GALT, CA (MPG) - Liberty Ranch’s new basketball coach is a hometown hero and basketball phenom. Philip Ricci played basketball at Galt High School from 1994 to 1998. After graduation, Ricci went on to play at Delta College and then Oregon State before being drafted into the NBA and later playing in Europe professional leagues including Spain, France, Czech Republic, Israel, South Korea and Japan. The 6-foot-8 Ricci played professionally for about 15 years.  

He coached basketball and football at Galt High for a year before getting hired as a coach for the Sacramento Kings. He has coached youth leagues all the way up to professionals. 

Needless to say, Hawk Athletic Director Samantha Vitoria, who herself was a Division I college basketball player, is thrilled to have Ricci on board. 

“Phil Ricci is a Galt hometown basketball icon,” said Vitoria. “He is a Galt High School alumni that helped the Galt boys basketball program go to Arco Arena in ’99. His career as a player and coach speaks for itself. He has coached for the Sacramento Kings and numerous other pro teams. Liberty Ranch Athletics is ecstatic to have a boys basketball coach who knows the game of basketball inside and out. I have high hopes for our boys program and it is an honor to have a fellow Galt alumni take over the program.”

When asked what made him want to coach at Liberty Ranch, Ricci said it was “just the opportunity to give back to the community.

“I was looking at some point to get back into coaching and when the opportunity presented itself, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to coach in my hometown,” Ricci said.

Ricci understands that sports have valuable life lessons. “We are looking for the opportunity to build the program back up and build up these kid’s character, not only for winning, but for life. Teaching them how to take instruction and follow the coaches’ demands.  It’s just not all about basketball.”

Ricci started Rock Solid Basketball, where they do group and personal training. In the spring and summer, they work with athletes and every kid from the Galt area is welcome. His goal is to build our area as a mecca of basketball. These skill trainings take place in Galt, and Ricci’s personal gym in Elk Grove. 

Ricci’s goal for this first season is to build the team and work hard. “We are building and trying to get better daily,” said Ricci. “Hold the kids accountable.  We haven’t really talked about record, we are going to be the team that doesn’t look up at the score board and worry if it’s up or down.  We are just going to play one way and one way only, which is going to be hard and competitive.”