Our Story and Mission
Driven by a lifelong passion for basketball, the East Bay Vandals Basketball Academy is dedicated to developing young athletes in Northern California. We provide high-quality instruction in fundamental basketball skills while instilling essential life lessons—like teamwork, discipline, and resilience—to foster both skilled players and confident individuals on and off the court."
Operations / GM
A proud graduate of Purdue University, Rick brings over two decades of dedicated basketball experience and a deep-seated passion for youth development to the East Bay Vandals Basketball Academy]. During his time at Purdue, Rick was also a competitive member of the university's bowling team, showcasing his commitment to diverse athletic pursuits.
Rick's vision for the East Bay Vandals is rooted in the belief that basketball is a powerful vehicle for teaching invaluable life skills. He is a firm believer that a strong work ethic and unwavering commitment are cornerstones for personal growth, empowering young individuals to embrace responsibility and the value of hard work.
Rick champions the idea that failure is not an endpoint, but a crucial learning opportunity on the path to achieving meaningful goals, making the journey and its eventual successes all the more rewarding.
Rick is also an active entrepreneur, running several businesses. His dedication to youth extends to coaching both basketball and bowling to help promote the sports. Rick's multifaceted experience and unwavering commitment to nurturing young talent make him a driving force behind our mission.
As a player, Coach Kobe's journey is nothing short of inspiring. He was named MEL Conference MVP in 2008–2009, honored as the Most Inspirational Athlete at his school, and consistently made the Honor Roll. He earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Idaho, majoring in Journalism and Mass Media. While in college, he posted standout performances, including career highs of 26 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 steals, and was named to the Dean’s List for academic excellence.
Coach Kobe’s post-college career continued at an elite level—earning a pre-draft workout with the Sacramento Kings, competing with the Trail Blazers' G League affiliate, and scrimmaging against Team USA at the Nike Hoop Summit. He sharpened his game alongside NBA athletes at Impact Basketball Academy during the NBA Summer League. Today, as both a coach and certified high school official, Coach Kobe channels that elite-level experience into guiding young athletes to reach their highest potential—on the court and in life.
Register now or contact us to join Coach Kobe’s program and give your child the ultimate basketball experience—where skills grow, confidence soars, and champions are built.
Meet the Head
Coach
Coach Kobe is a dedicated basketball mentor with a lifelong passion for the game and a mission to empower the next generation of athletes. Currently leading the Varsity program at Armijo High School, he brings a high level of energy, leadership, and experience to the court. His coaching is rooted in developing not just strong players, but strong individuals—instilling work ethic, character, and teamwork as the pillars of success.
Youth Basketball Competition
and Coaching
Our mission is to develop confident, disciplined, and skilled young athletes through high-level basketball training led by a Division I point
guard coach. We aim to inspire excellence on and off the court by fostering teamwork, leadership, and a passion for the game in a positive and supportive environment
OUR SERVICES
East Bay Vandals Basketball Academy offers youth classes in group or private smaller class environments to help kids achieve their goals in playing the sport of basketball at a high level.
EXPERIENCE
Welcome to East Bay Vandals, where we transform young players into confident athletes. Our dedicated coaches bring years of experience to the court, guiding kids through the essential skills of basketball while emphasizing hard work and team collaboration. We believe that a supportive environment is crucial for improvement, and our focus is on nurturing both ability and character. Come be part of our community and watch your skills grow along with your passion for the sport!
OUR STORY
Kobe, our program's head coach is a D1 player and graduate of Idaho State who is known as the Vandals. Back in 1917 the University of Idaho's basketball team, coached by Hec Edmundson, played with such intensity that sports writers said they "vandalized" their opponents. The name stuck and in 1921 the school officially adopted the name
TESTIMONIALS
Client Success Stories: Hear What Our Clients Say
Coach Kobe has been a positive role model for my son who is starting his 2nd year of basketball and plans to play varsity next year.
Matthew Thompson
San Ramon, CA
My son is a 7th grader and has been playing for Coach Kobe for 3 years now and loves his coaching style to instill confidence help improve his shooting form.
James Lee
Pleasanton, CA
Being new to the sport, my boy was apprehensive to play at first but with Coach Kobe's great leadership, he has improved his confidence and this has reflected in his daily life too.
AISHA PATEL
Fremont, CA