Alicia Komaki on the 5 Ships before a Championship (EP396)

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Sierra Canyon head coach Alicia Komaki joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on their five ships before a championship.

Alicia Komaki is set to enter her fourteenth season as Head Coach of the Sierra Canyon Girls Basketball team in 2025–2026, where she has established one of the nation's most dominant high school programs. Her tenure is highlighted by leading her teams to five California State Championships and securing an ESPN National Championship in 2023, finishing the season ranked number one in the country. Coach Komaki boasts an overall career record of over 350 wins at Sierra Canyon, maintaining an exceptional win percentage above 85% over 13 years.

Beyond the banners, Coach Komaki is renowned for developing elite, collegiate-ready talent. Her program has served as a pipeline for top NCAA programs, featuring standout athletes like Juju Watkins (USC), Kennedy Burke (WNBA ), and Vanessa De Jesus (Duke). This proven ability to consistently prepare players for the highest level of competition underscores the effectiveness of her coaching system and development focus.

Her success has garnered national recognition and numerous accolades. In 2022, Komaki was named the WBCA Pat Summit National Coach of the Year, and she was a finalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year in 2023. Other honors include the LA Times Coach of the Year and Cal-Hi Sports Coach of the Year in 2019. Her standing among elite coaches is further recognized by USA Basketball, where she made her bench coaching debut as an assistant at the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit and previously served as a court coach for the USA Basketball Women’s U16 National Team trials in 2017. With a personal resume reflecting 7 State Championship rings and 2 National Championships, Komaki is a proven winner and a powerhouse in high school basketball development.