Ykealo Araia is a professional basketball player, head coach, professional skill trainer, and founder of OuTheMud basketball. Ykealo launched OTM in 2019 as a means to give back to the next generation of basketball players, and was motivated by having to reach his basketball dreams without any help or guidance, and wanted better for the next generation.

Growing up he fell in love with the process of improvement, and would constantly find himself pausing workouts to give pointers to friends or random people who took interest in his workouts. As he began to notice their success, he became even more confident in his ability to teach the game, and knew he would pursue this passion someday. 

Along his journey in becoming a professional basketball player, he faced plenty of mental and physical challenges, and when he couldn't find a helping hand to pull him 'out of the mud', he had to become that person. Ykealo would find himself constantly thinking about how many others could possibly be going through similar struggles.

"My goal is to not only help players with skill development, but to be there as a mentor to provide them with information and insight to improve their game and lives."