Drew Valentine and his brother, Denzel Valentine, have a lifelong passion for athletics. While Drew is creating history as a basketball coach, his brother is setting new marks as a player. The Valentine brothers come from an athletic background, which fueled their enthusiasm for sports. They are currently making waves in the world of basketball, having been coached by their father since they were very little. Drew Valentine has been the head coach of the Loyola Ramblers men’s basketball team at Loyola University Chicago since 2021.
Valentine played forward for Oakland University from 2009 until 2013, after which he became a coach. From 2013 to 2015, the American basketball coach worked as a graduate manager at Michigan State. Following two seasons with the state, he worked as an assistant coach at Oakland University, his alma school. He started as an assistant coach at Loyola-Chicago in 2017 before becoming the head coach. Furthermore, he became the youngest head coach in NCAA Division I men’s basketball when he was appointed at the age of 29.
Drew Valentine’s Brother, Denzel Valentine
Denzel Valentine was born on November 16, 1993, and is two years younger than his brother, Drew Valentine. Denzel, Valentine’s younger brother, is an American professional basketball player with the Sydney Kings in the Australian National Basketball League. The J.W. Sexton High School graduate started his profession early, frequently being tutored by his father and encouraged by his brother.
Furthermore, Denzel played college basketball at Michigan State University, where he established himself as a key player. He won multiple Player of the Year accolades from major organizations such as NBC Sports, Basketball Times, NABC, and USA Today due to his outstanding mobility and talent. His college performances, in turn, elevated him from a possible undrafted player to a top choice in the NBA Draft. The Chicago Bulls selected him with the 14th overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft. He was with the club until 2021 and then joined with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Aside from these, Denzel has made an indelible impression on two more clubs, the Utah Jazz and the Maine Celtics. In addition, he was a part of the USA Basketball senior men’s national team in the 2015 Pan American Games, where they won bronze. Interestingly, Denzel is also a rapper, having published his first album in February 2021.
All About The Coach’s Parents
Drew Valentine, a resident of Lansing, Michigan, was born on May 25, 1991, to Carlton and Kathy Valentine. His mother, Kathy, is a retired schoolteacher who taught at East Lansing Public Schools for three decades. Similarly, Drew’s father, Carlton, is an enthusiastic basketball lover who has turned his children into basketball stars. DeMatha Catholic High School alumni played college basketball at Michigan State from 1984 to 1988.
During his undergraduate career, he led the squad to two NCAA Tournament appearances and captained the team during his senior year. Nonetheless, he presently coaches the Boys Varsity Basketball team at Lansing Sexton High School.
