coaching team
MIKE BARTON
HEAD OF COACHING, ON-COURT TRUELEAGUE DIRECTOR
HOMETOWN
Daly City, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Menlo College
COACHING EXPERIENCE
3rd year at Team Esface, 2nd year as Assistant Coach at Menlo College, College of San Mateo (5 years Assistant Coach), Junipero Serra HS (4 years Junior Varsity Head Coach, 1 year Varsity Assistant)
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
Westmoor HS, Cañada College, Menlo College
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Michael Jordan
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Success isn’t owned, it’s leased and rent is due every day.” - JJ Watt
JOHN BESSE
HOMETOWN
San Mateo, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Chapman University
COACHING EXPERIENCE
1st year coaching at Team Esface, Serra High School (2 years varsity assistant)
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
Serra (State Champions), University of the Pacific (D1 baseball), Cañada College (1 year Junior College) and Chapman University (3 years D3 basketball)
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Tom Chambers and Jimmy Butler
FAVORITE QUOTE
“You don't have to be the tallest, fastest, or the strongest - but you do have to be the hardest worker. Champions aren't made in games; they're made in practice, in the extra reps, in the moments when no one is watching. ”
PRESTON LE GASSICK
HOMETOWN
Gold Coast, Australia
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Menlo College, Chowan University
COACHING EXPERIENCE
1st year coaching at Team Esface, Assistant Varsity Coach
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
Menlo College (1st year), Chowan University (3 years D2)
FAVORITE ATHLETE
LeBron James
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Never give up!”
NILES MACK
HOMETOWN
Detroit, MI
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2nd year coaching at Team Esface, Skyhawks Sports Academy (1 year Youth Coach)
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
East Detroit HS
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Hard work beats talent.”
MASIE MOHAMMADI
HOMETOWN
San Carlos, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Vanguard University, Corban University
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2nd year coaching at Team Esface, 1st year Assistant Coach at Skyline College
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
Serra HS (All-WCAL Selection), Skyline College (First team all conference and all state, All-Time Leader in 3’s in a Season), Vanguard/Corban (3 National Tournament appearances, led team in made threes)
MICHAEL McDERMOTT
HOMETOWN
Palo Alto, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Dartmouth College
COACHING EXPERIENCE
1st year coaching at Team Esface, Bay Area’s One on One Basketball Program
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
The Episcopal Academy (Received the “Mr. Attitude Award”, the top award at Jay Wright’s Villanova Basketball Camp)
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Kobe Bryant
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Everything negative in life- pressure, challenges- is all just an opportunity for you to rise.” - Kobe Bryant
SUHAIL MOHAMMADI
HOMETOWN
San Carlos, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Fresno Pacific University
COACHING EXPERIENCE
4th year coaching at Team Esface, 2nd year Assistant Coach at Skyline College
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
Carlmont HS (2 time League MVP), Foothill College, Fresno Pacific, Afgan National Team
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Allen Iverson
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Put aside personal feelings for one common goal.”
DERICK MORALES
HOMETOWN
Daly City, CA
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2nd year coaching at Team Esface, Private trainer
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
Jefferson HS
FAVORITE ATHLETES
Jason Richardson, Kevin Garnett, and Manu Ginobili
FAVORITE QUOTE
“The days that you don’t feel the greatest, are the same days that will make you your greatest.”
HAGOP NAZARETHIAN
HOMETOWN
San Francisco, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Menlo College
COACHING EXPERIENCE
1st year coaching at Team Esface
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Kevin Durant
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.”
BRANDON REEVES
HOMETOWN
Berkeley, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Santa Clara University
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2nd year coaching at Team Esface, Berkeley High School (Varsity Basketball Summer Camp), 1 on 1 Player Development for Varsity High School Starters and youth, Richmond Police Athletic League (Coached and Mentored ages 16-24), Consultation for California High School Varsity Coaches
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
Berkeley HS (Varsity), Berkeley Young Adult Projects (2x City League Champion), MVP Flight - Walnut Creek (2x City League Champion), Pro-am at Kezar Stadium
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Kobe Bryant and Rajon Rondo
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Stay Ready, Never Get Ready.”
KAREEM ROWE
HOMETOWN
Reno, NV
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Menlo College, Southwestern Oregon Community College
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2024 Esface Summer Hoop Camps
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
5 year Collegiate Athlete
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Carmelo Anthony, Demarcus Cousins, Draymond Green, and The King (Lebron James)
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Compete with Respect.”
RILEY ROBINSON
HOMETOWN
San Bernardino, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Menlo College
COACHING EXPERIENCE
PGC Basketball
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
Menlo College (2023-2024 GSAC Freshman of the Year), Cajon HS (4 year All-League)
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Carmelo Anthony, Demarcus Cousins, Draymond Green, and The King (Lebron James)
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Compete with Respect.”
TARAN SINGH
HOMETOWN
Hayward, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
San Jose State
COACHING EXPERIENCE
3rd year coaching at Team Esface, CYO Coach
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
College of San Mateo, Antelope Valley (CalPac Champion)
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Kyrie Irving and Stephen Curry
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard”
LANDON SEAMAN
HOMETOWN
Vacaville, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Menlo College
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2nd year coaching at Team Esface, After-school coaching
PLAYER EXPERIENCE
Will C. Wood HS (2x All-League), Menlo College (All-Conference and Player of the Year as a Junior, averaged 20 points and 9 rebounds)
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Blake Griffin
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Confidence is killer, whether it kills your opponent or yourself that’s up for you to decide.”
TODD SINGLETON
HOMETOWN
Severn, MD
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Duke University, Stanford University
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2nd year coaching at Team Esface, Sacred Heart Prep, Summer Youth Leagues
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
Duke University
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Jack Johnson
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” - Matthew 20:26 NIV
OLATUNDE SOBOMEHIN
HOMETOWN
Portland, OR
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Stanford University
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2nd year coaching at Team Esface, Eastside College Prep (4 years Boys Head Coach, 2009 CCS D5 Champions)
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
Stanford University (2003 Most Inspirational Player)
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Muhammed Ali, Chris Paul, Josh Childress, Aaron Miles, Matt Lottich, and Mark Madsen
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Enjoy the process.”
NATE THOMAS
HOMETOWN
San Francisco, CA
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2nd year coaching at Team Esface, Youth Basketball (10 years)
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
Skyline College
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Allen Iverson
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
HQ “FRONT OFFICE” TEAM
DELE SOBOMEHIN
CO-FOUNDER/CEO, DIRECTOR OF COACHING
HOMETOWN
Portland, OR
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Santa Clara University
COACHING EXPERIENCE
16th year leading Team Esface, Training (19 years), Coaching AAU (13 years), Coaching/Leading Camps (19 years, 4 National Titles, 3 Regional All-Net Titles)
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
High School (All-League, Portland Interscholastic League League Champion), Playing and Training with Jeremy Lin (7 years)
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Muhammad Ali
FAVORITE QUOTE
“To whom much is given, much is required.” - Jesus (Luke 12:48)
STEPHANIE EZRATI
HEAD OF OPERATIONS
HOMETOWN
Redwood City, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
UC Santa Cruz, Arizona State University
COACHING EXPERIENCE
University High School (Girl's JV Assistant), Woodside High (Girl's Varsity Assistant)
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
High School (#1 3-point shooter in San Mateo County), UC Santa Cruz
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Sabrina Ionescu, Napheesa Collier, A'ja Wilson, Stephen Curry, Kate Martin
FAVORITE QUOTE
”You don't have to be the tallest, fastest, or the strongest - but you do have to be the hardest worker. Champions aren't made in games; they're made in practice, in the extra reps, in the moments when no one is watching. “
SAM KELLEY
CUSTOMER SUCCESS, BLACK CLUB DIRECTOR
HOMETOWN
Woodside, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
UCLA
COACHING EXPERIENCE
4 years at Team Esface, Canada College (2 years), Founder of UCLA Club Basketball (2 year Player Coach), Sun Valley Community School Middle School Head (2 years)
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
Woodside High School, Santa Barbara City College, UCLA Club Basketball (2 year Captain)
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Stephen Curry
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame.”
CAMERON SCHOTT
ASST DIRECTOR OF COACHING, COLLEGE PREP DIRECTOR, BLACK CLUB COACH
HOMETOWN
San Jose, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
University of Oregon
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Current Assistant Coach at Menlo College, Texas A&M-Commerce (2 years Assistant Coach), Texas A&M (1 year Video Assistant), Northwest Christian (2 years Basketball Operations)
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Stephen Curry
FAVORITE QUOTE
“You have never arrived, but always becoming.”
JAMAL DEGERATTO
TRUELEAGUE & FACILITIES DIRECTOR
HOMETOWN
Chicago, IL
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Western Illinois University
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Church Summer League 2nd-6th Grade
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
High School
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Allen Iverson
FAVORITE QUOTE
“If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
JOSHUA CHIEN
TRANSFORMATION TRAINING/NEO PREP DIRECTOR, BLACK CLUB COACH
HOMETOWN
Shanghai, China
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Stanford University
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2nd year coaching at Team Esface, Active Kidz Shanghai (3 years Head Coach and trainer, 2021 Shanghai Pro-Am Champions with 17U team)
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
Shanghai United International School (2022 SSSBA League Champions, 2023 First Team All-League, Hall of Fame Inaugural Inductee), Stanford Women's Basketball (practice player and manager)
FAVORITE ATHLETE
Steve Nash and Jalen Brunson
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift, that is why we call it present.”
MAX McLELLAN
ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
HOMETOWN
San Carlos, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
San Jose State University, De Anza College
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Private Lessons (2 years), Club Baseball President at SJSU (1 year)
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
Sequoia High School Baseball CCS Champions (2021), SJSU Club Baseball (1 Year), De Anza College (1 year)
FAVORITE ATHLETES
Mookie Betts and Buster Posey
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard”
DAVID PEREZ
BASKETBALL OPERATIONS, BLACK CLUB COACH
HOMETOWN
Chandler, AZ
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Arizona Christian, University of Arizona
COACHING EXPERIENCE
3rd year coaching at Team Esface, Legarza (1 year), Coaching between HS and College (2 years)
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
Arizona Christian University
FAVORITE ATHLETE
LeBron James
FAVORITE QUOTE
“If you quit now, you quit everyday for the rest of your life.” - Don Haskins
TAYLOR TAKAHASHI
ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR, BLACK CLUB COACH
HOMETOWN
Alameda, CA
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Alameda High School (All Time Leading Scorer (2236 points), 3x ACCAL 1st Team All League)
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
Alameda High School (All Time Leading Scorer - 2236 points, 3x ACCAL 1st Team All League)
FAVORITE ATHLETES
LeBron James, Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, Tiger Woods
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Never let fear replace your willingness to run through the wall to find out what's on the other side”
CHUCK BARNES
ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS COORDINATOR, BlACK CLUB COACH
HOMETOWN
Pittsburg, CA
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
Ohlone College, Menlo College
COACHING EXPERIENCE
9th year at Esface (2011-2017, 2018-2020, 2025-)
PLAYER EXPERIENCE/HONORS
De La Salle High School (State Champions), Pittsburg High (6x Player of the month, 1st Team All-League, Most 3’s made in single game (11)), Ohlone College (2 years, #1 Team in the Nation, Final 4), Menlo College (3 years)
FAVORITE ATHLETES
Michael Jordan
FAVORITE QUOTE
“You miss every shot you don’t take”