Campbell Hall High names former UCLA assistant David Grace its boys’ basketball coach
David Grace’s coaching motto, one he’s built into his very own podcast, is simple: “Do more with your 24.”
The newest head coach at Campbell Hall High, as announced Friday morning by athletic director Kris King, Grace wants to bring that mentality to a program that’s spun its wheels for the better part of four seasons.
“We’ll probably run it like a college program, because that’s what I’m used to,” Grace said.
Grace was an assistant coach at UCLA for five years before the school opted not to renew his contract. Seven months after his departure, he was named in a federal basketball corruption investigation. UCLA officials told The Times they didn’t believe Grace’s phone calls referenced in the investigation indicated any improper conduct. A Times investigation recently found the FBI probe ultimately didn’t lead to major changes within college basketball and failed to generate meaningful charges against most of those initially accused of crimes.
After leaving UCLA, Campbell worked as an assistant at Cal and Vanderbilt, where he helped recruit Sierra Canyon’s Scotty Pippen Jr. and KJ Martin. Most recently, he served as the head coach at Centennial High in Arizona, a powerhouse high school program that went 18-11 last season.
Grace played a major role in helping UCLA develop some of the best recruiting classes in the country during his tenure, including future NBA players Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, Kevon Looney and Norman Powell. He began his coaching career at the AAU level, most notably overseeing future pros while leading teams affiliated with the Compton Magic.
A Times investigation reveals new details about a probe into NCAA men’s college basketball and misconduct by the lead FBI agent in Vegas.
King and Campbell Hall’s sports information manager did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Grace’s hire. In the announcement, King wrote, “With David’s experience at renowned college programs and his skill development success with middle and high school players, we are confident that David will build upon our culture and lead our program both on and off the court.”
Grace is particularly familiar with Campbell Hall after recruiting Aaron Holiday, a former local standout and brother of fellow Campbell Hall alumni-turned-pros Jrue and Justin Holiday, to UCLA during his tenure. His hire comes at a pivotal moment in the basketball program’s future, which could become a major name in Southern California.
Bryce James, the son of LeBron James and brother of Bronny James who earned sparse playing time at Sierra Canyon as a sophomore, is widely expected to transfer to Campbell Hall. The move would inject a wave of attention to a basketball program that’s hovered around .500 during the last four seasons. As of now, however, the younger James remains enrolled at Sierra Canyon.
If James were in fact to arrive at Campbell Hall — alongside rumors Chris Paul’s son in the class of 2027, Chris Jr., might enroll — Grace does have background working with high-profile talent, having recruited and coached Ball and Shaquille O’Neal’s son, Shareef. Campbell Hall will ostensibly return junior standouts Aaron Powell, who averaged 17.2 points a game, Aliaun Iscandari and Tanner Jones.
“I want to win championships, so we’re going to always scrub the processes in preparing for our kids to win championships,” Grace said. “So, that’s what I bring to the table, and just a work ethic.”
In March, former Campbell Hall coach Steve Tolbert told The Times’ Eric Sondheimer that he resigned and wasn’t forced out with the expected arrival of James. Tolbert continues working at the school.
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