Cal Poly's Sam Walters

Cal Poly Assistant Coach Sam Walters was likely predestined to become a basketball coach at some level. That thought being predicated on the fact that his father Stu coached hoops for decades at Soquel High (Santa Cruz County), is currently the Soquel High athletic director (since 2009) and is a local sports icon. Overall, Stu Walters has mentored prep basketball players for over 40 years.

Another nourishing factor is Walters was strongly invested especially in college basketball, making positive impressions playing at UC Santa Barbara and Colorado Mesa. The latter turned out to be a key transfer move in his post-playing career direction.

But there was no come to Jesus 'I know what I want to do with my life and it's coaching' moment for the youthful Walters. He progressed step-by-step before coming to that conclusion.

"Growing up, my family valued coaches and coaching and I watched my Dad be impactful in changing lives as a coach," Walters explained. "But I didn't think I'd become a college coach." After twice being named a Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Co-Most Valuable Player (at Soquel High), "I went on to play for Bob Williams at UC Santa Barbara (Williams began his coaching career in Santa Cruz County) and then Mike DeGeorge at Colorado Mesa (DeGeorge is the current head coach at Cal Poly). I was thinking about other careers even though I always knew that coaching was personally rewarding."

With a master's degree in Sports Management in hand after finishing at Colorado Mesa in 2019, Walters returned home with coaching still a optional lure yet not a fully concrete one. He landed a position assisting Ron DuBois at UC Santa Cruz in 2019, a D3 program. (DuBois is now also currently on DeGeorge's staff, after they first paired up when DuBois assisted DeGeorge at Rhodes College in Memphis back in 2010). Walters stayed at UCSC through the 2022 season while also serving as the interim head coach for a six-month span in 2021.

He then moved on to work under the well-regarded Danny Yoshikawa at West Valley College  (Yoshikawa assisted successful college basketball programs at St. Mary's, USF and UC Santa Barbara). WVC is a community college located nearby in Saratoga and, with Walters aboard, the Vikings finished 33-0 in the 2023-24 season, capturing the state championship.

Joining Up With Cal Poly

Walters moved south for the 2024-25 season, rejoining DeGeorge as an assistant coach. Not coincidentally, Cal Poly moved from a 4-28 pre-DeGeorge season to 16-19 in just one season, averaging 18.4 points better than the previous one while burying 11.5 three-pointers per game and scoring 82.1 points an outing. The mid-major Mustangs enjoyed the greatest improvement of any team in the country last season in the KenPom rankings (345 to 182).

One extremely remarkable item about DeGeorge is just one player has ever transferred from his programs. The reasons why are multiple (individual player development and learning to play multiple positions in order to make the jump to professional status much more likely being foremost), and elements Walters wants to emulate once he is heading a program.

Earning a promotion

This year, Walters earned a promotion to recruiting director. As DeGeorge offered in an earlier article: “Sam has done a remarkable job helping our international student-athletes navigate the process...His intelligence and attention to detail have made it clear he’s ready to coordinate our recruiting efforts.”

The recruitment of student athletes from outside the United State usually require much greater documentation during the admissions and visa proceedings and involve working with educational and government entities. However as Walters explained, "We value international players because of their experiences and commitment to the game, but we are committed to recruiting the players in our backyard as well." Eight members of this year's Cal Poly team are international student-athletes.

The Cal Poly Secret Sauce

So what does Walters tell prospective Cal Poly recruits, national and international? "We're very honest with players and we provide a clear vision of that player's development program. Our style of play is attractive because it's comparable to the pro game and lends to player development (as players also learn how to be effective at multiple positions). We also get analytics in front of each player. It also helps that I played for Coach DeGeorge (a concrete credibility when answering questions about the head coach and his playing style). We also talk about packing the Mott (the 3,000+ seat Athletics Center) and it being a great environment for basketball."

"We stress Cal Poly and its strong academics and that 95% of our players graduate which is above the student body rate. Also, that San Luis Obispo is a college town and a community that cares about the school. We love to recruit California and are doing that 100% right now."

Getting Foreign Student-Athletes Enrolled

As his team's head recruiter, what does pursuing a talent require? "First, we have to check high school transcripts which are eventually evaluated by Admissions and what prospective major CP candidates can study are determined. It's also critical to check an overseas player's professional status" (as some have been paid but can often still meet NCAA amateur guidelines)."

"It's all about putting in the work and going the extra mile to make it work. (As he offered with a laugh) I have learned a lot about our own government and foreign governments."

Yes, Walters is a coaching newbie but anyone in the profession wants to eventually head his or her own program. "Yes but it's all about fit and each school's situation. I'm glad I have playing and coaching experience at all four levels and that I've had great mentors."

Being an important component on a coaching staff that revives the Cal Poly program into one of annual success would also create a tremendous career boost. Walters is preparing.

Coach Brandon Bracy's Team Rampage 17u

Team Rampage Coach Brandon Bracy has a 10-man squad this summer, heavily laden with local and regional talents and one currently possessing a 10-2 record. It's a team that pulls for one another, displaying no jealousy or envy. Here are Bracy's mini-descriptions of each talent:

Meet Team Rampage

• Jordan Magana 5’9’ - Central Catholic HS (2026): "Full of grit, tough but with more finesse than brother Dayton Magana (attending Linfield College in Oregon after graduating from San Joaquin Delta College), a leader on the court, a lefty who has been shooting the ball really, really well lately, he has hit significant shots for us, a point guard and a shooter."

• Tyler Bailey 6’4’ - Junipero Serra HS (2026): "He played 17u for us last year as a sophomore, a two-way player, he can defend the 1-3 positions, a good outside shooter, he was a role player last year, he's providing more leadership in a quiet way, has greater confidence, possesses a long wingspan."

• Jayson Powers 6’7’ - Gregori HS (2026): "An incoming senior who turns 17 in the Fall, he's grown a lot, attacks the basket well and has a great mid-range game. He rebounds well and enjoyed a few breakout performances over the summer."

• Alexander Hamblet 6’8’ - Phillips Exeter Academy (2027): "Out of Archie Williams High in Marin County, his father attend PEA, he's only a sophomore and has a 4.0+ grade point average, he shoots the three well, displays good instincts and is good defensively, he'll likely be a D1 high academic target."

• London Haskell 6’8’ - Skyline Prep AZ (2026): "Has a great mid-range game, he's a powerful jumper who runs the floor well, he had a game-winning dunk in overtime for us in April."

• Christian Taylor 6’6’- Skyline Prep AZ (2026): "A new player for us from Los Angeles, he played for the Jalen Green Elite last Spring, he's a strong guard who can handle the rock, this summer is his time to prove he can handle the point."

• Gavin Christian 6’5’ - South HS (2026): "He's like a glue guy who plays hard, possesses perimeter/wing skills, he can also play the four and the five spots, jumps off of two feet, the MVP of his (Bakersfield) league, he's more athletic than what he looks."

• Cliff Willis 6’1’ - South HS (2026): "Another Bakersfield area talent, he's a coach on the floor, he even gives me suggestions on what to run on the floor, he plays off two feet, he shoots well in the mid-range."

• Anthony Monts 6’3’ - Jesse Bethel HS (2026): "A freak athlete at 6-foot-1, a lefty who is built like a tight end with broad shoulders, another glue guy, he has improved his handle this Spring, has played with us since the 9th grade."

• Brayden Bruce 6’4’ - Vacaville HS (2026): "Another guy who has played with us since the ninth grade, he has enjoyed a pretty productive Spring doing well with his opportunities, best asset is energy, he makes winning plays, can shoot the three and attacks closeouts."

According to Bracy, "All the players have been fantastic, playing with no egos. This is my most engaged group."

It's a New World of Hoops at Cal Poly

Cal Poly finished 16-19, 8-12 in the 2024-25 season. Yeah, ho-hum. So what? Well, it was a 12-win improvement (from 4-28 overall, 0-20 in the Big West Conference) after bottoming out the year before.

Here's the worthy backstory: known as a program builder at each of his five previous head coaching spots, Mike DeGeorge officially came over to San Luis Obispo from his successful tenure at D2 Colorado Mesa on March 26, 2024, assembled his staff and went to work.

Some may call the Mustang improvement magical but that term indicates the mystical or the supernatural at work. While nobody on the new Cal Poly coaching staff practices prestidigitation, Cal Poly finished a remarkable #3 among 355 NCAA Division I programs with 11.5 made three-pointers per game and 19th in scoring at 82.1 points per game. In this past season, the Mustangs set new program single season records for total points, three-pointers and field goals while averaging 18.4 more points per game than the previous one.

The label "The DeGeorge Era" is already being bandied about as an SLO term of success and abundance. DeGeorge also rebuilt programs at Rhodes College, Cornell College and Eureka College, the latter beginning in 2000.

THE NEW STAFF

DeGeorge hired:

• Veteran mentor/now assistant coach Ron DuBois enjoys NBA, WNBA, college and overseas/international head coaching and assisting experiences on his hoops résumé. A native of Lodi, DuBois directed a successful nine-year stint at UC Santa Cruz, going 88-112 at a D3 school that offers no free rides and enjoyed a zero hoops reputation prior to his arrival. He departed as the program’s all-time victories leader alongside a 100% student-athlete graduate rate. All this after earning a scholarship to Arizona State University as a point guard, being named a team captain in his senior season and earning all-academic Pacific-10 Conference honors in 1999. DuBois previously worked with DeGeorge.
• Jesse Pruitt as an assistant coach, a basketball veteran with eight years of experience assisting at Stanford as well as another eight seasons at Santa Clara.
• Kyle Bossier who assisted DeGeorge both at Colorado Mesa and Rhodes also assisted DuBois from 2012-16 at UC Santa Cruz, is now back with McGeorge as an assistant and was also a member of the St. Mary's coaching staff in 2016-17. Bossier is a native of Santa Rosa. 
• Sam Walters, who played for DeGeorge in a 2018-19 graduate season, later assisted DuBois from 2019-2022 at UC Santa Cruz. Walters then assisted at West Valley College in Saratoga, CA for two very successful seasons. Again in an assistant role, he is a Soquel, CA native (Santa Cruz County).
• BJ Andrews also assisted DeGeorge at Colorado Mesa and is doing the same at Cal Poly. He is the sole coaching staff member minus any northern California basketball coaching connections.

DuBois recently talked with NorCal Basketball about his newest employment.

"We didn't know what to expect but once we beat Stanford (97-90 a road game on November 30), we knew we could make some noise. There were some rough patches (a three-game losing streak in early-to-mid December and then later a seven-game losing streak from mid-December to mid-January)." But the Mustangs closed out strong with a road win over Long Beach State, followed by victories over UC Davis and then UC Riverside in the conference tournament before falling to UC Irvine.

"Coach DeGeorge brought four of his players along from Colorado Mesa (including Ethan Menzies out of Half Moon Bay High) plus a couple of international prospects," DuBois noted. "Cayden (St. Mary's High-Stockton) Ward too. No one recruited him. We gave him a scholarship after just a couple of months" and the 6-foot-5 Ward concluded his freshman season averaging 7.4 points per game plus 3.4 rebounds in just 16.4 minutes a contest.

WHY COME TO CAL POLY?

Lacking much of a hoops reputation, what is the pitch to prospects? DuBois responded, "Playing style and opportunity. We play at a fast pace (tops in the country) and that attracts a lot of players. But freedom is earned and we spend a lot of time on decision making."

He continued, "the players we want have size and versatility, can play without positions and shoot 3s." Cal Poly put up 1,114 treys in 2024-25 to just 895 for opponents, finishing with a 36% shooting accuracy while defending at a 34% rate.

Seeing a major uptick in international players entering the college ranks DuBois said, "those with maturity and the ability to process team basketball seem to fit in quickly on the court at the college level. Academics are also generally at a high level because a lot of schools overseas are good. But the key is English proficiency and being able to adapt culturally once here."

GROWING TALENT

According to DuBois, "Basketball is a game of making quick but good decisions (on both the offensive and defensive ends). When you get the ball, it's either shoot, pass or dribble and making a good choice takes a while to develop. All the drills we do are geared towards that. By playing and making decisions live against speed, our players get more reps because we don't stop. We all have a growth mindset."

Plus, "Mike DeGeorge is good at sharpening strengths and developing weaknesses. We call ourselves Development U as at Cal Poly the school motto is learn by doing. What we do is develop our guys off of video and reps, not by stopping practice and talking. We accept we aren't going to get guys who walk in the door and can do it all, but we can develop who we get."

Let's see what season two brings down San Luis Obispo way.

Brandon Bracy Comes Home

It's difficult to discern if this is truly a trend up in Solano County but, if it continues, the next set of men's basketball coaches at Solano College will be younger than their student-athletes. New interim head coach Diego Reyes is 27. His newest staff hire, Brandon Bracy, is 33.

The current plan in place is to team up with the rest of the hoops staff and turn the program around, primarily by getting top Solano and neighboring County talents to come to Fairfield to play community college basketball.

"Diego reached out to me," Bracy explained, "saying it was a new era at Solano." Bracy, who is moving over from an assistant coach position at San Joaquin Delta College, is familiar with the program and also a Solano College alum.

But besides being involved with recruiting, player development, assisting in game planning and scouting opposing teams, new to him, Bracy will also be teaching at his new school, working in the health & fitness center alongside teaching the basketball class, yoga, plus more to be determined. "I'm looking forward to being in the classroom," he said.

He has also assisted at Napa Valley College as well as coached at numerous area high schools.

"It's difficult to get in at a junior college and I wanted to be part of something special," Bracy explained. "I think we have that opportunity here."

The Plan For A Turnaround

"A lot of the top players around Solano go elsewhere and we want to turn that around in the 707," Bracy said. "Our goal is to get kids to want to stay here."

Bracy's Solano College pitch? "Our campus is great. We have Chabot College coming up next season and that's something you wouldn't ordinarily see. Yuba College has enjoyed a chokehold on our conference and we want to make it a lot more competitive. College of Alameda did a lot better this season after bringing in Gary Payton as a new head coach so we'll have a rivalry there."

"Some kids still need to see a change before committing but we're offering the chance to be a part of our new era, coming here when expectations are low and becoming one of the best teams in school history. We'll develop you and help you move on (to a four-year school)."

Bracy's Personal Master Plan

Talk about deserving, Bracy has been preparing since 2014 for this moment. From scratch in September 2014, he started his own AAU travel team, the Team Rampage 707 Basketball Club, and will continue to operate it. He has also worked as a youth counselor for Golden State Warrior basketball camps as well as those of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Educationally, he possesses Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Media Studies from California State University East Bay and followed that with a Master's Degree Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine in 2016-2017.

Recruiting

So how has Solano College recruiting gone to date? Nine new players so far are coming in to play for the Falcons:

• Easton Valenzuela, a 6-foot-2 guard from Dixon High and American River College
• Samuel Gillaspy, a 6-foot guard from Alhambra High
• Daryl "DJ" Brown, a 6-foot-2 guard from Vanden High
• Carter Miles, a 6-foot-3 guard from McClatchy High and San Joaquin Delta College
• Joey Fross, a 6-foot-2 guard out of Escalon High and San Joaquin Delta College
• Damari Combs, a 6-foot-6 forward out of Fairfield High
• Ryan Bailey, a 6-foot-4 guard out of Bishop O'Dowd High
• Dwight Strickland, a 6-foot-8 center out of and Vallejo High and San Joaquin Delta College
• Dominick Dennis, a 6-foot-2 guard out of Benicia High and Los Medanos College

Regarding Bracy's 17u Elite New Balance travel team currently sporting a 10-2 record with upcoming tournaments in Memphis and St. Louis, he said, "this group is probably the most competitive and well-rounded in my 10 years. We don't have a super lead guy but 1-10 everyone is good."

Bracy is fully feeling the positive throughout all his efforts, offering "we're stacking good days." 

The Giacomazzi Way at LPC

Coach James Giacomazzi's Las Positas College basketball program thrives annually, currently 18-0 thus far in the 2024-25 season, and being successful on the court feeds his inner competitive fire, those of his assistant coaches and also his student-athletes. What's intriguing is that the multiple reasons for the hoops prosperity in Livermore extends far beyond teaching mere basketball concepts. Relationships are the most critical component as Giacomazzi and his coaching staff focus time and energy into developing mutual respect and understanding, establishing connectivity between each coach and each player, plus between player and player.

In his tenth season at LPC (currently 181-73, 71.2% winning percentage) and having made post-season play every year since he arrived, Giacomazzi's teams are known earning post-season eligibility and advancing deep into the playoffs, including in 2021-22 where his team went to the Elite 8 and finished 27-4. With a previous prosperous stint heading the men's basketball program at Cosumnes River College (Sacramento) for 11 seasons, Giacomazzi departed college and entered the coaching profession by assisting Percy Carr at San Jose City College for six seasons.

At age 17, Giacomazzi began playing for Carr at San Jose City College and contributed to the Jaguars winning two conference championships before transferring to, playing at, and graduating from UC Riverside. He also eventually earned a master’s degree from San Jose State University in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Human Performance and Sport Management. His hoops journey began at Washington High in Fremont with Coach Guin Boggs, on a team that won the Nor Cal championship in 1991 and became the state championship game runnerup, both in Giacomazzi'ssophomore season. He was a two-time all-league player while at Washington High, also earning 3^rd team Greater East Bay and MVP of the conference his senior year.

Of Boggs, Giacomazzi vividly described him as "smart, a great motivator and a tenacious coach who instilled passion." He called Boggs "a culture coach long before that description became a buzzword." In a 2022 article, he said of Boggs: "He taught me the principles of the game...and strategy.” In his various tenures throughout the Bay Area and Northern California, Boggs coached in the high school ranks, at the junior college level and with four-year programs, tutoring young men and women.

So why the turn to hoops? "I enjoy the competitive nature of the game of basketball, Giocomazzi offered. "Even when I was in middle school playing at a park against high school players. I was 13, they were 18 and I learned by failure."

After college, Giacomazzi's entrance into coaching wasn't a surprise since "my Dad was a (basketball) coach at San Carlos High." But possibly of even greater importance to that career entrance was "my relationship with my JC Coach Percy Carr. I began coaching with him in 1998." Their connection is so tight that Carr was a groomsman at Giacomazzi's wedding.

Feeding off "kids graduating and getting scholarships," Giacomazzi noted "mentoring has taken a hit. When I was coming up, I started out playing just a little and that was okay with me because I had to earn my playing time. Nowadays, I’d be curious to ask a player if they want to be part of a championship team and play a little or be part of a team that may not win much but play a lot, I wonder which they would choose." Which is fascinating because think about what will be cherished by any individual 30-40 years from now.

Asked to name personal attributes he deems critical to being successful as a coach, Giacomazzi offered, "vulnerability, honesty, forthrightness and loving your players. They see how you conduct yourself around your wife and kids and that needs to conform with how you interact with them. We don't have all the answers but we just try and do things the right way. As Purdue Coach Matt Painter recently said, 'we don't conform our core beliefs to players. the players conform to what we value.' It's about who you are as a person. Are you a straight shooter who demonstrates what you say? Character matters so care for them genuinely. Value their voices by asking for their input. Be patient." If this sounds like similar advice to that of Dr. Benjamin Spock about child-rearing way back when, it is.

To a query about how he stays fresh since he's been operating a sports business for 20+ years, Giacomazzi responded quickly and succinctly: "My family and my assistant coaches. My wife and daughters have been a part of all that I have done in coaching. Also, I currently have and have had great assistants and I really value them. (Associate Head Coach) Anthony Haskett owns a Master's degree and is young, intelligent and passionate." That degree is in Exercise Science & Health Promotion with an emphasis in Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention.

"(Assistant Coach) Ravi Bhambhra has three years experience running his own program at College of Alameda. Both are highly invested and that makes my job a lot easier." Bhambhra owns an M.A in Kinesiology, with emphasis on Sports Psychology, from San José State University and previously assisted at Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa, City College San Francisco and Cañada College (Redwood City).

Whether it be Devin Aye (San Jose City College head coach), Jonathan James (Cosumnes River College head coach), Nicholas Podesta (Clovis West High head coach), Fred Wilson (Inderkum High head coach), Michael Lorente (Destiny Christian head coach) and multiple others, "they've all made me look smarter."

So are there any future Coach Giacomazzi's in the pipeline? "My kids are highly ranked acrobatic gymnasts who are soon to be trying out to be a part of the US National Team. They've traveled all over the nation and internationally for meets." So, there very well may be a future Coach Giacomazzi or two but it will involve Balance, Dynamic, and Combined routines rather than flare screens, backdoor cuts and the like.

What very few know about Giacomazzi is his choice of work if he wasn't coaching and simultaneously carrying out duties as LPC's athletic director. "I do have a Master in Sports Management so I like working to expand sports offerings which we are looking at doing at Las Positas College, but outside of coaching or being an AD, I’d love being a stay-at-home Dad and watch my girls do their thing." That's a critical if forever under-appreciated role and certainly involves multiple skills applied in juggling the requirements of keeping a household operating smoothly.

Maybe the phrase 'growth generator' is appropriate here. Young men, coming from high school, enter the jarringly different existence of community college basketball and classes. Giacomazzi's is a program where maturation and improvement both on the court and off as well as in the classroom is expected. How does he know he is performing his role well? Because former players call, text and return to Las Positas and visit whether it be during breaks from their four-year schools, playing professionally overseas (now has had 22 players play professionally) or after graduating. Countless of his hoops acolytes remain in touch to this day. It takes a certain degree of growth on Giacomazzi's part since determining how to connect with each player's psyche and mindset is a must towards establishing that desired sense of mutual caring.

Yes, Coach Caring would be an apt nickname for him. It's not ferocious, combative or headline grabbing—it's him, and his family, his assistants and a long list of his players are thankful.

Ohlone College Coach Jordan Lee in (Mostly) His Own Words

Ohlone College men's basketball Coach Jordan Lee is successful in his realm, turning around a moribund program, one that finished 2-25 the year before his arrival to a remarkable 18-11 in his initial season. The newfound prosperity of the Renegades powered the achievement of a state playoff berth. Ohlone's record fell to 14-15 this season but still earned another entry into the state playoffs, making such now a program norm. At least under Lee.

But this recent flourishing of hoops in Fremont tells but a portion of who Lee is as he would be successful in anything he pursues simply because of a tenacious desire to work on 'problems' until they are resolved. There's no quit in him, very little ego and the precious ability to laugh at himself. Just by maintaining his values and how he interacts with all in his orbit, any prediction of further thriving is an easy given. Combine all these elements with his B.A. degree in Public Policy and a fast track position in the U.S. State Department would not be out of the question.

So why the avenue of coaching for Lee? "Coaching is a calling for me, it's to see greatness in these kids and love them, encourage them, mentor them so that they can see it themselves. There's been no greater feeling than to see these boys turn into men and see that I might have played a small part in that."

His entry into that livelihood began while he was still playing professionally in Hong Kong, a tenure that lasted three seasons abroad. "One of the benefits of coaching there was getting more gym time," Lee explained, always an attractive lure to any basketballer. Once done with play-for-pay, Lee returned home to coach the Alameda Vipers AAU squad. He simultaneously landed a position assisting first Myron Jordan and later Robert Bishop at College of Alameda. "I told him (Jordan) that I was willing to sweep floors and do the laundry in order to earn an assistant coach position." Then three years assisting at D2 Cal State East Bay were followed by two seasons doing the same with D1 UC Riverside (notice the step up with each move) before the Ohlone opportunity to head his own program and team appeared.

Giving Credit Where It is Due

Lee credited many in the basketball coaching field for helping him along in his journey noting retired coach and college administrator Myron Jordan, College of Alameda Head Coach Robert Bishop, Cal State San Bernardino Head Coach Gus Argenal, Cal State East Bay Head Coach Bryan Rooney, DeUndrae Perteete, Cal State East Bay Assistant Mikey Eggleton, Dominican Assistant Matt Davis, Loyola Marymount Assistant Coach Daniel Eberhardt, UC Riverside Head Coach Mike Magpayo, Sacramento State Head Coach Mike Czepil and longtime college basketball assistant coach Jeff Hironaka in particular. He keeps in touch with many of them.

"They taught me how to work" and "showed me the way," Lee modestly explained. "I'm a product of them."

Lee's long time Ohlone assistants are also critical to the program. "I’m lucky that I’ve had Nate Millheim and Terrence Broussard on my staff my entire time at Ohlone College. I tell them as often as I can how thankful I am for them because we could not be successful without them. Each brings something unique and different to the team. They’re irreplaceable."

So what is Lee's basketball and life philosophy? It begins with something he learned from reading about success from UCLA Coach Mick Cronin. "Caring, because players have to know their coach cares about them." The foremost factor here is this allows for criticism because the player knows his coach has his best interest in mind despite sometimes offering challenging and adverse feedback. 

"It's so important to demonstrate to your players what a growth mindset is," according to Lee. "It's about overcoming your boundaries. I couple (being) gracious and kind by calling my players on evenings and weekends to check in with them. We also plan events (usually involving eating food) because team culture is important. There is a time to laugh and they need to see that I'm human."

"Knowing that you matter to somebody can be life-changing," Lee continued. "So while I challenge players, I also love on them. I believe if I treat my players well, the basketball will fall into place."

On an intriguing note, Lee offered "I've never kicked a player off my teams" and "I've found the most rewarding players are those with baggage because when you get those guys committed (to the team), man, that's special."

If the problem(s) or issue(s) cannot be resolved, Lee explained "I'll tell a player that 'maybe I'm not the best coach for you' and I'll always help any of my players to find a new coach. How do you get burned by doing that?'"

Lee recalled a rough patch when his drawing up plays to win at the end of close games failed to launch four consecutive times. "I felt I was not good enough for them and I apologized to the team to let the players know. That night, three of my sophomores called me to encourage me and said 'no, we let you down.' It meant so much to me because they rallied around me to show how much they cared. They appreciated and cared back. When they see you cry, they give you a hug. Players pour back into you what you pour into them."

Ultimately, "there is so much to learn and grow for me and I ask my players to do the same."

Asked how he stays fresh during a long season that can consist of 30-something contests, not even counting practices plus road trips. His answer: "Being young helps," he laughed. "I find fulfillment in my work and my staff, family and friends are great support systems." Lee also keeps a journal as a means of self reflection.

Lee with assistants Nate Millheim and Terrence Broussard

So, if not coaching, what would Lee be doing? He recalled enjoying working in the Riverside office of a local state politician utilizing his public policy degree and added that work in the national Environmental Protection Agency seems compelling as well as is being in a think tank which allows for a drill down  focus on subjects. But any path to pursue is always to help people. It's absolutely worth noting that Lee's mother is a teacher as is his uncle, his sister is a nurse and his father is a physical therapist.

Born in Oakland, growing up in Alameda, graduating from Alameda High, then to UC Riverside for a Public Policy B.A., playing overseas followed by a Master's in Physical Education and Exercise Science from Azuza Pacific, is a fascinating crucible, one that has molded him into who he is today.

For some time, Lee's mother has used the term "diamond in the rough" as a descriptive family joshing for her son. Lee now replies with "at some point, you have to call me a diamond, Mom." But as Lee stated, "She had a belief in me before I had it in myself."

All joking aside, if there were ever any doubters, none remain who don't believe in the current iteration of Jordan Lee. He is someone people want to be around, whether in the role of friend, coach or mentor because Lee's desire for the development and success of those around him equals if not surpasses that of the individuals themselves. Proximity to Lee means you will learn as well as grow, all in the right manner. Indeed, it may take a village to raise a young person but you definitely want Lee to be one of those villagers.

A review of "THE ROAD MORE TRAVELED, A COACH'S VIEW FROM THE BENCH" by Brian Katz

THE ROAD MORE TRAVELED,
A COACH'S VIEW FROM THE BENCH"
Brian Katz, 215 pages

The longtime head coach at San Joaquin Delta College and Sacramento State has collected numerous stories and anecdotes on and about him and his former players in his new book and it's an enjoyable, breezy, yet engaging read.

Intimate details, ones that never appear in newspapers or on-line are contextually presented, warts and all, and readers are provided an opportunity to truly learn about and understand the volatile life of a college sports coach as well as gain insight into what made some of his players tick. It sometimes appears (and definitely so in this book), that a college sports coach is required to be at least a part-time psychologist.

Katz presents his interactions with 13 of his former players and also provides updates on each of them at the conclusions of each chapter, a decision that provides a degree of closure. As a reader, knowing the "ending" of the main characters' stories is gratifying.

I particularly enjoyed the chapters on Jared Cozad and Mikh McKinney. Cozad walked on at San Jose State University (whose home games I attended) after playing for Katz at San Joaquin Delta College from 2003-2005 but eventually was scholarshipped after his first semester with the Spartans. It was fun watching him play with his unorthodox style and he was easy to root for because he gave his all every moment on the court.

I first witnessed McKinney in a high school all-star game and he stood out with his ability to create offense for himself. Nobody could stop him from getting wherever he wanted to on the court. I had no idea who he was but he eventually ended up playing and starring for Katz at Sacramento State from 2012-15. His journey from streetball ace to employing his collected hoops acumen to best advantage is detailed.

Critical background information provided about both Cozad and McKinney not only as basketball players but also as individuals is essential information as it draws the reader into their personal trials and tribulations as well as triumphs. Not just with this pair but also with each featured player is the why they are who they are, at least prior to their association with Katz.  Katz must dig deep to determine how to communicate and "reach" the psyche of each young man.

The lives of Philip Ricci, Sam Kirby, Chris Walker, Dylan Garrity, Ajay Riding, Kevin Bland, Trevis Jackson and others are also presented as is Katz's own successes and foibles, making all fair game. But far from making anyone appear in a negative light, the style humanizes each former player as well as Katz and readers will often see glimpses of themselves in the details. Nothing is written to shame or embarrass; only to better understand what the individuals' issues were and how they were resolved.

The players always knew where they stood with Katz, who is drill sargeant tough with his lengthy practices but clearly lays out his expectations and doesn't back track when behavioral lines are crossed.

Readers will come away with so much heretofore unknown information in an in-depth look at each player Katz presents. This allows for greater appreciation of both player and coach.

Thank you Coach Katz for what you have provided. It's eminently readable and provides so much for readers to learn.

Justin Piergrossi and His "Skyline Way"

For 20 consecutive years, the Skyline College men's basketball program has enjoyed the navigation of Coach Justin Piergrossi. He operates his program with an emphasis on team, family and the always keeping the big picture in mind. So much so, Piergrossi developed his program's own mission statement titled "The Skyline Way."

That being: "We prioritize development above all else. It impacts every decision we make in our program. Our goal is to impact the long-term success of our players on and off the court. We start by recruiting people, not players. We have been privileged to coach some great kids in our program, who became outstanding young men."

Such a focus is succeeding:

• 223 of Piergrossi's total of 249 recruits have been from the school's geographical designated recruiting area.
  
• 96% of Piergrossi's players who completed two years earned an A.A. degree.
  
• A member of Skyline's program has been named the top men’s basketball student-athlete in NorCal by the CCCMBCA for four years running. That has never happened before.

With Piergrossi providing educational and basketball opportunities to local and regional prospects, he is fulfilling what is a long ignored community college mandate. His on-court emphasis on offensive spacing and ball movement, leading to greater three-point efficiency, prepares his players to add and sharpen various skills four-year recruiters find attractive.

Piergrossi possesses a Sports Management and Finance undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business as well as a Master's degree in Sports and Fitness Management from USF. He played his high school ball in his home state of Connecticut, coached back east in various positions before being hired to assist Phil Matthews at USF. It's not a surprise that working as an academic mentor was among his duties during his five-year stint on the Hilltop.

The following will catch readers up on the current status of many of Piergrossi's former student-athletes:

Current Pros (all local talents, five from public high schools:

• Justin Gutang (Burlingame HS) - just signed a multi-year deal in South Korea
• Simon Enciso (Terra Nova HS) - a Philippine Basketball Association champion, just had his own shoe designed
• Toyoshige Kano (Riordan HS) - just signed a multi-year deal in Japan, straight out of Skyline
• Clayton Ladine (Burton HS) - has played the past two seasons in the 1^st division in Iceland
• Jake Salinero (Half Moon Bay HS) - just signed his second pro deal
• Antonio Hughes (Lowell HS) - heading to England to play professionally and get his master’s degree in Psychology

For this past season, all 6 of Piergrossi's sophomores who wanted to continue their playing careers are moving on:

• Toyoshige Kano (Riordan HS) - signed professionally in Japan
• DeAndre Minor (Carlmont HS) - signed with Cal Maritime Academy
• Dominic Wilson - (Riordan HS) - signed with Northwest University (WA)
• Julius Alcantara - (Serra HS) - signed with Menlo College
• Ryan Wilson - (Serra HS) - committed to UC Santa Cruz
• Ofek Sirkis - signed with Grand View University (IA)

Quite the number of Skyline Men's Basketball alums are in positions serving Bay Area communities:

San Francisco Police Department

• Rodney Freeman (Wallenberg HS)
• Ronney Freeman (Wallenberg HS)
• Alexander Austria (St. Ignatius HS)
• Pierre Battle (Westmoor HS)
• Antonio Aguilar (St. Ignatius HS)
• Justin Heckford (Oceana High)

San Mateo Sheriff’s Department

• Dan Johnson (Burlingame HS)

SF Fire Department

• Mario Flaherty (Mills HS)

Dallas Fire Department

• Shawn Echols (Mills HS)

Other Notable Alums that played for Piergrossi at Skyline:

• Paul Phangureh (Mitty High) - Deputy Finance Director for City of Napa
• Devin Williams (Price HS) - Founder/CEO of IntheLab
• Tom Kroner (Lowell HS) - Staff Attorney at Bay Area Legal Aid
• Gerald Colvin (Terra Nova High) -Territory Account Manager for Keurig Dr. Pepper
• Agustin Arroyo (Half Moon Bay HS) - Investment Advisor with Charles Schwab
• Matt Fochtman (Mills High) - Developmental Special Education Teacher
• Wai Min (Westmoor High) - Cyber Security Support Specialist at Visa
• Randall Young (El Camino High) - Physical Therapist at Sutter Health
• Matthew Cesca (Capuchino HS) - Senior Manager, Integrated Experiences/Broadcast at Salesforce
• Filip Popovic - (Serbia) VP of Engineering at ZoomInfo
• Dan Afeaki (Capuchino High ) - Recruiter Shifamed

Damario Sims and Doing Good Remain One & the Same

Ten years have passed since Damario Sims graduated from Chico State with multiple successes on the basketball court and a degree in criminal justice. Coming out of both difficult and periodically dangerous times in his West Oakland neighborhood, then losing his mother when he was 15 (raised thereafter by his grandmother and then his uncle and aunt), roadblocks and obstacles presented him with formidable challenges.

But if there was one student-athlete at McClymonds High who teachers and other professionals in his orbit knew would advance and flourish despite deterrents, the smart money was on Sims. He continually led the charge a la his effort in the McClymonds High 2007-2008 32-0 state championship season (a year after finishing second) and his being an instrumental cog in the transformation of the previous moribund Chico State men's basketball program into an annual powerhouse. 

As the first person in his family to attend college, he graduated in 2013 with a 3.3 grade point average, finishing seventh in career points scored at 1,191 as well as seventh in assists with 272. Sims garnered First Team All California Collegiate Athletic Conference honors while as a Wildcat.

With opportunities to play abroad, Sims instead went in the direction of his larger and wider view, feeling a greater desire to serve others whether that be in his old neighborhood, Oakland itself or elsewhere. He currently is doing so as a Santa Clara County Deputy Sheriff.

We talked with him recently on a myriad of subjects. He is one of those few-and-far-between individuals who both exudes ebullient energy and magically transfers such to others even during a conversation.

"Life has been good," he offered.

He comes from a very close extended family which became a critical component to his early success. "Cousins are like brothers and sisters in my family." He was taken in by his elders when his Mom died. "But I was her baby and I lost that innocence with her death. Dwight Nathaniel (the McClymonds boys basketball coach and an influential East Bay sports figure) and some other coaches looked out for me."

Sims knows exactly why he chose criminal justice as a major, As he explained, it came about "because our neighborhood was pretty wild and we were drawing a lot of attention because of our success (at McClymonds). An Oakland Police Department sergeant and four officers were assigned to our basketball team. We got to know each other well and they took care of us. I became super intrigued and left high school wanting to be a cop." Regarding the weightiness of his decision, which would be lauded in most communities, Sims explained, "I couldn't say that out loud in my neighborhood."

Then, with multiple opportunities to sign on for a basketball scholarship up and down the state, came his choice to go with Coach Greg Clink and Chico State University. His decision was a bona fide life changer. "Coach Clink demanded zero tolerance from me. I couldn't take a play off whether it be basketball, in the classroom or in the community."

While others may have crumbled with such strictness, Sims flourished. It was a competitive atmosphere especially on the court but also in the classroom. Call it a crucible of sorts, one that Sims emerged from as a better person. "Chico is the only place where I felt a bond due to my participation in athletics." It turned into a brotherhood with players supporting one another even after graduation. "Jake (Del Oro High) Lovisolo is my best friend and a brother to me. He lives across the street. Most of the guys on the team have attended each other's weddings and we have no secrets, holding nothing back." Chico finished last in win-loss records and academic rankings prior to Clink's arrival.  

Sims and Clink have a special relationship. Sims provided insight into the inner workings of Clink's influence both on and off the court. "On a night when we beat Cal State East Bay for first place but we didn't play particularly well, Clink was talking with someone and displayed his life philosophy, saying "I'm not into winning games, I'm into playing well."

Sims continued, "Coach Clink has us (the team) over to his home one day, something he did a lot, and we got to see how he interacted with his wife Courtney and young sons Justin, Tyler and Ryan." It was an intriguing scene, with a coach who always firmly demanded the best from his student-athletes, being "a gentle man around his family." It was something Sims has never forgotten.

As a senior, Sims was moved to point guard in order to get the team's best talents greater minutes on the court. "It was a tough role change," Sims admitted, "because we didn't have an identity at the beginning of the season. But the team respected me enough to accept the change."

Clink Speaks on Sims

Here's Clink on his special guy: "Damario was one of the key catalysts in building our program. Not only was he a dynamic player, but the energy and competitiveness and attitude he brought everyday rubbed off on people. The program took a major turn forward once he started playing. You could see it on the court from the first time I put him in. I remember him hitting his first three from the right corner and the excitement he had was contagious. He was never afraid to show his emotions and the players and coaches fed off that. He is one of the toughest guys I have ever coached."

Sims added, "I've always had a sense of team and accountability being bigger than myself. My need to be ready has always just pushed me further."  

About the entry into his law enforcement role, Sims explained "the mental health aspect of seeing dead people close up and vicious crimes against children used to bother me as did the painting of negativity towards law enforcement with a broad brush. But my family always supported me and I acted with professionalism and with empathy. You can feel the emotions but they can't dictate your actions."

Sims has also been playing an interesting role since George Floyd's murder in 2020. "I've talked to members of the Stanford, Nebraska, USF and Washington athletics programs, including players. I've also talked with former teammates, current players and we didn't sugarcoat anything. People weren't talking and we needed to talk to help ease our minds."

As Clink put it, "in alignment with the times, we had two former players who are now deputy sheriffs (Rashad Parker, Alameda County and Damario Sims, Santa Clara County) participate in a Zoom meeting with our guys because of the emphasis right now on social justice and police, and they provided interesting perspectives on being Black in America and in law enforcement."

Sims periodically return to visit his old neighborhood. "A cousin recently got married  and I did get recognized. But the conditions were obviously different." 

In my job, I get love, support and respect and am told to keep doing what I'm doing. As a young black man in law enforcement, I appreciate it."     

Three of the Best Coaching Performances

David Patrick of Sacramento State, Mike Magpayo of UC Riverside, and Stan Johnson of Loyola Marymount all have something in common besides being head coaches at Division One colleges. While each is at different steps in the process of building (rebuilding being an inaccurate term), each has either turned around or is in the midst of doing so, a program previously known as long term unsuccessful or "a coach killer" to those more dramatically inclined.

Remarkably, this trio of metamorphoses are taking place without basketball palaces to play in, gleaming practice facilities, a large fan base and unlimited financial support from the school. In fact, chatter and more surrounding the Riverside program is of eliminating Division One athletics entirely but new plans are present to prevent that from taking place.

David Patrick of Sacramento State

Patrick just finished 14-18, 7-11 in Big Sky Conference action with the northern California-based Hornets in his initial season. He did Magpayo a favor, leaving Riverside in 2019-20 with building blocks in place after 17-15, 7-9 overall records. Patrick has nine foreigners on his 2023-24 team including four Aussies, plus much more size. But his is primarily a young team in need of experience. 6-foot-1 senior transfer Brandon Bettson is out of Salesian Prep plus Tulsa and Chicago, and consistency in the backcourt is needed from him. 6-foot-4 Emil Skatta is likely too young to be consistent so returning fellow guards Quadry Adams and Austin (Sonora High) Patterson need to step up their game in-game out production.

Mike Magpayo of UC Riverside

Magpayo has enjoyed the best numerical success to date, building on Patrick's momentum in turning the previously hapless program in southern California into a winning one, going 51-31 in his first three years with the Highlanders, 31-16 in Big West Conference play.

But he lost his best talent in 6-foot-4 Zyon (College Park High) Pullin to transfer (Florida) and the second best player Cameron Flynn looks to have graduated. However, 6-10 Aussie sophomore Lachlan Olbrich returns with his 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds a game. 6-foot-1 JC point recruit Isaiah Moses will need to perform immediately.

Stan Johnson of Loyola Marymount

Johnson took over Loyola Marymount in 2020 and last season concluded with a 19-12 overall record, 9-7 in West Coast Conference outings. Victories over Georgetown, Wake Forest, Gonzaga, BYU and St. Mary's punctuated the 2022-23 schedule. But Johnson will be missing his top talent from last season, Cam Shelton, plus his third-leading scorer Jalin Anderson. This season will be a solid test for Johnson and the Lions. Can the momentum continue?

Do keep in mind the successes achieved by all three also came during the COVID pandemic when recruiting was often limited and truncated so more credit to them.

The coach who wins the national championship should not automatically be deemed as Coach of the year. Possibly but possibly not. Judging who truly deserves the annual honor involves taking many factors into consideration. Any one of these three should have rightfully received votes after this last season.

The Chabot Gladiators Basketball Win Streak

Minus a trio of players who lost their eligibility during the holidays due to academics, an up-and-down 2022-23 Chabot College basketball team and Coach Keenan McMiller faced the second half of its schedule with a reduction in firepower and depth. Yet the remaining squad then blazed a 14-game winning streak starting on January 9 that markedly turned their season around.  

Label the 2022-23 Chabot season initially hot due to a 4-0 season start, then inconsistent and cold because of a three-game losing streak, including a pair of two point losses. A win, another loss, then a victory came next. However, a trio of losses followed. Granted, many of these were close contests. Even in the January 6 Chabot - CCSF contest, a 101-81 loss to the Rams, McMiller found positives, offering "we played four guys recovering from the flu and another suffering from hives and we still won the second half by three points."

Close Contests

The tight games for the Gladiators covered the spectrum:

• November included a 58-55 loss to Merritt plus a 92-90 loss to host MPC,
  
• December brought a 92-90 defeat at the hands of host San Jose City College and a 79-76 loss to Cuesta College in the Hancock tournament,
• February being notable for an 89-87 victory over visiting #1 San Francisco City College.
  

The Gladiators concluded the regular season 20-8 overall, with a 13-1 Coast North Conference record.  Their 14 game winning streak is rife with a bevy of  high-scoring games: 82 points, 75 points, 88, 98, 104, 93, 89, 94, 90, 103 and 107 as Chabot closed out the regular season with an 84.1 points per game scoring average. Coach Keenan McMiller earned the honor of co-coach of the year in the Coast-North Conference as the first African American coach to do so. The Gladiators shared a league championship with CCSF.

In the playoffs, the Gladiators first faced Los Medanos College on February 25 and Jaiden Rivera's 33 points carried Chabot to an 89-82 home court victory. McMiller's crew earned the right to face host San Jose City College on March 4 but fell 82-68 on Saturday to the Jaguars in the NorCal Regional Final with Zach Broadous' 18 points leading the points production while Diggy Winbush and Jaiden Rivera contributed 15 points apiece.

The Prominent Gladiator Turnaround Factors

A team-bonding exercise promoted growth and maturity. "Utilizing the bonding exercise began when I was still at Merritt and took place this year mid-season on Avila Beach" (near San Luis Obispo) as the Gladiators were also preparing for participation in a basketball tournament. "It's a check-in to see how the guys are doing. Next season, we are going to do one early in the season and also keep the mid-season one. I call the biggest thing coming out of our bonding work as a come-to-Jesus moment. They learned so much about each other. What works for the team and you is your goals being their goals," McMiller explained.

Also while in San Luis Obispo, McMiller set up a dinner with his assistant coaches to have a "where are we at?" dinner. The question surrounding "why can't we win league?" was addressed by all. The January 20-point loss to CCSF hung heavy in the air but McMiller witnessed the aforementioned positives: four of his players taking the court still in the throes of the flu and one suffering an in-game hives attack which stopped play for 20 minutes or so. Also, that Chabot won the second half of the game by three points. "Our players weren't mentally tough enough and mature yet."

Call his communication processes promoting greater trust and chemistry.

McMiller also utilizes a post-season questionaire, a process allowing his student-athletes to provide formal annual feedback on what worked and what needs improvement. The relationships he built with his talents over the season shined through in the honest and direct responses as well as the thanks offered. "We do this every year."

As for next season, McMiller sees more success on the horizon. He loses five sophomores (6-foot-11 Terrence Craft earning a full scholarship to Bellevue University) but recruiting is going well due to a number of early commits.

The top Gladiators (regular season)

• 6-foot-1 sophomore Diggy Winbush, 13.3 ppg, 4.0 assists, 2.5 steals, Coast-North Conference co-MVP/All State honoree (recruiting interest from Big West Conference and Southland Conference universities)
• 6-4 freshman and team captain Zach Broadous, 13.3 ppg, 4.2 rebounds, First Team Coast-North Conference honoree, member of All Freshman team
• 6-4 sophomore David Hector, 14.4 ppg (team-leading), 9.4 rebounds (team-leading), 3.5 assists, First Team Coast-North Conference honoree, member of All Defensive team, honorable mention all state (recruiting interest from D1 Southwestern Athletic Conference and Great Northwest Conference universities)
• 6-foot-3 sophomore Jaiden Rivera, 14.3 ppg, First Team Coast-North Conference honoree, member of All Defensive team (recruiting interest from D1 Southern Conference and Great American Conference universities, just returned from an official visit to Southern Nazarene University, AP top 15 ranked Division 2 program) 
• 6-foot-9 sophomore David Ogunleye enjoyed 46 blocked shots this season as an Honorable Mention Coast North Conference honoree (recruiting interest from D1 Southwestern Athletic Conference universities)