Grâce Lokole
| Niagara River Lions | |
|---|---|
| Position | Head coach |
| League | NBL Canada |
| Personal information | |
| Born |
1989 (age 26–27) DR Congo |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight | 168 lb (76 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school |
Notre Dame College School (Welland, Ontario) |
| College | Guelph (2009–2010) |
| Coaching career | 2015–present |
| Career history | |
| As coach: | |
| 2014–2015 | Niagara College (asst.) |
| 2015–2016 | Niagara River Lions (asst.) |
| 2016–present | Niagara River Lions |
Grâce Lokole is a Canadian professional basketball coach, currently serving as the head coach for the Niagara River Lions of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL).
Early life
Lokole was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At age four, his family moved to Dallas, Texas. When he was 15 years old, they moved to Welland, Ontario. He later attended Notre Dame College School in Welland.[1]
College career
Lokole would attend the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. He played one season of college basketball with the Gryphons in 2009. Lokole played four games, averaging one point, one rebound, and 0.3 assists. He scored a career-best three points in a loss to Ottawa.[2]
Coaching career
In 2014, Lokole became an assistant coach under Keith Vassell at Niagara College.[3] For the following season, Lokole joined the coaching staff for the Niagara River Lions of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL) under head coach and general manager Ken Murray.[4] On February 20, 2016, he was promoted to head coach after Murray resigned from his position.[5]
Personal life
Following college, Lokole began writing about basketball for multiple different media outlets. As a result, he drew the attention of Top Prospects Canada CEO Shomari Williams and began working for them. With Top Prospects, Lokole attended many tournaments expanded his knowledge of Canadian basketball. This helped him eventually land an assistant coaching job at Niagara College. Lokole also returned to his high school to contribute to its basketball program.[6]
References
- ↑ Puchalski, Bernie. "Grace under pressure". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ↑ "Grace Lokole". OUA.ca. Ontario University Athletics. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ↑ "Grace Lokole". GoKnights.ca. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ↑ Puchalski, Bernie. "River Lions axe head coach coach/GM". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ↑ Puchalski, Bernie. "Coach adds veteran savvy to River Lions bench". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ↑ Latour, Matt. "Coach Profile: Grâce Lokole". NBLCNET. Retrieved 10 April 2016.