Biography

Coach Derek Durham stepped in as head coach of the Académie Lafayette Foxes boys basketball program for the 2025–26 school year, guiding one of Kansas City’s newest high school programs as it finds its identity at the varsity level.

Before arriving at ALIHS, Durham carved out a 15-year professional career overseas as a point guard, following his Division I playing days at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. As a Panther, he competed in the Horizon League and left his mark in the record book before launching an international journey that took him to Brazil, Switzerland, France, and the Burkina Faso Men’s National Team.

After retiring from high-level competition, he launched international youth development projects, including USA Basketball Camp and culture-exchange camps based in France, connecting American and European players through shared training and competition. Today, he calls the Kansas City metro home and is focused on pouring that experience into Académie Lafayette student-athletes.

Vision for Foxes Basketball

Coach Durham’s vision is to build a program where fundamentals, effort, and education walk hand in hand. Practices emphasize spacing, decision-making, transition play, and team defense so that every Fox understands how to read the floor—not just run plays.

The long-term goal is to grow Foxes basketball into a consistent, respected program in Missouri high school hoops: playing a challenging schedule, competing in late-season games, and preparing student-athletes to handle the demands of college classrooms and, for some, college or international basketball opportunities.

On-Court Standards

• Compete in everything: from closeouts and rebounding drills to game possessions.
• Communicate: talk on defense, call out screens, and help teammates understand coverages.
• Be coachable: accept feedback, make adjustments, and bring energy to the gym.
• Play the right way: defend, share the ball, and respect officials and opponents.

Off-Court Expectations

• Maintain classroom effort and communication with teachers.
• Arrive to practices and games on time, prepared, and in dress code.
• Represent Académie Lafayette with maturity on social media and in the community.
• Set personal goals for grades, language progress, and life after high school.

Basketball Goals for the Program

• Establish a competitive, disciplined Foxes identity in the Kansas City and Missouri high school landscape.
• Develop players who understand international-style basketball concepts: spacing, reads, and pace.
• Create a film and Hudl library that showcases players for college and postsecondary opportunities.
• Build a sustainable pipeline from middle school through high school so Foxes basketball grows every year.

For Families & College Coaches

Families are partners in the Foxes program. Coach Durham encourages open communication about academic progress, scheduling, and player goals. For college coaches, film and basic player information will be kept current through the Hudl and team pages to make evaluating Foxes student-athletes easier.

Questions about expectations, playing philosophy, or how to support your student-athlete are welcome through the school’s athletics channels.