Our Coaches

Head Coach · Co-Founder

Darnell Campbell

Recently announced as the new head boys basketball coach at Laguna Blanca, Campbell initially came to Santa Barbara to oversee athletics and mental wellness at Riviera Ridge School. Since his arrival, he has also founded LevelUp, a local youth basketball program built on the belief that skills development coupled with character development are the keys to success for athletes who aspire to play at the next level.

Campbell has provided 1-on-1 player development for NBA stars such as Kyrie Irving, Kyle Korver, Al Jefferson and Jaime Jaquez Jr., while also working with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers.

Coach

Cassandra Gordon

A household name along the Central Coast, Gordon starred at Santa Barbara High, where she was team MVP and All-CIF. In high school she played in the EYBL on Diana Taurasi’s club team. She was recruited by Georgetown University, where she played 28 games as a freshman and sophomore and became a starter in her second year, before finishing her college career at Loyola Marymount University.

Gordon most recently played professionally in Italy before returning home to become a teaching assistant at Vieja Valley Elementary and an assistant coach with the Riviera Ridge girls basketball team.

Coach

JaQuori McLaughlin

McLaughlin established himself as one of the top guards in the Big West during his three seasons at UC Santa Barbara. As a senior, he averaged 16.0 points, 5.2 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game, leading UCSB to the Big West regular-season and tournament championships. He was named Big West Player of the Year, Big West Tournament MVP and an AP Honorable Mention All-American.

After going undrafted in 2021, he signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks and appeared in four NBA games. He continued his professional career in the NBA G League, New Zealand, Indonesia and Australia.

Assistant Coach

Taylor Adnan

Recently announced as the new boys basketball coach at Laguna Blanca Middle School, Adnan is a San Marcos High graduate and Central Coast native. He is also the CEO of Rad Sourcing, a U.S.-based boutique manufacturing firm located in Santa Barbara.

“I wanted to be involved with the grassroots nature of what is going on with the organization, as we can provide opportunities where maybe the athlete and their families couldn’t otherwise afford the time and expense of the commitment. With this new venture, we find ways to include everyone.”