Bishop Gorman head coach Grant Rice calls out to players during a game against Coronado at the Cox Pavilion at UNLV Friday, Jan. 24, 2020.
Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020 | 11:58 p.m.
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Grant Rice will tell you he isn’t the best high school basketball coach in Nevada. Somehow, he has stuck to that narrative over the years, which gets harder to sell each season as the Bishop Gorman High team he coaches has won eight consecutive state championships in becoming a national brand.
Even though he’s won 12 championships, coached McDonald’s All-Americans and developed NBA players — and on Thursday captured his 500th career win — Rice says the accolades solely don’t belong with him.
Rather, it’s his assistants who are the brains behind the operation, he insists. Seconds later, he’s raving about the players he coached over the years, the likes of CJ Watson, Shabazz Muhammad and Zach Collins, and explaining how they also deserve a majority of the credit.
That’s partially true, but still a disservice to Rice, who grabbed No. 500 with an 80-61 victory against Durango in the Desert Region championship game to earn a spot in next week’s state semifinals.
“I have had a great situation for 19 years at Bishop Gorman High School,” Rice said. “Stability is what it is all about.”
Mike Wright has been on his staff every season and is the mastermind behind the defense, Domingo Rivera came aboard in the second year, and even freshman coach Ryan Pietranton has been there since Rice started in 2002. Rich Thornton, a Gorman grad like Wright, handles the offense. They are part of a support system Rice says is second-to-none.
That first season, when Rice was just 26 years old, Gorman posted a 28-6 record and won the state championship. Only once in 19 seasons has he not won more than 20 games, and in eight seasons they’ve been nationally ranked. He’s only lost 102 games, and this season the Gaels are 26-3. Not bad for someone who is only 45.
“It is just chemistry. He keeps a good relationship with all of his players,” said Braden Lamar, a Gorman senior who had 17 points in the win against Durango. “Everyone loves each other like a family, and I think that is what helps us play well together as a team.”
This season is one of Rice’s best coaching jobs.
Despite losing three of their expected top six players, the Gaels are still the runaway favorites to win state next week in Reno. It helps having the services of players like Will McClendon, a UCLA commit who buried four first-half 3-pointers against Durango.
Rice is a master of developing players, whether that’s taking McClendon or standout guard Zaon Collins, and helping them become bluechip recruits, or elevating the game of other players who are full of potential with the right teaching.
Take forward Mwani Wilkinson, who went from a reserve at the start of last season to a top-50 recruit and LSU commit. Or Lamar, who has been Gorman’s unsung hero for his efforts in the post at just 6-foot-5, or junior Jonathan Braggs, who has emerged in the last month.
“Everyone knew Zaon, Will and Mwani would be the guys,” Rice said. “I can’t say enough about Braden Lamar and Johnny Braggs filling in and becoming big-time players. They are both averaging double digits. Johnny is one of our best defensive players, and Braden is averaging eight rebounds per game.”
Rice could easily have an ego or be arrogant, and who would blame him? He’s won more than all of the other coaches in town combined.
Yet, he’s down to earth and humble, someone many in the local basketball community consider a friend because he’s constantly advocating for Las Vegas kids. He launched the Tarkanian Classic, which, each December, gives Southern Nevada schools a top-notch tournament to compete in without the burden of paying to travel.
He doesn't hesitate to recommend players from other schools to college recruiters, and he gladly takes the time to meet with a new coach in town to share tricks of the trade. More times than not, he’ll even offer to buy dinner.
Bishop Gorman basketball coach Grant Rice celebrates with his wife, Brooke, after winning his 500th career game Feb. 20, 2020, in the Desert Regional championship game against Durango.
Players jumped up and down with their coach in celebration after the game, cheerleaders and fans held signs with 500 on them, and his wife brought balloons. It was a moment nearly two decades in the making, and one he was grateful to share with loved ones, yet embarrassed that everyone was making such a fuss.
If anything, he’s consistent. He insists the night wasn’t about him — it was about his players and assistant coaches. If the Gaels win another championship next week, it will surely be the same narrative.
“It’s a great accomplishment, but our main goal is to win state,” Rice said.
Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21
