2024 Coaches
2024 S40: Head Coach - Dre Jefferson
About
A graduate of Park Center High School, Dre went on to play college basketball, completing his career at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and jumped right into skills training in 2009. Since 2010, Dre has been coaching high school basketball and has worked as the junior varsity boys coach at the International School of Minnesota, an assistant coach with St. Louis Park Girls Basketball team and most recently as the Associate Head Coach at Hopkins High School. In 2012, Dre joined the MN Suns family as a skills trainer and head coach and has now taken on the role of the MN Suns Club Director. With numerous players from his teams going on to play collegiate basketball, Coach Jefferson has implemented a development process that works for kids and is now being applied to the entire Suns program. High expectations, commitment to excellence, and a work ethic that matches the goals set will be core components to the Suns under Dre Jefferson's leadership.
Playing Experience
- Park Center High School
- University of Wisconsin-Stout
Coaching Experience
- 12th season with the MN Suns (2012- Present)
- Twins Cities Elite basketball training (2010-present)
- Junior Varsity Coach and Associate Head Varsity Coach-Hopkins High School (2015-2020)
- ISM Eden Prairie (2010-2014)
Coach's Thoughts
Basketball has been my passion since I was 5 years old, now to be able to help kids chase their goals and achieve their basketball dreams is an amazing opportunity.
2024 Blue Star: Head Coach - Derwin George
About
Derwin grew up in Milwaukee, WI. He is a Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers fan and surprisingly, a Philadelphia Eagles fan. Sports, academics and family were the three pillars in his household growing up. Derwin's parents instilled in him the value of education and he was required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in order to play sports. From his sophomore through senior year, Derwin played at the varsity level at West Allis Central High School where he hardened the fundamentals of basketball. Derwin attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. In 2010, Derwin walked on to play for the Warhawks and in 2012 won the Division III National Championship. He received his bachelor's degree in business, majoring in accounting and IT-security. Derwin works as a real estate agent in the Twin Cities and purchased his first home with his wife in South Minneapolis.
Coaching Experience
- 3rd season with the MN Suns
- Varsity Oak Creek High School boys basketball summer league team (2009-2011)
- Facilitated and coached "Junior Bulldogs" grades 6-8 (2008-2009)
- Teaching ball handling, shooting and defensive drills
Playing Experience
- Walked on at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and won the 2012 Division III National Championship
- Varsity level at West Allis Central High School (2007-2009)
Coach's Thoughts
My goal as a coach is to teach the core principals of life through the lens of basketball. Hard work, mental toughness, and dedication are not just words and phrases. These are pillars of success both on and off the court. One of the beautiful things about sports is that you get out what you put in. I hope my student athletes truly buy in to that mindset. I want my student athletes to leave it all out on the floor and give their best effort to get better and be better everyday.
2025 Coaches
2025 S40: Head Coach - Ben Fried
About
Ben grew up in Champlin, MN with his parents and 2 younger brothers. He attended the University of Minnesota where he earned a BA in History with a coaching certificate and his Master's in Education and social studies teaching degree. It was in college where he began his coaching career, coaching his brother's youth soccer and baseball teams and then starting his basketball coaching career at Hopkins High School. Ben lives in Minneapolis and is a middle school teacher in the Edina School District.
Coaching Experience
- 4th season with the MN Suns
- Hopkins High School Girls Varsity Assistant Coach (7 years)
- Hopkins 10th Grade Head Coach (1 year)
- Hopkins 9th Grade Head Coach (1 year)
- Hopkins 6th Grade Travel Team Head Coach (2 years)
- MN Thunder 6th/7th Grade Head Coach (2 years)
Accomplishments
- 2 MN State Tournament Titles coaching with Hopkins High School
- 3 MN State Tournament 2nd Place finishes coaching with Hopkins High School
- Coached many players that currently play DI basketball
Coach's Thoughts
My goal in coaching is the same as my goal in teaching: to have a positive impact on every player or student and to prepare them to succeed in whatever their next step is. For coaching, that means instilling the importance of hard work, attention to detail, and having a growth mindset. I want every player on my team to leave feeling that they have grown both on the court and off of it, and that they are ready to take on whatever challenges they may face.
2025 Black: Head Coach - Dan Froehlich
About
Dan has spent 30 years practicing law in the area of labor and employment and is currently a consultant with NeuVest. He is a lifelong learner and has an accomplished education background including stints at Golden Valley Lutheran College, University of Minnesota (BA), William Mitchell College of Law (JD), and University of St. Thomas (finished coursework towards Masters in Teaching). His hobbies include biking, fishing, golfing and reading.
Playing Experience
- Played basketball and baseball
- All-conference in basketball
- Played JUCO ball
Coaching Experience
- 11th season with the MN Suns
- 35+ seasons of coaching basketball at numerous levels
- Began career as Boys High School assistant coach
- 9 years as Head Girls basketball coach at Minneapolis Southwest
- most wins in history of SW boys or girls basketball in a season (20) and in any two through eight year period
- 1st conference championship for SW in 36 years (2016)
- 3 time Coach of the Year (2014 Section 6AAAA, 2015 & 2016 MPLS City Conference)
- Coached over 35 young women who either are currently being recruited to play college basketball, are currently playing college basketball, or have played college basketball
- USA Basketball Youth Basketball Gold Coach Certified
Coach's Thoughts
I have high expectations regarding effort, attendance and showing respect for teammates, opponents, officials and everyone with whom you come in contact with as a member of my team. But, I also promise to every player I coach: I will do everything I can to 1) help you become the best player and teammate you can and 2) help you enjoy the game as much as I do.
2026 Coaches
2026 Blue Star: Head Coach - James Fassett
About
James has been coaching for over 25 years in various sports including High School and College football, basketball, and track. James has been coaching with the Minnesota Suns summer girl's basketball program for 16 years and is well regarded in the girl's basketball coaching circuits. James brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Suns.
Coaching Experience
- 16th season with the MN Suns
- De La Salle Head Girls Basketball Coach (Current)
- Anoka High School Head Girls basketball coach (3 years)
- Minneapolis Community and Technical College Head Women's basketball coach (4 years)
- Anoka Ramsey Community College Assistant Women's basketball coach (7 years)
- Hamline University recruitment/scouting program (1 year)
- St. Bernard's High School
- Head football coach (6 years)
- Assistant Boys basketball coach (3 years)
- Assistant girls basketball coach (2 years)
- Robbinsdale Cooper High School-Sophomore Boys basketball coach (3 years)
- Minneapolis Lady Lakers AAU (2 years)
- Basketball training-individual (12 years)
Accomplishments
- 2 MN Girls State basketball appearances in 3 years with Anoka High School (first time in school history)
- MCAC Southern division Coach of the Year (2008) at Minneapolis Community and Technical College
- 3 National Tournaments coaching with Anoka Ramsey Community College
- Recruited and coached 6 All Americans at the college level
- Currently training several collegiate basketball players that play DI, DII., DIII or Junior college basketball
Coach's Thoughts
My coaching philosophy includes education, development, and enjoyment. Basketball should be an educational experience including life lessons that can be used everyday. Development is a key component to spring and summer basketball. Enjoyment is also a large part of the spring and summer experience. I have coached many players over the years that regain their love for basketball during the summer.
2026 S40: Head Coach - Andy Porisch
About
Andrew played varsity basketball at St. Francis High School and continued to play through adulthood as time allowed. His coaching career began in 2003 and has continued to today coaching many at youth camps and traveling/AAU teams in winter, spring and fall seasons. He is the former President of Coon Rapids Girls Traveling Basketball.
Coaching Experience
- 9th season with the MN Suns
- Centennial Traveling (2017-Current)
- Coon Rapids Traveling (2008-2017)
- Midtown Lady Monarchs (AAU) (2014)
- 20 years coaching basketball
Coach's Thoughts
People can very easily get caught up in results but the most important things are not measured on paper or with stats. I always want to push my team to perform at the highest competitive level. I enjoy strong competition and want my teams to embrace challenging themselves to always play at a high level. Win or lose, if they played their best and gave it their all, we can all be proud of that. I try to develop the girls as both players and people. Give them the tools and knowledge to be the best that they can be. I want to maximize their potential on the court while teaching them lessons that can hold true both on and off the court. Additionally, I want them to enjoy the process and even create relationships that can last well after basketball.
2026 S40: Assistant Coach - Kat Van Helden
2026 Orange: Head Coach - Pashia Scott
2027 Coaches
2027 Blue Star: Head Coach - Kendrick Livers
Coaching Experience
- 6th season with MN Suns
- Varsity Assistant Coach at Champlin Park High School
- Head Girls Basketball Coach at Somerset High School, WI
- 10th grade Boy's Coach & Varsity Assistant Apple Valley High School
- AAU Program Director
- Assistant Women's Basketball Coach - Augsburg College
Accomplishments
At Somerset- Coach of the Year and Conference Champs
Coach's Thoughts
I coach for the joy of helping and seeing young athletes accomplish their goals that they might have thought were impossible. At the same time, as a coach you get to witness the same young athletes mature as outstanding men and women contributing to today's society.
2027 Black: Head Coach - Kika Greenlee
2028 Coaches
2028 Black: Head Coach - Rachael Kaiser
About
Rachael grew up playing basketball in the Minneapolis metro area, playing on the inaugural MN Suns team in 2006 and playing high school basketball at Maranatha Christian Academy. She went on to graduate from Gustavus Adolphus College with her bachelor's degree in Education. Rachael is an Associate Professor at North Central University. Rachael also serves as one of our player development directors and Skills Academy trainers for 4th-7th grade.
Playing Experience
- MN Suns Alum
- High school basketball, helped team to win first sub-section championship, and make first section appearance in Class A
Coaching Experience
- 15th season with the MN Suns
- 3 years coaching Maranatha Christian Academy's Junior Varsity (2012-2015)
Coach's Thoughts
Good basketball starts with good communication. As a team, I strive to have us communicating plays, subs, screens, and defensive movements, so that we cohesively work together on the floor and bench to achieve success. With this foundation we can work together as a unified front to achieve our team and individual goals throughout the season.
2028 Orange: Head Coach - Lexi Houle (Long)
About
Lexi grew up playing basketball in the Minneapolis metro, playing on the inaugural MN Suns team in 2005 and winning two high school state championships at Maranatha. She played basketball at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (NCAA DII) where she finished her career as #9 and #11 all time in career 3-pointers made and assists, respectively, while earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Science in Civil & Environmental Engineering. Lexi got her start coaching in 2012 while still in high school and coached teams at all levels while in South Dakota including coaching the the Rapid City Christian High School girls junior varsity and assisting with varsity. Lexi currently coaches at De La Salle High School is also the Director of Operations for the MN Suns.
Playing Experience
- MN Suns Alum
- High School- Maranatha Christian Academy, 5x All-Conference, 2x All-State, 2x State Champion
- College- South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, finished career as #9 and #11 all time in career 3-pointers made and assists respectively.
Coaching Experience
- 11th season with the MN Suns
- De La Salle High School JV/Varsity Assistant (2020-Current)
- Rapid City Christian Middle School (2018-2019)
- Rapid City Christian High School JV Head Coach & Varsity Assistant Coach (2018-2019)
Coach's Thoughts
I was blessed with so many great coaches growing up through traveling, AAU, high school, & college and I want to turn around be that coach for those behind me. I love the game of basketball and all of the important life lessons that can be learned through the vehicle of sport. The highs and lows of a basketball game parallel the highs and lows of life and it's important to learn how to work hard and make yourself better each day despite the circumstance. As a coach, I want my athletes to have fun competing while getting better at the same time. As a former point guard, a big part of my coaching philosophy is developing court awareness & basketball IQ in addition to individual skills.
2029 Coaches
2029 Black: Head Coach - Dre Jefferson
About
A graduate of Park Center High School, Dre went on to play college basketball, completing his career at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and jumped right into skills training in 2009. Since 2010, Dre has been coaching high school basketball and has worked as the junior varsity boys coach at the International School of Minnesota, an assistant coach with St. Louis Park Girls Basketball team and most recently as the Associate Head Coach at Hopkins High School. In 2012, Dre joined the MN Suns family as a skills trainer and head coach and has now taken on the role of the MN Suns Club Director. With numerous players from his teams going on to play collegiate basketball, Coach Jefferson has implemented a development process that works for kids and is now being applied to the entire Suns program. High expectations, commitment to excellence, and a work ethic that matches the goals set will be core components to the Suns under Dre Jefferson's leadership.
Playing Experience
- Park Center High School
- University of Wisconsin-Stout
Coaching Experience
- 12th season with the MN Suns (2012- Present)
- Twins Cities Elite basketball training (2010-present)
- Junior Varsity Coach and Associate Head Varsity Coach-Hopkins High School (2015-2020)
- ISM Eden Prairie (2010-2014)
Coach's Thoughts
Basketball has been my passion since I was 5 years old, now to be able to help kids chase their goals and achieve their basketball dreams is an amazing opportunity.