MEET THE OWNERS
Meet Josh Akognon (pronounced Uh-Koy-YoN)
I’m Josh Akognon, from Petaluma, California, a small town just north of San Francisco. I wasn’t handed anything in this game—I built everything off skill, work ethic, and obsession with detail.
I started my college career at Washington State in the Pac-10, where I earned multiple Pac-10 Player of the Week honors and was mentioned as one of the top players in the conference. I led the team in scoring at 10 points per game, but coming from a senior year in high school where I averaged over 30 points per game, it didn’t feel like enough. But after conversations with coaches, it was clear they weren’t planning to speed up the system. So I made the decision to leave.
I was very close to committing to Miami in the ACC, but after talking with some close friends, I took a leap of faith and transferred to Cal State Fullerton—one of the best decisions I ever made. I averaged 23.9 points per game, finished among the top scorers in the country, and was later invited to the Nike Paul Pierce Skills Academy, where I was considered one of the top 20 shooting guards in the country, along with names like Steph Curry, James Harden, Tyreke Evans, and DeMar DeRozan. I led the team to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 30 years, and my time at Fullerton led to my jersey being retired, a moment that reminded me of everything I fought for.
I was projected to go in the second round in the NBA draft, but going undrafted was one of the biggest pains in my life and that pain fueled the work ethic and desire that I try to instill in my kids and my work today. I went on to lead the Sacramento Kings in scoring during NBA Summer League, playing alongside Jimmer Fredette and Thomas Robinson (KU). That showing earned me a training camp contract with the Dallas Mavericks, where I eventually made my NBA debut in 2013.
Internationally, I spent over a decade playing across China, Lithuania, Italy, the Canary Islands in Spain, the EuroLeague in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Baskonia), Estonia, Belgrade (Serbia), and the NBA D-League across multiple stints. In 2016, I became an Olympian, representing Nigeria in the Rio Olympics. I averaged over 30 points per game in China, led the league in threes, and carved out a career built completely on skill and preparation.
What I Do Off the Court
I now live in Overland Park, Kansas, with my wife Ariana Akognon, a Hall of Fame athlete from Topeka West High School who earned a full scholarship to Washington State, where we met. We have four kids—three boys and one girl—and everything we do is rooted in faith, legacy, and giving back.
Off the court, I’m part owner of multiple companies, including:
- The Fam Sports Agency – The #1 women’s sports agency in the world, representing over 35% of the WNBA, along with college coaches, MLB players, and operating a major baseball hub in the Dominican Republic.
- Wave Rideshare – A safer, more reliable alternative to Uber and Lyft, and the official rideshare partner of the Charlotte Hornets, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Mavericks, Duke Basketball, multiple airports—and now backed by Allen Iverson as an investor and partner.
- The Hideaway – A restaurant in Beverly Hills on Rodeo Drive, a premium dining spot where culture, flavor, and energy meet.
- I also own a 14,000 sq ft sports facility in Topeka, Kansas, called 785 Athletics, where I employ elite trainers and provide kids with the structure, fundamentals, and mindset to succeed at every level—from elementary to pro.
I don’t say all this to impress you—I say it so you know exactly who I am. I don’t just talk about it. I’ve lived it. And if your son or daughter walks through my doors, they’re going to get everything I’ve learned from the game, the grind, and life itself.
Meet Ariana Akognon- The Backbone of Kanali Training
Ariana is more than just the co-owner—she’s the force behind the scenes that keeps Kanali Training running like a well-oiled machine. As the wife of Coach Josh and the one managing all day-to-day operations, Ariana keeps everything organized and on point. Let’s be real—without her, things would fall apart quickly.
Her athletic résumé speaks for itself. Ariana was a star from the start, dominating at Topeka West High School, where she was eventually inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. She still holds records there that haven’t been touched. Not your average athlete—she was truly elite.
She earned a full athletic scholarship to Washington State University, where she competed at the Pac-10 level and continued to excel. After college, Ariana played professionally for a short time before stepping into motherhood with the birth of her first child.
She later became the head coach of Christ Prep Academy, where she led the girls' team to the best record in school history at 19–0 a testament to her leadership, basketball IQ, and ability to bring the best out of her players.
With that kind of experience, it’s no surprise she knows what it takes to compete and win at a high level. So if you ever see her in the gym and she gives your kid a tip—take it.
We’re also excited for you to finally put a face to the name—and the one behind all the texts and scheduling. Ariana isn’t just part of Kanali Training—she’s who really runs it. And we’re all better for it.