Eric Siegel, UPBasketball’s Newest Player Development Coach

3 minute read

By Andrea Aruino

UPBasketball welcomes Eric Siegel to its coaching staff, bringing him back to a game that has been a part of his life since middle school. After playing four years at Fremont High School in 2016-2020, he continued his career at UC Santa Cruz. After playing, Siegel found a new way to stay involved in basketball through coaching. Now, he hopes to use what he learned as a player to help athletes prepare for their own next steps.

Siegel path at UCSC was not a traditional one. Siegel joined the team as a walk-on during his sophomore year and spent the next few seasons working to earn his place on the court. By his senior season, he had become a team captain, ending the season with a total of 111 points and 10 assists. For Siegel, earning that opportunity came down to the work he was willing to put in and the belief that he could compete at the collegiate level.

“My opportunities came from training and convincing myself that I was capable of playing plus earning that spot and being able to work on my craft of basketball everyday,” Siegel said.

His experience as a player has also shaped the way he approaches training. Siegel focuses on helping players understand what they can do when they do not have the ball, while also developing the ability to make quick decisions when the defense takes away their first option. For him, the goal is to make those skills translate naturally into a game.

That same focus on understanding the game carried over when Siegel began coaching. During his playing career, he found opportunities to work at summer camps throughout the Bay Area before eventually coaching the freshman team at Sacred Heart Preparatory in Menlo Park. As he continued working with younger players, he began to see how much coaching could teach him about the game itself.

“Coaching taught me that teaching others is one of the best ways to understand what you know. Learning how to help different people understand a concept has also helped me become a better leader,” Siegel said.

Siegel’s approach to coaching is personal. He wants to understand what each player needs and push them toward the level they are trying to reach, whether that means preparing for high school basketball, college, or another opportunity. His own experience as a walk-on has given him an understanding of what it takes to earn a spot and continue developing once that opportunity comes. The way Siegel likes to be coached has shaped how he works with players. He believes in giving athletes honest feedback while reinforcing what they are doing well.

“I attempt to give my players praise so they can continue that same movement correctly. I also like to be a player coach and lead by example,” Siegel said.

Since joining UPBasketball, Siegel has worked with athletes through individual training and group sessions, helping players develop their skills and prepare for the next level. Surrounded by coaches and players who share his commitment to improvement, Siegel is excited to continue growing within the UPB community while helping athletes reach their potential.

Whether he is working with a player on becoming a stronger offensive threat or sharing his perspective as a former collegiate player, Siegel’s goal remains the same, which is to help athletes continue developing their game and build the confidence to take the next step.