow with TNC.
🛡️ TNC Academy
💻 TNC Lab
🦾 Built Different: 6-Day Intensive
🏕️ Camps & Clinics
Andres Torres, 15
"The mentorship from DJ Fenner has been amazing. I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better coach/mentor. Through DJ, I not only learned how to get better at basketball, but also how to get better at life in general."
Enrique & Karisse, TNC Legacy Parents
“TNC Academy has been a revelation for us and our child, striking the perfect balance between athletic training and personal development. DJ, the coaches and staff have gone above and beyond to support our child’s growth on and off the court. They focus on essential life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and perseverance, which have been invaluable.
What We're About
At Thoughts Need Company (TNC), we use basketball as a tool to shape confident, driven, and well-rounded young people.
We develop:
- Leaders, not just scorers
- Students of the game, not just highlight chasers
- Confident, coachable, and college-ready young adults
This is mentorship that moves with purpose.
🏀 Built by a Pro
From Seattle Prep's 2nd all time leading scorer to 1,345 career points at Nevada and 8 years overseas — Coach Fenner brings firsthand experience to every session. You’re learning from someone who’s been where you want to go.
🌱 Purpose Over Hype
TNC gives back through The TNC Foundation, offering free mentorship, training, and college prep to underserved athletes across Seattle and beyond.
💻 In-Person + Online
Train in the gym or from your phone. TNC blends live sessions, film study, and mobile-friendly workouts so athletes can stay consistent — no matter where they are.
🤔 Not Sure Where to Start? 🧭
Reach out to us and we'll help match you with the right game plan. Or, click the link below👇 for a quiz where you will answer some questions, and we'll recommend a plan that best fits your needs.
Take Quiz
