By Mike DeVader, UAV Director of Athletics Communications
University of Antelope Valley President and CEO Marco Johnson revealed today the promotion of lead assistant coach BJ Porter to his new role of head men’s basketball coach, the UAV Athletics Department announced.
The Layton, Utah, native was hired as the first assistant coach in Pioneer men’s basketball history in 2015, and now becomes the new face of the UAV Men’s Basketball program as one of the youngest men’s basketball coaches in the country at the age of 26.
“Coach Porter is an exceptional person, as well as an excellent basketball coach who works tirelessly to develop outstanding players on and off the hardwood; young men whom after their collegiate years will be productive members of any community,” Johnson said. “We now have one of the youngest and brightest basketball minds in the college game at the helm of our program.
“The Pioneer family looks forward to a very exciting and promising future.”
Porter brings a wide variety of coaching and playing experience to the UAV staff, as he was an instrumental piece in the team’s 14-13 record in its inaugural season in 2015-16. The Pioneers finished in second-place in the California Pacific (CalPac) Conference, and saw three of its student-athletes named to the 2016 All-CalPac Men’s Basketball team – Franky Teran (CalPac Newcomer of the Year and First Team), Josh Sanchez (First Team) and Miles Nolen-Webb (Honorable Mention).
Teran’s work on the hardwood (17.5 points per game) also earned him 2015-16 NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball All-America Honorable Mention. He’s the first UAV player in school history to garner such accolades.
“First and foremost, I want to thank Marco and Sandra Johnson for their generosity and belief in me to take this program to the next level.” Porter said. “I am extremely honored to be given the opportunity to coach the game I love right here at the University of Antelope Valley.
“I sincerely love the guys we have on this team and I can’t wait to get to work with them in preparation for next season.”
After wrapping up his collegiate career, the new lead Pioneer visited several NBA teams for pre-draft workouts before playing professional basketball in Parral, Mexico for Mineros de Parral.
Porter played college ball for NCAA Division l University of Portland (Ore.) and Division l Weber State (Utah) before finishing his career at now-Division ll Azusa Pacific (Calif.) – where he received All-Conference and National Christian College Athletic Association All-American honors.
Soon after his playing days, he returned to serve as an assistant coach for Layton Christian Academy (Utah), where he helped the team win their region in his first year with the program. In year two at Layton Christian, Porter accepted the head coaching position with the women’s basketball team.
During his tenure roaming the sidelines, Porter transformed a previous two-win women’s team into Region Champions in his first year as head coach.
He also has previously worked for a Worldwide Basketball Academy, which specialized in skill development for athletes around the world.
In high school at Layton Christian, Porter was a three-time All-Region and All-State selection. During his senior year, he was selected as the MVP of the state of Utah and tabbed Northern All-Area Player of the Year.
https://www.uavpioneers.com/article/326.php
Photo Courtesy: UAV Athletics
