Coach Brittany Imaku coaching her players on the Don Johnson court against Saddleback College.
STORY BY LARISSA SAMANO, SPORTS EDITOR
PHOTO BY DESHIELDS FAJARDO
Some say behind the glory of Cypress College athletics’ rich history of developing All-American athletes, winning championships, and breaking records, is the coaching.
Women’s Basketball head Coach Brittany Imaku, or Coach B, is an example of how players are a reflection of their coaches and the program.
Along with being a Cypress College women’s basketball alumni, Imaku has fostered a strong resume to showcase her success. During the years 2003 and 2005, Imaku was team captain, first-team all-conference her freshman and sophomore year, state MVP, and a state champion.
After receiving a full-ride scholarship to continue her athletic career at San Jose State in 2005, she was awarded first-team all-state and led in assists for two years.
Following her college basketball career, Imaku coached at Calvary Chapel for eight years and rejoined the Cypress program as an assistant coach in 2016. Imaku became the head coach for women’s basketball for the 2022-2023 season.
Cypress has a special place in Coach B’s heart and she wants to see the program succeed, she said. Imaku said, “I love this program,” she said. “Being an alumni, we really talk about family and sisterhood and I want this program to be better than when I was here.” She surrounds herself with a coaching staff that will help her lead the program to where she believes it has the potential to be.
Coaching-player connections can be vital to the process of athletic growth. Imaku said, “I don’t have kids of my own and I always say my players are my kids and I think I feel that way about any athlete here at Cypress.”
Not only does Coach B put effort into her program, but shows support to every sport here at Cypress whether that be showing up to other sporting events or even knowing other athletes on a first-name basis, she said.
“If they’re winning, we’re winning,” said Imaku. The energy that she brings with her creates a sense of optimism and fire that many athletes need. She emphasizes the idea of being all in for her players so they feel comfortable to be all in not only for themselves but for their team.
Off the court Imaku wants her players to know she is always there for them and they can count on her for that support.
Imaku said, “Having that balance, knowing when to just give them a hug and when they need me to kick them in the butt a little bit.” There is a balance of tough love that comes from coaching and has the ability to affect athletes’ performance.
Coaches say a coach’s main goal for each season is to not only win but to help their players grow and push them beyond limits that they never thought they had. “Let them know it’s ok to struggle but figure out a way, continue to problem solve, persevere, and not give up,” said Imaku.
Imaku has been through the ropes of not just coaching, but being a junior college athlete and going on to live out her dreams of playing at the Division 1 level. She explained how she has taken what she has learned as an athlete to know what a player needs from their coach and is now providing that not only for her Women’s Basketball team but all of Cypress Athletics. Women’s volleyball player Jessica Ferreira said, “She would always be at our games when she could and I’d say hi. It just feels like there’s a good support system between the teams.”
“Bet on yourself. You’re here for a reason and if they see it as a failure, see it as an opportunity to get better, and grow your craft to the level that you want to go to. Maybe you’re getting overlooked and now you get to prove them wrong,” said Imaku.
