Our Team

D.J. Fenner

Born December 7, 1993 in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, D.J. Fenner grew up in Seattle, Washington, as the son of former NFL running back and Seattle Seahawk, Derrick Fenner. Having moved around frequently due to his father’s playing career, D.J. Fenner found a home at Seattle Prep High School where he spent three years playing varsity basketball while enjoying other activities including playing the piano and filmmaking.

During his time at Seattle Prep, D.J. was named the Seattle Times Washington State Player of the Year after averaging 27.3 points per game as a senior. Scoring fewer than 20 points only three times, over 30 points nine times, and twice scoring more than 40 points during his senior season, he became Seattle Prep’s all-time second leading scorer in just three years.

From there, D.J. went on to the University of Nevada, Reno, on a full-ride scholarship where he spent four years on the men’s basketball team while earning Mountain West All-Conference Second Team honors as team captain, Senior Male Athlete of the Year Award, and helping his team win the 2017 Mountain West Conference to play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

After graduating with a degree in Communication Studies while minoring in Community Health Sciences, D.J. went on to play professionally overseas in the top European basketball leagues of Hungary, Greece, Finland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Serbia.

“Although I am still in the middle of my professional playing career, I wanted to create Thoughts Need Company to pass on the knowledge of basketball and navigating the life of a competitive athlete that I have learned over the years, so that others may gain an edge on the basketball court and in life.”

- D.J. Fenner

Ernie Chatters

With nearly 40 years of formal basketball coaching experience, Ernest Chatters, aka Coach Ernie, has dedicated his life to helping basketball players of all skill levels develop into hard working, team-oriented individuals prepared for life both on and off the basketball court. 

As the recipient of many coaching awards including the 2005 Junior NBA Coach of the Year Award, and the Seattle Parks Department 20-year Youth Basketball Coach Recognition Award, Coach Ernie has been able to develop youth basketball players into successful high school, collegiate, and professional athletes.

His coaching philosophy, which involves body and mind conditioning, maintaining a positive attitude through encouragement and perseverance, and having fun, has been proven to improve athletes of all ages. 

“I love basketball, and I love coaching. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I witness personal growth in my players both on and off the basketball court. Furthermore, watching them gain self-confidence in themselves and their abilities makes what I do worth it! At Thoughts Need Company, we make sure our players improve and gain basketball experience through intense training that helps build positive character traits, leadership skills, basketball I.Q., and competitiveness. And, most importantly, we make sure our athletes have fun!”

- Coach Ernie