{"id":737796,"date":"2022-02-09T17:17:17","date_gmt":"2022-02-09T22:17:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/?p=737796"},"modified":"2022-03-07T10:25:18","modified_gmt":"2022-03-07T15:25:18","slug":"drew-valentine-loyola-bca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/the-magazine\/drew-valentine-loyola-bca\/","title":{"rendered":"Drew Valentine is Ready to Carry Loyola\u2019s Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SLAM<\/em> has partnered with the Black Coaches Association <\/a>on a content series that will spotlight Black coaches from every level<\/em>. To learn more about the past and present of the BCA, and to register as a member of the BCA, click here<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Valentine brothers always pushed each other to be the best versions of themselves. Ever since they were young, if Drew would drop 20 in a game during an AAU tournament, Denzel would take it upon himself to score 25. Competing against one another got intense from time to time, too, but at the end of the day, they just wanted to make each other proud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s always been a leader,\u201d Denzel Valentine says of his brother, who is two years older. \u201cPeople have always looked up to him because of his ability to motivate and relate. I\u2019ve experienced a lot through the game of basketball and he\u2019s a big reason for that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Growing up in Lansing, MI, the two were standouts at Sexton High School and were coached by their father, Carlton. Drew was a two-sport athlete; he averaged 15.5 points and 11.9 rebounds per game as a junior, earning all-state honors, and then did his thing on the football field as a two-year starting QB. He also served as captain of both teams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Denzel solidified himself as<\/a> the No.1 player in the state and was nationally-ranked as a shooting guard. Due to injury, the brothers played only three games together in high school, but that wouldn\u2019t be the last time they\u2019d be together on the same squad. Drew went on to play at Oakland for four years and led the Golden Grizzlies to two NCAA tournament appearances, finishing 4th all-time in defensive rebounds (480) and 8th in offensive rebounds (232). Meanwhile, Denzel suited up at Michigan State, where he\u2019d eventually earn first-team All-American honors and win AP Player of the Year in 2016.

<\/strong>After college, Drew pursued a career in coaching and joined Tom Izzo\u2019s coaching staff in 2013 as a graduate manager, putting him on the same team as his brother. During the summer, they\u2019d train together, too, with Drew putting Denzel through workouts. Looking back, they both say that those sessions are some of the most cherished moments of their individual basketball journeys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThose moments were special, man,\u201d says Denzel, who is currently suiting up for the Maine Celtics, Boston\u2019s G League affiliate. \u201cHe really knows how to get the best out of people. The best coaches are life-teachers and Drew is great at teaching the game of basketball and the game of life, and will only get better as he gets more experience with both.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>
View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/a>

A post shared by Drew Valentine (@coachdrewlu)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>