HI-FIVE JUNIOR NBA

JP has been an integral part of Hi-Five for decades, shaping young athletes and fostering a love for basketball in his community. His coaching journey began with Midnight Basketball for the Chicago Housing Authority, and since then, he has dedicated himself to guiding and mentoring youth.

Raised in Chicago and learning the game on the playground, JP brings a deep understanding of the sport and its impact beyond the court. Coaching has taught him patience, leadership, and how to instill discipline in young players. His passion extends beyond basketball—he has worked with the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools, and even spent time in business roles, from hardware stores to Subway restaurants.

JP credits his mother, father, and mentors like Mr. Allen for shaping him into the person he is today. A dedicated father of four—Russell, Tamaya, Pinky, and Tanisha—he takes pride in raising not just his own children, but countless others through his coaching and mentorship.

A die-hard sports fan, JP roots for the Yankees, Cowboys, and, of course, the Bulls. And when it comes to the eternal debate? He’s Team MJ all the way. If he weren’t coaching, he’d pursue business success, but at his core, JP is a coach, leader, and pillar of his community.

With nearly 25 years of coaching experience, Stephen Warren has dedicated his career to mentoring young athletes. A former high school basketball and baseball player, he began coaching at 24, working with little league teams, volunteering at the Southside YMCA in Chicago, and coaching girls' and coed softball for CPS. Currently a coach at Chicago Hope Academy, Stephen has also been a proud member of the Hi-Five family for 17 years.

His Hi-Five journey started in the summer of 2008 as the baseball station head, where a spontaneous left-field dance party showed him he had found his coaching home. One of his fondest memories is winning a championship and having Gary personally hand him the trophy, recognizing his growth and impact on the kids. For Stephen, coaching is about more than winning—it’s about building confidence, teaching fundamentals, and watching kids improve.

Outside of coaching, Stephen is a passionate gamer, computer builder, and sci-fi fan. His career has spanned roles as a line manager, postal worker, S.E.C.A., security officer, dean of discipline, and building manager. A proud graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, he studied Mass Communication and Media Arts with a minor in History. When he's not on the court or field, he's spending time with his beloved pets, Ski (dog) and Luna (cat), or cheering—often with frustration—for his favorite teams: the Bulls, Bears, and White Sox.

His coaching philosophy is built on the advice that "hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t want to work hard." If he had to choose one food for the rest of his coaching career, it would be tacos. And if he weren’t so good at coaching? Well, he'd probably be a mailman.

Justin is a former Division 1 NAIA college basketball player and a state champion in high school basketball (Whitney Young). He also played for the prestigious Meanstreets AAU team. His passion for the game started from a young age when he joined the Hi-Five Hoops Jr. NBA program at age 4, and later transitioned to coaching at Hi-Five as a summer camp coach. A standout memory for him as a coach is seeing first-time players or new participants score their first bucket, a moment that highlights the progress and development of young athletes.

Justin has a range of interests outside of basketball, including thrifting, fashion, and taking his dog, Melo, out on adventures.

What Justin loves most about coaching kids is watching their weekly development and seeing the smiles on their faces when they achieve a goal, whether it's executing a new skill or simply enjoying the game. Coaching has taught him the importance of patience, structure, and making quick adjustments. The best piece of advice he’s received from a coach is “Keep the main thing the main thing,” which has helped him stay focused and driven in his career.

If he could only eat one food for the rest of his coaching career, it would be pizza, and while he's a big fan of LeBron, his loyalty lies with Michael Jordan when it comes to the all-time greats. Justin’s favorite athlete to cheer for is Kevin Durant. The most important people in his life are his mom, dad, and sister, and he shares his life with his 3-month-old dog, Melo.

A former collegiate and professional basketball player in Italy, Coach Dorian has dedicated his career to mentoring young athletes. Currently the Head Freshman Coach at Chicago Hope Academy and a Director of Admission, his passion for coaching was sparked in the summer of 2015 when he first joined Hi-Five as a D2 coach at Sports Camp. Since then, he has been committed to shaping young players, many of whom he has watched grow from 4th graders into high school athletes at St. Ignatius, Whitney Young, Lincoln Park, and even his own team at Hope.

Basketball is more than just a game for Coach Dorian—it’s a year-round passion. He spends his time training players, studying film, and mentoring young athletes to ensure they are on a path to success. He believes in the power of positive reinforcement, knowing that the words a coach speaks can leave a lasting impact. His high school coach once told him, “No matter how good you are, the ball eventually stops bouncing, but your character will always be remembered.” That lesson continues to guide his coaching philosophy today.

A proud graduate of the College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx, NY, with a degree in Communication and a master’s in Sports Business, Coach Dorian is also a devoted LeBron James fan and can often be found cheering for the Lakers. If he weren’t coaching, he’d be a personal basketball trainer—but nothing compares to the joy of developing young athletes. His love for Hi-Five runs deep, having been part of the program since he was a young child, and he is honored to give back to the place that shaped him both as a player and a coach.

With nearly a decade of coaching experience, Todd Neuhausen brings a deep passion for player development and the game of basketball. A former competitive high school player, he transitioned into coaching in 2016 with Hi-Five Hoops and has been dedicated to helping young athletes grow ever since. One of his most memorable coaching moments was leading his team to a Rookie Championship victory last season.

Todd thrives on watching players improve in real time, especially when they begin to truly process and apply what they’ve been taught. He believes coaching is as much about patience as it is about strategy, understanding that every player learns at their own pace. His guiding principle, learned from a former coach, is simple: “Control what you're able to control, and the rest will hopefully take care of itself.”

A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Todd earned a degree in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism with a focus on Sport Management and a minor in Business. When he’s not on the court, he enjoys spending time with family, his pets, and debating the age-old question—MJ or LeBron? (The answer, of course, is MJ.)

Emmanuel is a passionate coach with a rich background in athletics, including being an AAU Coach for Chicago Hoops, a 3-year basketball player at Lane Tech, and a 4-year player in football and track & field. He also served as a Club Coordinator Staff member at the University of Missouri. Emmanuel began coaching at Hi-Five in September 2024, assisting with preseason clinics and connecting with players, coaches, and families.

A psych rehabilitation specialist with experience in education, he is committed to nurturing young athletes both on and off the court. Emmanuel values patience and growth in coaching, always excited to see kids improve and embrace the challenges of sports.  He loves seeing his players fall in love with the sport and put in the work behind the scenes to get better.

Outside of coaching, he enjoys music, fashion, sneakers, and traveling. A fan of Nigerian food and pasta, Emmanuel is deeply grateful for the support of his family and friends and is inspired by the wisdom, “Be a genuine leader; naturally, others will follow.”

He loves Ohio State Football, all Chicago sports teams, D-Rose, LeBron James and is currently a big SGA fan.

Coach Semaj Bunch brings a wealth of experience and passion to the court. A former multi-sport athlete, he played football and basketball in high school before continuing his basketball career at the collegiate level for three years. His coaching journey spans multiple levels, from elementary to high school and beyond, making him a versatile and knowledgeable leader in youth sports.

Semaj’s journey with Hi-Five began four seasons ago, where he quickly found his rhythm and love for coaching. One of his most memorable moments was watching his players compete against each other, showcasing their growth and skills. He thrives on seeing kids grasp new concepts and build confidence on the court, finding joy in those breakthrough moments when they master something new. His coaching philosophy centers on patience and grace, understanding that every child learns at their own pace.

Outside of coaching, Semaj enjoys reading, drawing, and spending quality time with his two children, London and Malcolm. He has also worked as a Program Coordinator/Manager, further solidifying his leadership skills. A true sports fan, he cheers for the Bears, Bulls, White Sox, Blackhawks, Alabama, and the University of Miami.

His favorite coaching advice? "You owe it to the person standing right next to you to give it all you got!" And if he weren’t such a great coach, you'd probably find him officiating games as a referee.

Oh, and if he had to pick one food for the rest of his coaching career? Pizza, without a doubt.

Coach DeAndre, aka "Dre," is a passionate and experienced leader in youth basketball. A two-time state champion at Morgan Park, he continued his basketball career at Lincoln College of Illinois before transitioning into coaching. With five years of experience coaching Hi-Five Hoops and Jr. NBA, as well as working with the Ayo Dos Elite AAU program, Coach Dre brings a wealth of knowledge and energy to every team he coaches.

One of his favorite parts of coaching at Hi-Five is witnessing the year-over-year development of young athletes. He first joined Hi-Five in September 2020, coaching Buddy Ball, and has been dedicated to helping kids build their skills and confidence ever since. He firmly believes that every kid has a hidden talent, and one of the most rewarding aspects of coaching is helping them discover it.

Outside of basketball, Coach Dre enjoys music, video games, and movies. A dedicated Bulls and Bears fan, he also cheers for Ayo Dosunmu, a childhood best friend. His coaching philosophy is built on the words of wisdom he once received: “You miss 100% of the shots that you don’t take.”

If he weren’t such a talented coach, you’d probably find him deep into the world of gaming. And if he had to choose one food to eat for the rest of his coaching career? Spaghetti, hands down.

When he’s not on the court, Coach Dre enjoys spending time with his dog, Reeses. And when it comes to the MJ vs. LeBron debate—well, let’s just say he respects greatness on both sides.

Ayo grew up playing in the Hi-Five Jr. NBA League on Sundays as well as for our Small Fry Team, Nothin' But Net. Ayo attended the University of Illinois where he was named a consensus first-team All-American in his junior season. He was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2021.

Charlie grew up playing in the Hi-Five Jr. NBA League on Sundays as well as for our Small Fry Team, Nothin' But Net. Charlie played at four different universities: Cal, Kansas, Depaul and most notably, Miami. While at Miami, where he earned All-Defensive team and honorable mention All-ACC recognition and led his team to an Elite Eight in 2022.

Lucas grew up playing in the Hi-Five Jr. NBA League on Sundays as well as for our Small Fry Team, Nothin' But Net. Lucas played college basketball at Loyola Chicago where earned First Team All-MVC honors and was named MVC Defensive Player of the Year.

2021 - 22 WAC All-Defense

2022-23 WAC All-Defense