New Balance StaffThe people behind the 15U · 16U · 17U circuit teams

Huleo Evans

Huleo Evans, a Raleigh, NC native, brings extensive experience in basketball development, recruiting, and athlete mentorship. A former Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Johnston Community College, he has led grassroots programs including UBA, Carolina Elite, Carolina Wolves, and All Carolina.

Evans has helped develop athletes competing at every level of collegiate basketball and football, with many advancing to professional careers. A U.S. Air Force veteran and entrepreneur, he brings strong leadership, relationships, and real-world experience to his role as Recruitment Director.

Derrick Mallison

Coach Mallison serves as the Head Coach of our New Balance P32 17U team, leading with passion and poise. Players love playing for him, and he has an extensive understanding of the game and is a true servant leader.

Mallison brings nearly a decade of experience across the NBA, Division I, and USA Basketball, with a career highlighted by multiple conference championships, an NIT Championship, an NCAA Tournament appearance, and an NBA Playoff appearance.

He spent three seasons at North Carolina Central University as Video Coordinator and Director of Basketball Operations, followed by experience with USA Basketball's U16 and U19 teams as a Support Staff Coach. Mallison also spent two seasons with the Chicago Bulls as a Basketball Operations Associate. After leaving the Bulls, Mallison went to the University of Memphis as Video Coordinator before serving as lead Assistant Coach at South Carolina State University.

At GRACE, Mallison leads Basketball IQ and Evaluation, focusing on film, scouting, and individualized player development.

Michael Phillips Sr.

Michael G. Phillips, Sr. serves as an Assistant Coach for GRACE Basketball and has more than 15 years of experience coaching youth basketball. He is passionate about using the game to mentor young athletes, develop character, and make a positive impact on the next generation.

Beyond the court, Coach Phillips is a devoted husband and proud father of two sons, Michael II and Christopher. His commitment to family, faith, community, and youth mentorship continues to shape his approach to coaching and service.

Sanford Long

Coach Long has coached basketball at many levels over a 20+ year coaching career. He got his start coaching intramural basketball while still in the military at multiple Army bases. After leaving the military, he continued coaching with Raleigh Parks and Recreation, working with kids from age 10 through high school with a focus on skills development. During that time with Raleigh Parks he has won the RPD city league championship and COY.

Coach Long has also coached AAU and travel ball for many years including stints with 7th Nation and Harvest Development. During his career he has helped develop several players who have gone on to play at the collegiate and Pro level.

Coach Long is currently going into his 7th season alongside DeShannon Morris at Grace Christian School.

Jermaine Barnes

Coach Barnes serves as the Head Coach of our New Balance P32 15U team. He is a veteran basketball coach, player development trainer, and has over 20 years of experience on the sidelines.

A proud UNCW alumnus, he currently serves as Head JV Coach at Green Hope HS and as the 8th grade head coach for the Triangle Heat AAU.

A native of New Bern, NC, Jermaine is a dedicated husband and father who bridges the gap between academic rigor and athletic excellence, focusing on building high-IQ players and high-character leaders.

John Adams

Coach Adams serves as the Head Coach of our New Balance P32 16U team. With more than 15 years of coaching and player-development experience, Coach Adams has had the opportunity to work with some of the most respected basketball programs in the region, including CP3 Basketball and Carolina Elite, as well as several other competitive programs.

Throughout his coaching career, he has helped lead teams to multiple national championships while developing players to compete at increasingly higher levels of basketball. His experience extends beyond the sidelines—he has trained and continues to work with professional athletes, bringing the same attention to detail, preparation, and high standards to every player he coaches.

His coaching philosophy is built around teamwork, discipline, accountability, and execution. He believes successful teams are created when players learn to compete for one another, embrace their roles, play with confidence, and understand the details that lead to winning basketball.

Player development is at the core of his approach. Every athlete has different strengths, abilities, and areas for growth, and his goal is to maximize each player's individual potential while teaching them how to contribute to team success. He emphasizes fundamentals, basketball IQ, decision-making, skill development, and competing with purpose.