Drew Valentine and his brother, Denzel Valentine, share an everlasting love for sports. While Drew is making history as a basketball coach, his brother is breaking records as a player.
The Valentine brothers hail from an athletic family, which, in turn, ignited their passion for sports. Coached by their father from an early age, they are now making waves in the world of basketball.
Drew Valentine is the head coach of the Loyola Ramblers men’s basketball team at Loyola University Chicago, a position he has held since 2021.
Valentine played as a forward at Oakland University from 2009 to 2013, after which he transitioned into a coach.
The American basketball coach began his career as a graduate manager at Michigan State between 2013 and 2015.
After two seasons with the state, he served as an assistant coach at Oakland University, his alma mater.
Initially joining as an assistant coach at Loyola-Chicago in 2017, he later assumed the position as a head coach.
Moreover, upon his hiring, he was the youngest head coach in NCAA Division I men’s basketball, having been hired at age 29.
Drew Valentine Brother, Denzel Valentine
Born November 16, 1993, Denzel Valentine is two years younger than his brother, Drew Valentine.
Valentine’s younger brother Denzel is an American professional basketball player for the Sydney Kings of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL).
The J.W. Sexton High School graduate began his career early, often coached by his father and inspired by his brother.
Moreover, Denzel played collegiate basketball at Michigan State University, where he established himself as a team’s pivotal member.
Through his exceptional agility and skill, he secured numerous Player of the Year awards from prestigious organizations, including NBC Sports, Basketball Times, NABC, and USA Today.
His collegiate accomplishments, in turn, transformed him from a potential undrafted player to a prominent pick in the NBA Draft.
The Chicago Bulls drafted him as the 14th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He played with the team through 2021 and later signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Besides these, Denzel has left an inedible mark with two other teams, including Utah Jaz and Maine Celtics.
In addition, he was even a member of the USA Basketball senior men’s national team at the 2015 Pan American Games, where the team earned the bronze medal.
Interestingly, aside from his playing career, Denzel is also a rapper, having released his first album in February 2021.
All About The Coach Parents
A native of Lansing, Michigan, Drew Valentine was born on May 25, 1991, to his parents, Carlton and Kathy Valentine.
His mother, Kathy, is a retired educator, having spent three decades teaching in the East Lansing Public Schools.
Likewise, Drew’s father, Carlton, is an avid fan of basketball who transformed his kids into basketball standouts.
The graduate of DeMatha Catholic High School played collegiate basketball at Michigan State from 1984-88.
During his collegiate years, he led the team to the NCAA Tournament twice and captioned the team during his senior year.
Nevertheless, currently, he is the Boys Varsity Head Basketball coach at Lansing Sexton High School.
