The Jr. NBA and Positive Coaching Alliance have partnered together to create a program designed to honor influential youth basketball coaches and the impactful work that they do for our game. The Jr. NBA Coach of the Year award is given to a youth basketball coach in an NBA, WNBA, or G League team market who demonstrates leadership and integrity, exhibits a positive attitude towards all players, coaches, parents, and referees, and creates a lasting impact on young people both on and off the court.
We are pleased to announce Christina Wellendorf, representing the Las Vegas Aces, as this year’s winner! Click on the tabs below to learn more about the coaches who were selected as the 2022 Jr. NBA Coach of the Year nominees.
- 2022 Nominees
The following individuals have been recognized by various NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League teams for their dedication and influence in their local youth basketball communities in 2021-22.
A native of Roanoke Virginia, Coach Willis is a well-qualified athletic director and coach who possesses a broad level of knowledge within the basketball arena. He has had the unique opportunity to coach basketball on various levels which includes but is not limited to: Middle School and High School, AAU, College and Minor League.
Coach Oscar is an East Boston native growing up in the East Boston YCMA community for as long as he can remember. His coaching style is spirited and rewarding. He provides great energy that matches the kids which is what all the kids look forward to. Oscar will also take the time to reward players with positive feedback as soon as he sees a kid trying to get the skill down. Oscar thrives off teamwork and inclusion and loves to see his coaches and parent volunteers get involved and play a part in the program. He knows fully that the quality of the program is what matters most and having parents get involved (especially at a young age) can be crucial to a child’s experience in the sport.
Coach Screen was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. From an early age he fell in love with the game. In 1965 he won the Championship at Erasmus Hall High School (located in Brooklyn). That same year he was named to the General American All-Stars Metropolitan best players list. Following his playing career, he wanted to continue his love for the game while making an impact in the community. He began coaching and soon after created the Flatbush Youth Association. The program has now been in existence for over 30 years as an outlet for boys and girls to steer away from the dangers of the streets.
Talibah Murff has over eighteen years of playing experience and ten years of head coaching experience. The foundation of her coaching philosophy is incorporating her psychology background with teaching athletes to excel in the classroom and on the court. She focuses on respect, leadership, accountability, skill development, and hard work with the goal of preparing her athletes for the next level. Talibah works for the Chicago Bulls Youth Hoops program as a coach and brand ambassador. She also works for Endure Charities, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to change and save the lives of underserved youth in the Chicagoland area through performing arts, sports, literacy, mentoring, and professional training opportunities. They also help provide girls in Mombasa, Africa with sanitary products and undergarments.
As a coach for Full Package Athletics since 2016, Selina Hilliard has positively impacted girls lives on and off the court. Selina is a native of Evanston, IL and has been involved in basketball since a very young age. From playing, to coaching, to working in sports, basketball has been something that holds a special place in her heart. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Tennessee State University in 2015, Selina has made strides in the sports industry as a professional, but also in youth sports as a coach and mentor. Her love and passion for the game speak volumes whether she is in the front office of the Chicago Sky or on the court at an AAU tournament. Selina’s resume shows that she is a respected coach and knows how to make a lasting positive impression on young athletes.
James Cooper is currently a youth basketball coach at the Lakewood YMCA in Lakewood, OH. He oversees all youth basketball activities and the Junior Cavs program. Coach Cooper is also a youth basketball coach with the Cavs Academy, the official training program of the Cleveland Cavaliers. James helps the Cavs with many community programs, including Gym Class Takeovers, School Enrichment, and Cavs Academy Summer Camps. Coach Cooper has been instrumental in growing the Gym Class Takeover program specifically. He is also an AAU basketball coach, and he oversees over 100 kids in the LTB travel program.
Aisha Scott played basketball for Jackson State University from 2002-2006. She started coaching basketball in 2007 with 7–8-year old’s. She really enjoys teaching the kids skills, responsibility, respect, and most importantly how to enjoy the sport. Her motto is “you are a Student-Athlete NOT an Athlete- Student.” Coach Scott encourages kids to work as hard as you work on the court in the classroom by creating fun, intense practices. She even has parents who ask if they can join the drills. As a coach, she loves to see parents involved as well as her athletes’ growth in skill. She teaches them how to love the game of basketball and how it can open so many opportunities.
Kristen Madden was born in Kansas. She attended Barton College, University of Missouri – Kansas City, and Washburn University, where she played college basketball. She has been coaching for thirteen years and is currently the head coach for the Ralston Valley 8th grade girls’ team and won the Gold Crown League Championship 2020 and 2022. Kristen has loved basketball since she was a child and enjoys coaching and developing young basketball players while also providing a positive environment. She instills in her players the importance teamwork and being a genuine person both on and off the court, often citing Michael Jordan, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins titles.
Coach Doc is currently a basketball tournament director, trainer, and Girls AAU Director. Coaching for over twenty-five years, Doc’s coaching career began because he always had a desire to help young people and keep them off the streets and out of trouble. In 1992 at the young age of 23, Doc created the Southside Boys which would shortly become Pryme Tyme in Rockford, IL. He had never coached or even played basketball before, but upon his arrival in Rockford he saw a need for the youth there. Using what was instilled in him at an early age as well as learning from books, he built a foundation that would grow far past what he ever imagined. Despite facing a lot of adversity, Pryme Tyme grew from one team to twenty, becoming one of the most prominent AAU teams in the area and a nationally recognized program. In 2013, Doc decided to move back to Detroit and begin his career at the Hype Recreation Center where he would continue to do what he loved and help local youth. In 2015 he decided to continue his legacy and start the Hype Lady Hooper’s, which has grown to eight teams in just four years and has become a dominant force within AAU basketball.
Coach Lamont Robinson is the Assistant OAL Athletic Commissioner at Oakland Unified School District as well as the Co-Founder of We Lead Ours Nonprofit Organization. He also served as Running Back/Assistant Head Coach/Co-Offensive Coordinator at Contra Costa College. Coach Robinson attended both San Jose State University and California State University – East Bay (Bachelor’s degree – Sociology).
Coach Christina Wellendorf is an English Teacher by day, Basketball Coach by afternoon and evening, and Master’s Counseling Student at night at John C Fremont PDMS & Academy of Medical Sciences. She has coached for six years and taught for nine years. She is a mentor to her peers and current and former students and players, assisting them with filling out applications, writing letters to colleges, and supporting families during loss of life with food.
Celia “Cece” Newman is a proud native of Dyersburg, TN and has a strong background in athletics from being a high school standout with the 2005 State Runner-Up Dyersburg Lady Trojans and a former college student-athlete at Bethel University. Celia was an Athletic Trainer and has over ten years of experience working with athletes both academically and professionally. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from University of Tennessee at Martin, and a master’s degree in Sports and Wellness Leadership from Austin Peay State University. She worked at University of Memphis for two years as a Student Athlete Development Mentor for at-risk student athletes, and soon after founded Elite Level Prep in April 2015. She has mentored and assisted over 100 athletes and currently has a 100% success rate with ELP participants enrolling in Post Grad Institutions. She is an active member of Big Brother Big Sister and continues her dedication to public service as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is very passionate about helping student athletes succeed not just in athletics, but in life. She founded She Got Game League in January 2019 and it has grown tremendously with leagues in Memphis, Nashville, Houston, Cincinnati, and Little Rock. She has given women the platform to continue to play basketball at a high level and continue to get exposure to pursue their dreams. Celia also partnered with Memphis Grizzlies and started the FIRST all-girls basketball league under Junior Grizzlies in Memphis. She has continued to be a pioneer in women’s sports through her leadership and advocacy.
Alison Voss is a proud 4th Grade Teacher and 4th/5th Coed Basketball coach at Henry David Thoreau Elementary, in the District of Milwaukee Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Mount Mary University. Alison is a resident of Milwaukee, WI, but originally from a small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – Kingsford, MI. In her free time, she enjoys practicing Yoga, going to Bucks’ games and hanging out with her Husband, Noah and puppy, Doug.
Janeicia Neely, also known as “Coach J”, played professional basketball overseas in Switzerland and Portugal before coming back home to impact her community as a coach and mentor. She is a New Orleans native and was a founding coach at the 18th Ward Sports Club, an organization focused on increasing youth access to sports by eliminating barriers to participation. Aside from supporting young athletes with on court development, Coach J looks to help her athletes improve their social skills and emotional well-being. When she is not coaching and mentoring youth, she spends her time running adult community basketball leagues.
Coach Stevens is the founder and director of Dyckman Youth Enterprises and the founder and CEO of Dyckman Basketball Tournament. Since its founding in 1990, Coach Stevens has been committed to ensuring the health, growth, and sustainability of the organization establishing a community-based program that assists over 500 families. Dyckman Youth Enterprises works to address the needs of the Dyckman community’s youth, by providing positive programs for underprivileged kids, such as academic readiness and youth employment. Ken built a haven for the youth, players and families from underserved communities to compete and participate in basketball programming without fear. While he works tirelessly to impact the community, he also provides the youth – who come from almost nothing – the resources needed and an opportunity to grow as basketball players and well-rounded individuals to become successful and decorated players in the game.
Serena Ramey has had a lifelong love of basketball, picking up the game as a child and playing all through high school and collegiately at Central Baptist College in Conway, AR. She has a passion to make the game fun while teaching the fundamentals. Serena is a relentless encourager and players feed off her positive enthusiasm. Serena led her 12U girls’ team to an undefeated season this past winter. Serena is married to Brian Ramey and is the mother of 3 girls, Audra, Ashton, and Allie. She serves as the Executive and Worship Pastor at Genesis Church in Moore.
Coach Ryan is from Ohio. He has a bachelor’s from Wright State University in Health/PE as well as a master’s degree from Xavier University in Educational Leadership. Coach Ryan has been in education for 20+ years and coaching boys’ basketball at all grade levels 7-12 for 22 years. His team at Horizon West Middle School won the Orange County Championship for the first time in the school’s history in March of 2022. Coach Ryan is currently the ESOL Compliance Specialist at Horizon West Middle School.
Coach Bernard Corey has been a pillar in the youth basketball community of New Castle County, DE for over fifteen years. He now runs his own basketball program, Coach B’s Kids, for youth players ranging from ages 5-15. As his organization has grown, he has been able to support his students and their families both on and off the court. Coach B has developed life-long relationships with many of his players. His goal is to uplift his community and develop his players to be future leaders through the game of basketball.
Tracy Vick is the proud coach of the 1st/2nd grade Jr. Suns team at the Desert Foothills Family YMCA, The Dominators! Tracy and her husband Richard have 5 children ages 8-23. Their youngest daughter, Mia, attended her first basketball game at 4 days old, and has since spent hundreds of hours in a gym watching her siblings play; three years ago, they decided it was her turn to play, and their turn to coach (at least for the first couple of years)! Tracy worked for the YMCA for a total of 11 years. All their older kids started playing ball at the Y, so they were excited to be involved again and have some fun! Tracy now works as a Legal Assistant and Office Manager at a local law firm, where she hurries out one night a week to be Coach Tracy, and loves every minute of it. They have had some kids on their team from the beginning, and others for just a short time…but all of them make her smile and make even the most tiring evenings fun again! Coaching has been so rewarding for Tracy and brought her back to her childcare roots and the YMCA mission! Each week she reminds her kiddos of a few basketball related skills to try and insert into their game, and then ends with, “Most Importantly ~ Have Fun”…and that is what she’s done!
Jon-Paul “JP” Jaramillo was born and raised in the heart of Phoenix along with his six younger siblings. After graduating high-school, JP started a career in Talent Acquisition working his way up to a director level role twenty-two years later with one of Arizona’s largest locally owned and operated Commercial General Contractors. He and his wife of seventeen years, Amanda, and their two children Kaleb (14) and Meadow (11), who JP has coached since they could dribble a basketball, now reside in East Mesa. When JP’s not at work he’s either spending time with family, or he’s coaching, which usually consists of five days a week, although his wife would tell you that if he could coach 7 days a week, he would. JP’s purpose is to inspire and impact the lives of others through the game of basketball. If you ever meet him, you’ll be greeted with a smile the size of Texas, which is all the proof you’ll need that he’s living out that very purpose daily.
Tom Tran has over twenty-one years of experience coaching recreational basketball and now has his own AAU organization with over 100+ kids in the club. He has been a HS Freshmen Coach as well as JV and Varsity Assistant Coaches at Capital Christian and Del Oro HS. He is currently in his fourth year as a Junior College Assistant Coach at Sierra College in Rocklin, CA for the Women’s Basketball Program.
Coach Eric Talley, a retired Army veteran with 23 years of service, has over 19 years of coaching and player development experience throughout his community. His dedication to player development and mental well-being was especially evident during the pandemic when he continued to support and positively impact athletes with zoom practice sessions during those difficult times. Coach Talley supports his players’ personal development every year by hosting an end-of-year banquet to showcase their academic and athletic accomplishments. He shows his players the importance of being well-rounded individuals by supporting them in their extracurricular activities such as band concerts, ROTC Drill competitions, and many other events.
Joe Pay Pay Jr. has been coaching youth basketball for four years. The coach of the Slayers, a 5th grade girls recreational team, began coaching to bond more with his daughter, but he quickly discovered it was so much more than that. It took less than a year for Joe to realize the impact he was making on the kids in teaching them the game of basketball and the impact they were making on him. Pay Pay Jr.’s impact comes both on and off the court. He is dedicated to helping the team win and improving the players’ skills. He earns their respect and admiration by running laps, doing drills, and dedicating just as much energy as the players at every practice and game. In doing so, he’s formed the connection to help them through the tough times. Joe excels at solving conflict within the team and creating growth as teammates. Joe happily reaps his reward of coaching through his athletes.
Jason is the definition of “ball is life” and is a firm believer in the power of sport and its ability to change lives. He has been coaching basketball every weeknight and every weekend for the past ten years – rain or shine! Along his basketball journey, Jason has been able to coach the U9-12 Toronto Bravo Basketball Team, the U10/12 Toronto Wishes Boys and Girls squads, and has reached over 300 other youth since 2014. Jason has hosted basketball leagues for international high school students and newcomers to Canada. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jason taught online literacy and fitness classes for youth. His motto has always been ‘Everyone should play basketball and be involved in sport’ and this is why he has provided free basketball classes for girls and created an all-Asian female youth team. Jason holds Wish A Ball, a community event to promote basketball and sports literacy for low-income Asian communities every Christmas, where he would deliver free sports equipment, athletic clothing and books to families. Jason Ye is truly a pillar of basketball in our community.
Derek J. Fischer grew up in the small rural town of Harlowton, MT. In high school he was a multi-sport athlete in basketball and track. He attended college in Laramie, WY and moved to Utah shortly after. He currently resides in the Salt Lake City area with his wife and son and runs multiple businesses. He spends several hours each week coaching and training basketball players of all ages.
Peggy Shaffer currently serves as the Program Superintendent for Northern Recreation and Leisure Services Division of The M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. Peggy has been with the Department for more than 30 years, holding a variety of positions to provide youth programming and specifically youth basketball for boys and girls at all levels. Throughout Peggy’s career she has had the titles of Facility Director, Regional Manager, Area Specialist and Program Superintendent. Peggy LOVES basketball at all levels and the sport has been a constant in her life and career. She played basketball at Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, MD and at Prince George’s Community College. She coached basketball for the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) for many years and has continued her involvement with youth basketball programming and oversight through her many years as a coach, administrator, commissioner and leader including the Department’s popular, countywide Inter-Center Basketball League, and various clinics and classes to teach the game to youth of all ages. Peggy’s career has included her either managing or supervising numerous Department facilities throughout Prince George’s County including Good Luck, Huntington, South Bowie, Peppermill, Lake Arbor, Seat Pleasant, Oakcrest and J.E. Howard Community Centers. At every stop or assignment, she has spent countless hours involved in the oversight of youth basketball programs that included developmental, recreational and competitive leagues for all ages. Peggy has touched hundreds, if not thousands of youth through the sport, which has resulted in young people learning the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship and working hard while having fun! Her personality, and the countless hours committed to this sport and these individuals has resulted in many of the former participants returning to “give back” by volunteering, coaching and even starting careers in the Department while contributing to today’s youth who stand where they once stood. Seeing these former participants become valuable citizens in our society who pass on what they learned to others is the result of the seeds planted by Peggy. Peggy seemingly knows every participant, coach, parent and volunteer, as she is ALWAYS in the gyms either conducting programs or just observing and supporting. Her actions speak just as loud as her words! Peggy never seeks the spotlight or asks for recognition. Rather, she shows up with a positive attitude and her tremendous knowledge and experience and then shares, teaches and incorporates all she knows, passing knowledge on to the new staff, commissioners, coaches and volunteers. This is leadership. This is dedication. This is Peggy Shaffer. The quality of the basketball programs in Prince George’s County, and the growth and success of the numerous youth who participated and continue to do so, would not be possible without Peggy Shaffer’s involvement.
Herman “Tree” Harried is a former player at legendary Baltimore high school Dunbar and collegiately at Syracuse University. He has dedicated his post-playing career to the kids at Lake Clifton High School where he has impacted thousands of kids both on and off the court. He puts off-court success before on-court, stressing the importance of academics, life skills, discipline, and consequences, and how the game of basketball is just a part of that process that ultimately leads to a successful and fulfilling life.
- 2022 Semifinalists
The Jr. NBA and Positive Coaching Alliance are proud to announce the following 8 coaches as the semifinalists for the 2022 Jr. NBA Coach of the Year award, due to their outstanding integrity, character, and leadership.
These coaches were selected because they have not only been successful in bettering their athletes on the court, but have also shown that their main focus was to make these athletes better people in their communities. They have established and fostered meaningful relationships with their athletes and their families over the years and have incorporated valuable life lessons into every aspect of basketball they coach.
- Executive Voting Panel
Our Executive Voting Panel is comprised of various individuals from the Jr. NBA Leadership Council, NBA league office, and Positive Coaching Alliance. This panel is tasked with providing guidance on the selection of our Coach of the Year finalists and national winner based on their respective basketball knowledge and experience.
Jennifer Azzi is a former basketball coach of the women’s team at the University of San Francisco. She played four years at Stanford University, started her professional career on the San Jose Lasers of the ABL, and went on to play in the WNBA for the Detroit Shock and Utah Starz, now the San Antonio Stars. Azzi is also an Olympic and FIBA world champion. After retiring, Azzi served on the Board of Directors of USA Basketball and was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2016, Azzi publicly came out as gay, announcing her marriage to USF assistant Blair Hardiek at the Anti-Defamation League’s Torch of Liberty Award ceremony.
A former D1 gager, Coach Berran has exceled the past decade as a youth basketball coach and administrator in the Eagan (MN) Athletic Association (EAA). She serves the association President managing all in-house and traveling basketball programs for over 1,000 athletes. Coach Berran’s true philosophy includes, that by being on a team you learn not only the sport, but more importantly life skills that you can carry with you forever. Her success is seen through her on court success, and her off-court positive impact is realized through each of her players’ lives. Carrie was nominated by the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 2017 Coach of the Year and won the National Jr. NBA Coach of the Year.
Growing up in inner city Providence, Kash Cannon used the game of basketball to overcome personal adversity and become the first person in her family to go to college. After a standout career at Northeastern University, Kash chose to pay-it-forward and give back to other girls from her community by providing them the same opportunities she was given through the power of sport. As the Program Director at G3 (Getting Girls in the Game), Kash delivers a youth basketball curriculum that focuses on health and wellness, goal setting and female empowerment. Kash’s program includes a mentoring partnership with female Boston Police officers, college readiness activities, hands-on cooking classes, tutoring from local college athletes and access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Open to all Boston inner city girls, Kash also builds relationships with the mothers of her girls, leveraging the whole family unit when trying to increase healthy outcomes. Kash was nominated by the Boston Celtics for the 2018 Coach of the Year and won the National Jr. NBA Coach of the Year.
Rick Carlisle is the President of the NBA Coaches Association. Carlisle is one of eleven individuals to have won an NBA Championship as both a player (Boston Celtics- 1986) and a Head Coach. Carlisle got his first Head Coaching job in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons in 2001, where he eventually went on to win Coach of The Year honors in 2002. In 2003, Carlisle was hired as the Head Coach of the Indiana Pacers, where he spent four seasons. In 2007, Carlisle resigned as Head Coach and Executive Vice-President of the Indiana Pacers and began working as a studio analyst for ESPN. In 2008 Carlisle was hired as Head Coach of the Dallas Mavericks, where he eventually went on to win the NBA Championship in 2011 over the Miami Heat. In November of 2015, Carlisle became the winningest Coach in Dallas Mavericks history and in December of 2017, Carlisle recorded his 700th win against the Los Angeles Clippers, becoming the 18th coach in NBA history to reach the milestone. He now joins San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich and Los Angeles Clippers’ Doc Rivers as the only active coaches to reach 700 wins. Carlisle is on pace to pass John MacLeod (707 wins) at 17th place for all time wins as a coach. In 2021, Rick Carlisle was hired as the Head Coach of the Indiana Pacers.
Rick, and his wife, Donna, have a daughter, Abby. Carlisle enjoys golf, piano and spending time with family, which includes two dogs, Moe Norman and Zoe.
Jason Collins is a Stanford University graduate and 13-year veteran of the NBA who played for New Jersey, Memphis, Minnesota, Atlanta, Boston, Washington, and Brooklyn and who went to two NBA Finals. Off the court, he was inducted into the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame and serves as an NBA Cares Ambassador, furthering the league’s efforts to address social issues. Collins made history after the 2012-13 season, becoming the first active male athlete from one of the four major North American professional team sports to come out as gay.
Coach Keela Doerue is a 7th-grade math teacher who spends her spare time coaching and running an organization made up of 10 teams and growing. This organization, Phoenix Basketball, has the vision to spread the love of basketball and have children progress in skill and gain knowledge of the game while building relationships and families off the court.
Jason is in his 20th year as president of Big Apple Basketball (BAB). He’s responsible for all aspects of its daily operations, including running its basketball training, high school showcases, scholarship games, mentoring programs, academic seminars, consultation and referral services, along with other community events focused on helping student-athletes and families. Jason graduated from St. Michael’s College with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. He was a four-year starter on the men’s basketball team and inducted into the St. Michael’s College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. Last spring, he was inducted into the Cheshire Academy Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2019, Curry was recognized as the Junior Knicks Coach of the Year, and named the National Jr. NBA Coach of the Year.
Jason Sacks is PCA’s Chief Development Officer, co-leading the organization and overseeing all fundraising activities, as well as PCA’s partnerships with professional sports leagues, national governing bodies and national youth sports organizations. Prior to joining PCA, Jason worked in the Basketball Operations Department for the New York Knicks during the 2005-06 season. He served as an assistant coach for the Men’s Basketball Team at New York University, while completing his Masters Degree in Sports Management. His other previous coaching stops include Egg Harbor Township High School (NJ) and Perspectives Charter High School (Chicago). With an undergraduate degree from Syracuse University, Jason now serves as an adjunct instructor for Northwestern University’s Masters of Sports Administration Program.
- Gallery
View GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView Gallery
View GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView GalleryView Gallery
