From the Court to Code: Student Founders Launch AI Platform to Democratize Basketball Training

LAPost / Los Angeles (March 9, 2026) — What began years ago on a school basketball court in Suzhou has evolved into a technology startup aiming to bring professional-grade athletic training to everyday players.

A team of student founders from the University of Southern California (USC) and Minerva University has launched BounceBunny, an AI-powered platform designed to help non-professional basketball players access personalized training programs typically reserved for elite athletes.

The startup was founded by former teammates Kevin Gou, Stefan Sun, and Ash Du, who spent years playing competitive basketball together before pursuing studies in computer science, game design, psychology, and behavioral economics. Their shared experience as student-athletes exposed a gap in the sports training ecosystem: while professional and top collegiate programs employ full-time strength and conditioning coaches, independent athletes often lack access to individualized guidance.

“Most players want to improve their vertical jump, which is crucial for basketball,” the founders said. “But without access to a trainer, many rely on generic online videos that can’t adapt to their body metrics, training schedule, or available equipment.”

BounceBunny aims to close that gap through AI-driven training. Unlike traditional fitness apps that offer generic workout plans, the platform focuses specifically on basketball performance. Its models are trained on a specialized dataset that includes professional training protocols and peer-reviewed sports science research related to basketball performance.

The app allows athletes to input their personal data—including physical metrics, available equipment, and training time—to generate a tailored training plan. Using video analysis, the platform can also estimate a player’s vertical jump and track improvement over time.

In addition to automated training guidance, the platform connects users with experienced dunkers and professional players who offer consultations and performance feedback through scheduled sessions.

While balancing demanding academic schedules, the founders continue to refine their AI models to analyze biomechanics and movement efficiency. Their long-term vision is to enable real-time feedback on athletic form—essentially placing a sports science lab inside a smartphone.

Despite the advanced technology, the mission remains personal. The founders say they are building the platform for athletes like their younger selves—players with ambition and dedication, but without access to professional coaching resources.

More information about the platform is available at http://bouncebunny.app