Derek Fisher named boys basketball coach at Crespi

The 5-time NBA champion takes a shot at high school basketball in one of the toughest leagues in California

Derek Fisher, who won five NBA titles with the LA Lakers as a player, coached the NY Knicks in the NBA and the LA Sparks in the WNBA.

Now, he'll skip college (the opposite way) and try his hand at the high school ranks after being appointed the new boys basketball coach at Encino Crespi in Northern Los Angeles Monday. 

Crespi is where former standouts De'Anthony Melton (USC/76ers), Brandon Williams (Arizona/Trail Blazers) and London Perrantes (Virginia/Cavaliers) prepped.

Former Crespi coach Andrew Moore announced his resignation on July 26 after four seasons at the helm.

Fisher will be a new coach in one of the toughest leagues in California, and arguably the country, when the season starts in November. The Mission League is home to the reigning CIF State Open Division champions Harvard-Westlake and the reigning CIF State Division I champions in Notre Dame, along with the always-talented Sierra Canyon. Programs like St. Francis, Chaminade, Loyola and Alemany are led by some of Southern California's most savvy, well-respected high school coaches.

Crespi's roster has appeal, too. Sophomore point guard Joe Sterling is an elite shooter with a developing game, junior Peyton White is a stretch-four type with a high motor, and other pieces like Stephen Kankole and Malakai Perrantes make essential role players.

However, it remains to be seen if these players will stay at Crespi. Moves like this —  especially with the fall semester of the 2023-24 school year still a few weeks away —  could create ripples in an already transfer-heavy era.

Former NBA guard Derek Fisher coached in the NBA and WNBA. Photo: Dan Hamilton/USA Today / Photo by Dan Hamilton, USA Today

Fisher was selected over finalist Ryan Coleman, a highly-respected coach at Shalhevet High in Los Angeles. Longtime coach at Taft High in Woodland Hills Derrick Taylor also interviewed for the job.

Crespi athletic director Brian Bilek said in a release that the school was "honored," and "excited" about the hire, noting that Fisher "brings to Crespi his strong work ethic, leadership and discipline that are rooted in his Christian faith." 

Fisher, a native of Little Rock, Ark., was a 1996 first-round draft pick of the Lakers and part of five NBA championship teams during his 18-year career. He coached for the Knicks and was head coach and general manager of the Sparks before last year coaching an 8th grade boys team and a Team Derek Fisher Club girls team in the Southland. 

“My family and I are thankful and grateful for this opportunity to join the Crespi family," Fisher said in a statement. "Coaching and teaching is a true passion and I look forward to continuing this focus on the next generation of young student-athletes."