Your Classes
Senior Coach - Founder
Denzel James
At the core of our grassroots, skill-based curriculum is the expertise and leadership of Coach Denz. A visionary in player development, Coach Denz brings a wealth of experience and a dynamic approach to teaching, blending technical precision with an engaging and inclusive atmosphere. His meticulously designed drills and progressive skill-building techniques are tailored to challenge and inspire athletes of all abilities, fostering both confidence and growth. Coach Denz's credentials are a testament to his dedication and impact on the game. As the all-time leading scorer for MacEwan University, he set a standard of excellence that carried over to his professional career, playing in Ontario and Spain. Formerly serving as an Assistant Coach for the Edmonton Stingers, he continues to mentor athletes at the highest levels of competition. Known for his exceptional ability to connect with players from diverse backgrounds and skill levels, Coach Denz combines his technical expertise with an innate understanding of player psychology to bring out the best in every individual. With a rare blend of knowledge, experience, and approachability, Coach Denz is the cornerstone of our program, consistently elevating athletes, other coaches, and fostering a passion for the game.
Senior Coach - Founder
Greg Sutherland
Greg brings a unique blend of professional expertise and lifelong passion for basketball to our program. An Environmental Scientist specializing in oil and gas reclamation and remediation, Greg applies his technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to restore impacted environments and ensure sustainable land use. His work involves designing and executing comprehensive remediation plans to address environmental impacts caused by industrial activities. He has successfully managed projects with scopes ranging from simple $500 site assessments to his most recent large-scale remediation effort valued at $1.96 million. In his professional role, Greg demonstrates exceptional project management and analytical skills, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, overseeing field operations, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Whether working on smaller sites or complex, multi-million-dollar projects, Greg brings the same level of dedication and precision, delivering efficient and cost-effective solutions for his clients. His ability to navigate challenges, communicate effectively with stakeholders, and deliver measurable outcomes highlights his expertise and commitment to environmental stewardship. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Greg developed a deep love for basketball at a very young age. This passion carried him through years of dedicated play in junior high, high school, and the Edmonton Basketball Association’s (EBA) men’s league, where he honed his skills, cultivated his understanding of the sport, and fell in love with the statistics fueling modern sports. Leveraging his analytical mindset to delve into the numbers behind the game, he excels at breaking down advanced metrics, identifying trends, and using data to evaluate player performance and team dynamics. His ability to interpret complex statistics and translate them into actionable insights has made him a trusted resource for players and coaches looking to refine their strategies. Greg’s combination of professional discipline, enduring enthusiasm, and technical expertise for the sport makes him a valuable contributor to our team, embodying the values of perseverance, teamwork, and a genuine passion for the game.
Manager - Business
Andrel Wisdom
Andrel brings a wealth of business acumen and a lifelong passion for basketball to his role in supporting the Youth Hoops leadership team. As a seasoned commercial real estate professional with over a decade of experience, he specializes in valuing global investment portfolios exceeding $20 billion. While his career centers on real estate, Andrel’s connection to basketball—cultivated during his high school playing days and sustained through recreational play—deepens his commitment to the Youth Hoops' mission of empowering young athletes. At Youth Hoops, Andrel provides strategic guidance to help the team achieve its goals and deliver impactful programs that foster leadership and personal growth. His dedication to youth development extends beyond the association through his co-founding of the REET Institute, a social impact initiative aimed at educating and training young people about career opportunities in commercial real estate. By offering mentorship, training, and scholarships, the institute equips aspiring professionals with the tools and resources needed to build successful futures. Andrel is proud to support Youth Hoops in inspiring and developing the next generation of leaders—both on and off the court—by combining his professional expertise and personal passion for making a positive impact.
Manager - Operations
David Fletcher
David brings an impressive breadth of experience in community development, social work, and basketball leadership to his role at Youth Hoops Basketball. Over the past decade, he has cultivated a distinguished career dedicated to fostering community connections, empowering youth, and driving impactful programs. His journey includes over five years of facilitating impactful community initiatives within Social Planning departments. In addition, he served as a Grants Coordinator where he managed funding programs to support mental health initiatives, and as a Neighbourhood Resource Coordinator where he worked to strengthen community engagement and collaboration. Through these roles, David has honed his skills in mentorship, program coordination, and youth empowerment. A lifelong basketball enthusiast, David’s passion for the game was ignited during his middle school years and continued through college and Men’s Leagues in Red Deer and Edmonton. His personal experiences as a player and avid follower of the NBA have shaped his approach to mentorship, emphasizing not only skill development and teamwork but also personal growth and resilience. David’s leadership is a reflection of his professional expertise, passion for basketball, and unwavering commitment to community building. As an integral member of Youth Hoops Basketball, he is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of athletes while fostering meaningful connections throughout Edmonton. Through his work, David aims to cultivate confident, well-rounded individuals who thrive both on and off the court.
