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About Swish Camp
Our Mission and Values
Palos Verdes Swish Camp puts a modern twist on a classic sports camp experience—blending skill development, personal growth, and pure fun. Founded by Coach Jonathan Zellers, an award-winning basketball enthusiast, educator, and father of two, Swish Camp is a place where kids can be kids, learning skills and making memories in a nurturing and supportive environment.
Designed for players of all abilities, Swish Camp combines professional coaching, engaging activities, and fun-filled competition to create an unforgettable experience both on and off the court.
Our Story
Swish Camp was born from Coach Z’s lifelong passion for basketball and his deep connection to the Palos Verdes community and neighboring communities within the South Bay. As a local native and father of two, Coach Z envisioned a camp that would offer kids a nostalgic summer camp experience—getting them off their screens, out of the house, and into a fun and engaging activity. More than just basketball, Swish Camp was designed to strengthen community bonds while providing a place where kids could learn, grow, and create lasting memories.
With over 15 years of experience coaching and helping lead summer basketball camps, Coach Z combined his expertise, passion, and educational background to create a program focused on more than just skills. Swish Camp is a place where kids, families, and local mentors come together to share the joy of basketball, have a blast, and create memories to last a lifetime.
Our Mission
At Swish Camp, our mission is to inspire young campers to grow both on and off the court. We strive to create an ideal atmosphere of nurture and fun, where every camper feels supported—a place where we celebrate mistakes as opportunities to grow and rally confidence from within. Our goal is to build skills, foster friendships, and strengthen connections within our community.
Through expert coaching, engaging activities, and personalized support, we empower every camper to leave with improved skills, newfound confidence, and unforgettable memories.
Our Values
01
Community Connection
We believe in the power of bringing people together through basketball, fostering a sense of belonging and support for everyone involved.
02
Growth and Development
We focus on helping every camper grow as a player and a person, emphasizing skill-building, leadership, and emotional well-being.
03
Inclusivity and Accessibility
Swish Camp is designed to accommodate players of all skill levels, providing equal opportunities for everyone to learn and thrive.
04
Fun and Engagement
We create an atmosphere where learning basketball is exciting and enjoyable, ensuring that every camper has a blast.
05
Mentorship and Leadership
By hiring and mentoring local high school and college athletes as staff, we support their development while fostering positive role models for campers.
06
Safety and Care
Above all, we prioritize the safety, emotional well-being, and happiness of every camper, ensuring parents have peace of mind.
Meet Our Dedicated Team
Passionate Staff Committed to Creating Unforgettable Experiences
Camp Director
Sarah Thompson
Head Counselor
Michael Chen
Activities Coordinator
Olivia Rodriguez
Outdoor Education Specialist
James Wilson
Health and Safety Manager
Emily Patel
Culinary Director
Daniel Nkosi
Competing against the top analytic basketball minds in the country, Jonathan applied his intuition and basketball knowledge to revolutionize an industry dominated by finance and math experts. Without relying on computer systems or spreadsheets—just pure expertise—he became one of the most successful NBA daily fantasy basketball players in history. Under the screen name McJester, Jonathan won more large-field NBA fantasy tournaments than anyone at the time of his retirement, traveling across the country (and even to the Bahamas) as a finalist in over 25 live events.
His achievements include winning three World Fantasy Basketball Championships (WFBBC), earning the title of RotoGrinders Tournament Player of the Year, appearing on HBO Real Sports, appearing in USA Today and Complex Sports, and being featured in the documentary The Perfect Lineup (where he was celebrated as the “DFS Artist” for his unconventional and groundbreaking approach). Jonathan was also personally thanked by ESPN’s Fantasy Director for his insights on daily fantasy sports, which helped shape the industry.
After 12 years of competing as a daily fantasy sports guru, Jonathan has returned home to Palos Verdes with his wife, Caitlin Zellers (now the Swish Momma), and their two young children, Jax (4) and Vivienne (1, AKA “The Viv”). With a master’s degree in education, Jonathan has combined his professional expertise with his lifelong passion for basketball to launch the Palos Verdes Swish Camps—reconnecting with some of his most cherished basketball memories of growing up playing and coaching at summer camps.
Coach Z is humbled by the blessing of sharing the joy and energy of a classic sports camp experience with families like yours.
Meet Coach Z: Jonathan Zellers
Jonathan Zellers (“Coach Z”) has a lifelong passion for basketball: from an elite youth player to starting varsity point guard at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (class of 2003), coaching at Redondo Union High School, Mary Star By the Sea High School, and spending 15 summers coaching at basketball camps.
After graduating from the University of California, San Diego in 2009, Jonathan embarked on an adventure like none other: Using his deepest beliefs that hard work, passion, and knowledge could overcome any odds, he borrowed $70 from his girlfriend (now his wife, Swish Momma, Caitlin Zellers) and applied his basketball expertise to win several daily fantasy basketball tournaments that same weekend. This early success paved the way for an extraordinary, over decade-long career as one of the most successful daily fantasy sports professionals in the country, proving that the impossible was indeed possible.