It baffles me sometimes.

Every season, I see high school player rankings. I see statewide team rankings. I read scouting reports breaking down shot mechanics, athleticism, IQ, and upside. And truthfully? I don’t see anything wrong with that. That kind of critique helps players grow and helps evaluators, fans, and media stay informed.

But I think it’s time we bring something else to the table. Something equally important—something often overlooked by the casual basketball junkie and even some serious scouts.

What about the coaches?

Have we ever paused to rank or evaluate the people who lead these programs—the men and women who pour into our youth, build cultures, shift mindsets, and develop more than just talent?

To coach at the high school level is to carry a heavy responsibility. When you take on the role of leading young men or women, you’re not just drawing up plays or managing rotations—you’re shaping futures. You’re managing adversity, personalities, parents, academics, and expectations. You’re asked to win while also teaching life.

Why Coaches Deserve to Be Ranked, Too

This isn’t about win-loss records alone. This isn’t a slight to any coach in the city. It’s about recognizing the full weight of what coaching really entails. When I think about which coaches should be highlighted, these are the areas I believe deserve attention:

• Talent Evaluation – Knowing not just who can play, but who fits.
• System and Role Definition – Putting players in positions to succeed.
• Culture Building – Creating chemistry, trust, and shared responsibility.
• Communication – Knowing how to reach a team, not just coach them.
• Adaptability – Making real-time adjustments during tough stretches of the season.
• Resilience – Building programs from scratch or revamping broken systems.

In Las Vegas, we’ve got some coaches who’ve done just that—and then some. They’ve taken programs that had no direction and stripped them down to the studs. They’ve laid foundations. They’ve built infrastructures. They’ve revived school pride and, in some cases, reshaped entire basketball cultures.

So in that spirit, here are my personal top five coaches in the city of Las Vegas. No particular order. No politics. Just respect.

* In a sports landscape that too often celebrates short-term success and viral moments, Karen Weitz of Centennial High School represents everything that’s right about high school athletics. Her resume is filled with titles and accolades, but her real legacy is the culture she’s built—a standard that outlasts talent cycles and transcends gender lines.

She’s not just the most decorated coach in Nevada girls’ basketball history—she’s one of the most respected and versatile coaches in all of high school basketball, period.

And in Las Vegas, where stars shine bright and disappear fast, Karen Weitz continues to build something that’s impossible to ignore—and impossible to forget.

* At Clark, Beeten didn’t just coach—he engineered a basketball culture. What was once an overlooked program became a regional powerhouse, earning national attention for its consistency, player development, and competitive edge. State titles followed, and with them came respect across the western U.S.

At Durango, he walked into a program in need of a cultural reset. What followed was a blueprint of structure, accountability, and belief. Within a few short years, Durango became a legitimate 5A contender, returning to relevance under his leadership and producing real results on the court.

* Grant Rice isn’t just a coach—he’s a regional icon who has rewritten the narrative of Nevada high school basketball. Over 22 seasons (2002–2025) at Bishop Gorman, he amassed a 600(+)–117 record, earning him the title of the most successful boys basketball coach in Nevada history, with a career winning percentage of approximately 83.4% .

Under Rice’s leadership, the Gaels have captured 15 state championships, including an unprecedented nine consecutive Class 5A titles from 2012 through 2020 basketball.realgm.com+15reviewjournal.com+15anythingforsports.com+15. In the process, Gorman turned into a nationally recognized program, known for its packed arenas, elite opponent scheduling, and placement of 74 Division I athletes out of 151 scholarship winners over four years .

Rice built more than a winning team—he built a culture of excellence. As head coach and athletic director, he spearheaded high-caliber AAU events, including the Tarkanian Classic and Big Time, positioning Gorman as a hub for elite competition.

His coaching philosophy is built on three pillars:

• Composure & Character – Rice leads with quiet confidence and a deep interest in players’ well-being, on and off the court .
• Relentless Effort – “Go hard” isn’t a slogan—it’s the standard at Gorman, in workouts, practices, and gamesstack.com.
• Family Culture – Known for humility, Rice fosters strong team bonds and shares credit with his players and staff.

Community, players, and local media alike echo the same sentiment: Bishop Gorman under Grant Rice isn’t just winning—it’s setting the bar. From packed gym floors to life-changing opportunities for student-athletes, his impact defines modern Las Vegas basketball.

Rice didn’t just win games—he built a dynasty, elevated a region, and shaped generations. And that is exactly the kind of legacy that endures.

🚨 YOUNG IMPACT COACHES ON THE RISE: CHANGING THE CULTURE AND THE GAME IN LAS VEGAS:

* In his short time at Mojave, KeJuan Clark has cemented himself as a defensive architect, community connector, and culture shifter.

• He delivered the school’s first boys state title, powered by a trademark “controlled chaos” that defines his teams.
• He transformed the program into a defensive powerhouse, instilling intensity, belief, and accountability.
• His ~63% win rate reflects rapid growth, rebuilding a team known for its fight.
• And perhaps most importantly, his leadership elevated not just the program—but the pride of North Las Vegas as a whole.

Clark hasn’t just won games—he’s reshaping Mojave’s basketball identity and setting the standard for Rattler basketball for years to come.

* Coach Julius Barren has achieved something rare—and profoundly impactful—in West Las Vegas. In just a few seasons, he’s:

• Elevated Democracy Prep from a low-level program to 5A state contenders, armed with a defense-first identity.
• Guided the team to a 23–4 record, culminating in a hard-fought trip to the 2025 state title game.
• Built a tight-knit, purpose-driven culture that galvanizes players and community alike.
• Demonstrated a deep-rooted community bond, helping students see themselves as part of a larger legacy.

His true winning percentage sits north of 80% in recent seasons, but Barren’s legacy is about more than stats—it’s about belief, breakthrough, and building something lasting in West Las Vegas.