When people think of Redwood’s boys basketball team, you most likely think of coach Jason Black, though, assistant coach Gilbert Brito has just as important of an impact to the team.
By Fabian Anguiano
Gillbert Brito, a Visalia Native, fell in love with the game of basketball at the age of ten.
Coach Brito fell in love with the game of basketball by, “Just playing it, playing the local city leagues, and then I believe it was my 10th year birthday. My parents got me a basketball hoop for at last.”
As a player, Coach Brito was okay, though he leaned into coaching by coaching his older son when he was eleven.
Coach Brito ended up as the assistant coach at Redwood by, “family members who played girls basketball, and they played for Coach black. I’ve known coach black since he’s been at Redwood, and you know, always talked with him.”
Knowing the right people will get you in the right places, “He knew I coached, and he’d asked me periodically to you know when I was going to come and join him.”
Coach Brito had a tough decision to make, “At that time, my kids were still a little bit younger, so they, you know, I wanted to continue to coach them. Was when they were done. My older kids, when they were done, that’s when I decided, Okay, I’m ready to go. And so I asked him if he was still looking, and that was nine years ago.”
Brito did not hesitate, “I said absolutely, come on. So I’ve done it, and I still do it. Now my youngest son is actually in the program.”
Coach Brito has had a lot of fun during his time as an assistant coach.
Brito’s main responsibility as head coach is to, “Make sure that the kids follow the directions of the program. What the head coach puts out, I just try to help him work on what it is he’s asking.”
The most rewarding part of being an assistant coach is “Being an influence in these kids’ lives. Seeing them after they go through the program and graduate, seeing them out, you know, in the community, and they’re still coming up to you , ‘hey coach’ and you know ‘how you doing’, and seeing the success that they’re having.”
Being a coach has a lot of pros, but it also has its cons, “it’s probably the time it takes. There’s a lot of time involved, a lot of time away from home and family. It can be challenging. You know, I work a full-time job as well.”
Coach Brito’s goal for the team for the rest of the season is to play hard and finish strong; for himself, it is to continue to mentor the kids in a positive way.
Coach Brito had one last thing to say, “Go Rangers!”
Fabian Anguiano
Fabian Anguiano '28,is a VERY passionate sportswriter and editor for the Redwood Gigantea. He is entering his third year with the Gigantea, and he likes motivating others and being involved in everything sports related. If you would like to reach him, just email him at [email protected]
Tags: basketball, coaches, Redwood, redwood athletics, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, redwood sports, Sport, visalia ca
