BASKETBALL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE OF SAN JOSE
MEET THE COACHES
COACH BERT
I grew up in Sacramento and played and coached in various Japanese Leagues. After graduating with a MBA, I moved from Sacramento to San Jose to work for a CPA firm and, later, for Capcom in an executive position. I was not around basketball since I left Sacramento until I started to coach a team at the East Valley YMCA.
After several seasons, I wanted more control over the amount of practice time. Therefore, I with some of the parents decided to form our own league using Mt. Pleasant High School gym. From the Japanese leagues I played and coached in, I adapted a lot of their ideas and techniques to organize BDL.
From the original thirty-two players back in 2005, the league has grown to over 150 players today. This league has been word of mouth because we wanted to limit the number of players, since we have limited resources and the league is made up of volunteers.
One of my favorite player divisions to coach in recent years has been the Rookies. I have been amazed at how well they play at such young ages. I also enjoy talking to many of the original players who comeback to see me. Many are now in college and some of them have even graduated.
A couple of my favorite quotes are from John Wooden, formerly the coach of the UCLA Bruins, “You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you" and “The coach is first of all a teacher.”
COACH CUTUM
I am a former player in BDL since season 1. I started coaching when I outgrew the age limit to participate in the league. I have been coaching consistently since then, which puts me at about 6 years of experience. Just a little background information about myself, I was born and raised here in San Jose and went to San Jose State University graduating with a Business degree in 2013. During my time as a student in college I worked for several organizations that revolved around working with kids. I have worked for Skyhawks sports and the Golden State Warriors Basketball camps. I currently work for the City of San Jose and also serve as the assistant coach for The Harker School Girls Varsity basketball team. I have been with the City of San Jose for almost a year and have been with The Harker School for 5 years. Basketball is my number 1 passion. I love watching kids grow as players and as people. There are a lot of parallels between the game of basketball and how life works. I just hope to uncover and reveal these life lessons to the kids I coach and mentor.
COACH LEANN
Season started: Playing - Season 28 (2010) ; Coaching - Season 41 (2014)
“I volunteer as a coach because I love the sport of basketball as well as working with kids. It’s very rewarding seeing the kids work hard and continue to improve from season to season. My favorite thing about BDL though is seeing the friendships the kids have built with their teammates and the fun they have at BDL together and it is what makes volunteering all worthwhile. The community that BDL has built is so special to see as well as be a part of. I’ve made so many lasting friendships and BDL is like a second family to me.”
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Coach Leann played basketball all through grade school, including playing in Asian leagues, playing on her middle and high school teams and in BDL and currently plays in various adult leagues, including BDL’s adult league.
COACH KIIRA
Coach Kiira started coaching at BDL in 2006. Her playing experience comes from playing basketball for San Jose High School, San Jose State University, and San Jose City College. Her coaching experience includes: Head Coach for Girls’ Varsity at Yerba Buena High School, Head Coach for Girls’ JV at Evergreen Valley High School, Assistant Coach for Girls’ Varsity at Evergreen Valley High School, Head Coach for Girls' Varsity at Notre Dame, and Head Coach for Girls' Varsity at Evergreen Valley High School. She is currently an assistant coach for Girls' Basketball at Harker.
COACH ANGELA
Season started: 2021
“I got pulled in by Coach Kiira after our first practice. Overall, I love being a part of why the kids have grown and improved in their skills. Watching their development and understanding of the game is what makes it worth it. BDL is truly a place where new friendships and extended family are developed, and I love that.”
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Coach Angela has played since middle school, AAU 1 yr., high school, different co-ed leagues, and continues to play in BDL's very own adult league.
COACH BEN
“I volunteer because basketball has always been a big part of my life, and I want to share that passion with the next generation. Coaching gives me the opportunity to help kids build confidence, develop their skills, and learn the value of teamwork. Seeing their growth is what makes it all worthwhile.”
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Coach Ben played basketball all through grade school, and now he enjoys passing on what he learned to the next generation.
COACH DAVIN
“I started to help because of the increasing number of kids in the league, and not having a lot of coaches. I enjoy coaching the kids and seeing them improve and grow from season to season.”
Coach Davin played in high school and is currently still playing in Adult leagues. He has been coaching for almost 24 years, mostly high school boys basketball.
COACH BIA
I have been coaching for almost 3 years and have been playing for BDL since the very first season in 2005. I have played in the juniors, seniors and the adult league. I’ve been playing basketball since I was nine years old beginning at the YMCA then transitioning to BDL when I was eleven years old until now. I played four years of varsity basketball at Silver Creek High School. When I played for Silver Creek High School, during my junior year I was co-captain and received the Offensive Player award and during my senior year, I was co-captain again and received the Most Valuable Player award and the BVAL First Team All League. Aside from my accomplishments as a player, as a coach, I see it as an accomplishment to watch the kids I coach, improve over time. It’s a rewarding feeling knowing that I’m taking part in the kids’ improvement and knowledge as basketball players. The only coaching experience I’ve had has been through BDL coaching the rookie and junior division. I’m coaching mostly because I want to give back to BDL everything that the league has given me all these years – the love and knowledge of the game of basketball, the good memories, and most importantly the people, the coaches who’ve helped grow into the player and person I am today, and the players, who have become some of my greatest friends. I hope that as I coach these kids, they will be able to gain all or some of this through their experiences playing for BDL.
ERNIE GARCIA
I coached at BDL for 6 years and I played for Bert before there even was BDL. I played 3 years of varsity for Mt Pleasant High School. I went from being a bench warmer in middle school to becoming a starter for varsity in high school.
Another big honor and accomplishment is receiving the Hotchkiss award. My coaching experience is only from BDL.
I love basketball, it is my passion. I also enjoy working with kids. Seeing a child get better in basketball is very rewarding. Also, understanding that working hard pays off in anything. I want to instill the love and passion in the kids that I have for this game.
COACH DIEGO
“I volunteered to coach because I have a love for basketball. My children have played for BDL for a few years now, and the opportunity came up for me to coach a team, so I immediately accepted. It’s been fun to be a part of helping the kids grow and develop as basketball players.”
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Coach Diego played middle school basketball, AAU for a few years, and High school basketball.
COACH ANNIE
Season started: 44
“I volunteer because I love the community BDL has built. I don't know any league where they had players who played since elementary school, played all the way up to college, and either still play now in the adult league or coach (or do both). I grew a lot as a player and as a leader because of the opportunities given to me by this league. So, it’s only fair I give back.”
Coach Annie played organized basketball since middle school, all the way up to two years at community college.
COACH BECKY
“My favorite thing about BDL is seeing the kids improve their basketball skills, building confidence, and learning life skills while having fun.”
Coach Becky played basketball in middle school, 4 years high school , and 1 year college in Beijing, China. She is currently playing in the BDL adult league. She has been coaching basketball for 19 years (including middle school teams, Zebra Youth basketball, 9 years of high school basketball, and currently coaching at Notre Dame San Jose).