Coaching Staff


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Lawrence Wingate - Director Basketball Program
Coaching Experience: I started my coaching career in the 1992-1993 season as an Assistant Coach for the Women's Basketball program at Simpson University. I was named Head Coach from 1993-1994 season thru 1995-1996 season. During the three seasons, the team was District Champions. The team conference record was 23-7. We earned a spot in the NCCAA Division II National Tournament. I have also coached at the high school level and AAU during the past nine years. Playing Experience: I played high school and college basketball Education: I graduated from Oakland Tech High School and attended Shasta College and College of the Ozarks in Arkansas. Motto: "Leave it all on the court" Personal: I am 46 years old and I have been married for twelve years. My wife and I have six children. We moved from the Bay Area and have lived in the Redding area since 1993.


Michael Gray - Coach
Coaching experience: I have college and high school level coaching experience at Simpson college as well as Encina High school. I currently coach 6Th grade girls at Redding Christian school as well as teach PE. I have worked with youth under My Little Legend training programs as well as working at 3d basketball camp for the last 4 summers. Playing experience: I played college basketball and football for Texas university as well as played several pro-am leagues. I am known as a very explosive player with a well rounded game that makes every player on my teams better. Most Seasons I average above 30 points per game. Education: I am graduate of Simpson college and have my BA in Business and Human Resource Management. I am a Realtor with Keller Williams realty. Motto: I have been abundantly blessed by the Lord!! The opportunity to positively influence young people through sports is a blessing and responsibility that I take very seriously the inspiration that I get from seeing young people working torward a positive future is my greatest reward. Personal: I have a great wife, Christena and daughter, Janae Gray. They are the reason that I put one foot in front of the other on a daily basis. I love to play basketball and like to fish.


Jon Heinz - Coach
Coaching Experience: At 28 years old I’m starting my seventh year of coaching. I’ve coached at the junior high, high school, and college levels. I started out my coaching career at one of the top DII programs in the U.S., Humboldt State University in the ‘99-’00 season as an assistant coach. From there I’ve gone on to Coach Varsity Boy’s basketball at Greenville, Central Valley, and Shasta High Schools. I’ve also been fortunate enough to help coach an exhibition team against Duke University, Wake Forest University, and North Carolina State University. For the past four summers I’ve also coached at the West Coach All-star camp sponsored by ADIDAS. It features some of the top talent in the Western U.S. I’m entering my second year with Shasta Magic as a coach and my first as the director of the program. Playing Experience: I played locally at Foothill High School where I graduated in ’95. I was a 3 year varsity starter at the point guard position. In my junior season I was all-league honorable mention and in my senior season I was 1rst team all-league. I also led the NAL in scoring during my final season, where I scored 17.7 points per game. After high school I played basketball for Shasta College. Education: I received an AA Degree in General Education from Shasta College, a BS Degree in Kinesiology from Humboldt State, and my M.Ed. Degree and Credential from National University. Motto: “Respect The Game” Favorite Player: Baron Davis (Golden State Warriors) Personal: I’m married to Jennifer Heinz, a local ATC for Maxim Physical Therapy. I have a 6 year old daughter Kayla and I have a son on the way.


Samuel Gichuhi
Coaching Experience: I began coaching basketball as an 18 year old in Southern California. There I coached a recreational team and then moved on to coach NBC camps during the summer. I have been involved with NBC (Northwest Basketball Camps) for about 5 years, and I have had the pleasure of coaching players from the ages of 9-19 yrs. Last Fall, as well as this Winter, I had the privilege of coaching the 6^th grade girls and boys basketball teams at Mountain View Middle School. The girls placed first in league and the boys placed second. This is my first year as a Shasta Magic Coach and I am excited about this wonderful opportunity. Playing Experience: I played high school and college basketball at La Habra High School and at Simpson University. Education: I graduated from La Habra High School and I am planning to graduate from Simpson University this spring. Motto: “Defense wins championships” Favorite Player: Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) Personal: I am 24 years old, and I love to coach and help develop young people to reach and hopefully exceed their potential.