PTR Black Staff
Nic Pederson - Director - Former Pro
Nic is entering his first season as the Head Boys Varsity Coach at Analy High School (Sebastopol, CA), after serving three seasons as the Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach and one season as the Head Girls Varsity Basketball Coach at Credo High. The Credo Gryphons won two league titles (first times in school history), advanced to sectionals each year (‘21-’22, ‘22-’23 and ‘23-‘24) and state playoffs (‘21-’22), resulting in rising in divisions. Prior to coaching, Nic played basketball at Cardinal Newman where he was a League Champion, League MVP and received the McDonald’s All-American Award. Nic then played college ball at SRJC and Cal State Stanislaus, earning another MVP. His career culminated professionally in nine different countries over five continents, winning multiple championships and awards along the way.
Tyler Gaffney - Associate Director - H.C. San Domenico - Former Pro
Tyler is in his second season as the Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach at San Domenico after going 22-9 in his first year. Prior, Gaffaney spent five years as an assistant coach at the collegiate level (two with Cal State East Bay and three years with Wesleyan University). Before coaching, Tyler played professionally for two seasons with Club Baloncesto Morón and El Olivar (Spain). Tyler was an All-American, Academic All-American and two-time Conference Player of the Year at Claremont McKenna College. At Claremont, Gaffaney earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics and Psychology and he holds an MBA from Claremont Graduate University.
Festus Ezeli - Guest Speaker/Clinician - Warriors Commentator - NBA CHAMPION
“Fes” was drafted in the first round (30th overall) by the Golden State Warriors, via Vanderbilt University and played five (5) seasons in the NBA from 2012-2016. At Vanderbilt, he studied biology and economics while earning All- SEC honors, as well as setting the single-season record for blocked shots. Fes’ career as a player pinnacled when he played a major role in the Warriors NBA CHAMPIONSHIP in 2015, before injuries sidelined him. Festus was born in Nigeria and works closely with NBA Africa, helping to grown basketball internationally. He now works for the Golden State Warriors are a commentator and is loved in the community.
Craig McMillan - Guest Speaker/Clinician - H.C. SRJC
Since joining Santa Rosa, McMillan led the Bear Cubs to one state title (2014) and five conference titles, with 11 All-State players, five Conference Players of the Year, and the 2014 CCCAA State Tournament Player of the Year. The 2013-2014 Bear Cubs had a 26-8 overall record, bringing McMillan's SRJC coaching record to 300-143. Under his guidance, SRJC men’s basketball made four consecutive CCCAA Elite 8 appearances, winning the 2014 State Championship. Before SRJC, McMillan coached professionally in Lebanon and Kuwait after serving as an assistant coach at The University of Tennessee and Marquette University. As a player, he led Cloverdale High School to consecutive State Titles and played for Lute Olson at The University of Arizona, contributing to two Pac-10 crowns and the Wildcats' first NCAA Final Four in 1988
Brandon Chappell - Guest Speaker/Clinician - A.C. Texas University - Former Pro (tentative)
Brandon Chappell, an esteemed figure in collegiate basketball, is the Men's Basketball Assistant Coach at The University of Texas. With an impressive nine years of coaching expertise at the collegiate level, Chappell has significantly contributed to the development and success of various programs. Notably, he served as an assistant at UNLV in the previous season, showcasing his commitment to excellence in coaching. His addition to the Longhorns' staff adds a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a proven track record, further elevating the basketball program's prowess at The University of Texas.
Justin Argenal - Guest Speaker/Clinician - H.C. Dominican University (tentative)
Argenal came to Dominican in 221, after spending five seasons as the head coach for De La Salle High School, leading the Spartans to a 113-33 record. He was named NorCalPreps Northern California Coach of the Year and NorCalPreps NCS Division I Coach of the Year in both 2017 and 2019.
Argenal began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ole Miss in 2009-10 helping the Rebels to a 24-11 record and a finish in the NIT Final Four before three seasons as a director of basketball operations at The Citadel and Louisiana Tech. He then served as an assistant coach at the NCAA Division I level for Southeast Missouri State and The Citadel from 2013-2015. Argenal then moved back to California for one season as the head assistant basketball coach at NCAA Division II Cal State Dominguez Hills before being hired as the head coach at his high school alma mater.
Argenal played for De La Salle High School before moving on to a college career at UC Riverside and Chico State. Argenal left the Wildcats as the program and conference's all-time career leader in assists and steals, earning All-CCAA Second Team honors.
Rich Shayewitz - Guest Speaker/Clinician - H.C. Sonoma State University
SSU alum Rich Shayewitz returns for his third season and fourth year leading the Sonoma State men's basketball program. Last season, Shayewitz and the Seawolves qualified for postseason action and would defeat Cal Poly Humboldt in the quarterfinals and advance to the semis before falling to top seeded San Bernardino. The 2022-23 season would be highlighted by sophomore phenom Jaylen Wells who was named the CCAA Player of the Year. Shayewitz added ten more wins to his record from the 2021-22 season and finished 5th in league play.