Jareem Gunter: 2025 PCA Coach of the Year National Winner presented by TeamSnap

As a former principal who believes in young people, Coach Jareem Gunter took that belief and created a sports program that also focuses heavily on creating good people. His program is more than just a basketball team, they are a community dedicated to empowering young athletes to reach their full potential both on and off the court. The mission is to instill valuable life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and perseverance through the game of basketball. They are not a basketball program, they are a manhood development program that plays basketball.​

Jareem developed a unique structure that includes mentorship programs, community service activities, and workshops focused on topics like leadership and goal setting. He ensures that every player has a voice and feels included. During team meetings, he often opens the floor for each athlete to share thoughts, recognizing that a diverse range of perspectives strengthens the team’s bond. Additionally, he incorporates workshops on topics like identity, empathy, and allyship, ensuring the Dream Team becomes a safe space for athletes of all backgrounds.

Jareem’s coaching emphasizes a growth mindset, showing athletes that effort and improvement matter more than perfection. One technique he uses is setting “effort goals” rather than just performance targets. For instance, instead of telling an athlete to focus on scoring, he’ll encourage them to focus on effective passes or defensive maneuvers—actions that contribute to team play and individual skill-building. He believes that every young athlete deserves a chance to play and grow, regardless of financial background or personal circumstances, and actively works to make that possible. Coach Jareem’s commitment to accessibility is even more impactful given that the Dream Team believes they are the only free AAU program for all players in California. As a means to help support the financial needs of the team, Jareem worked with the team to write their own book and sell it to raise funds. He now has a team of published authors!