Our coaches are carefully interviewed and approved by the club and then provided with numerous hours of basketball skills training. In addition, every Wildcats coach is screened by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). Our coaches must possess knowledge and love of basketball, but, more important, they must demonstrate a commitment to providing their players with a positive, character-building sports experience based on encouragement and respect.
Meet Our Wildcats Coaches & Trainers
Steve SousaWildcats President
Founder of Wildcats Development League
Founder of Junior Wildcats
Steve Sousa joined the Wildcats coaching staff eleven years ago, bringing over 27 years of coaching basketball at the middle and high school level. For the past twelve years he has been involved with all levels of Wildcats, including the introduction of Junior Wildcats and Wildcats Development League. Coach Sousa was the Head Freshman, Head JV and then Assistant Varsity coach for Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose from 1994-2000. After relocating to Davis in 2001 he assisted numerous local Junior High and High schools throughout Yolo County before settling on Wildcats. Steve lives in Davis with his wife Patti and sons Sam and Nick. Fun Fact: Coach Steve has some killer dance moves!
Steve Smith
5th Grade Boys Head Coach
6th Grade Boys Head Coach
8th Grade Boys Head Coach
Steve Smith is a former all-conference UCD Aggie basketball player who has been coaching varsity high school basketball in the Sacramento area since 1997. He started his coaching career in 1994 as the 5th grade coach at St. James school. Coach Smith has been an elementary school teacher in the Natomas Unified School district since 1998 and has been the head varsity coach at both of Natomas' high schools. He is originally from Oakland, Califormia where he played high school basketball at Bishop O'Dowd and participated in two state championship games in three years on varsity. He has also worked with UCD basketball and trained athletes at the high school, college and professional levels. Fun Fact: Coach Smith considers himself a better cook than he was a basketball player.
Marc Ross
7th Grade Boys Head Coach
Marc Ross loves basketball and coaching. He played basketball at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee and also has an MBA from UC Davis. Marc has been as assistant coach for Dixon high School basketball and has coached youth baseball and basketball the past few years. He works in commercial real estate and lives in Davis with his wife Syreeta and his sons, Cooper and Tyler. Fun Fact: Marc grew 6 inches the summer before his Sophomore year of high school!!
TRAINERS
Darius Graham prides himself in providing elite level skill set and knowledge while most importantly instilling confidence in kids both on the court and in life. He graduated from UC Davis with the following D-I era career rankings: No. 2 in assists (418), No. 6 in free throws made (200), No. 7 in threepoint field goals made (125), No. 9 in points (923) and No. 10 in field goals made (299). Graham is the third player in the program's all-time history to collect 400 or more assists.
