Along the sidelines, head basketball coach Joe Khouzam is analyzing each player’s performance and adjusting any play while communicating with his team. With his strategies at play and all of the players’ contributions, the team would soon score, winning the game. The team and the coaches celebrate yet another win for both them and Walnut basketball’s history.
To fulfill his goal of coaching at the college level, Khouzam has decided to resign as head basketball coach after 11 years and continue his coaching years at his alma mater Glendale Community College as an assistant coach. With a highly successful tenure, Khouzam has set numerous school records such as having the most wins in a season with a 28-3 record. He also led Walnut to earn a place in the LA Times Top 25 in 2023. Another accomplishment was their 232-85 record over 11 seasons and their 13-4 record against Diamond Bar while also reaching Division 1 and 2 playoffs every year.
“We set a pretty high standard. We set a high bar. We’re one of the best programs in the area for a reason, and so I just encourage our guys to keep working hard, keep the bar ra`ised high, and to just keep getting better,” Khouzam said.
At the age of 5, he began to play basketball and years later would play all four years at Hoover High School. After graduation, he continued to play at Glendale College. After his active years, Khouzam stayed with the sport by coaching for 25 years: nine years at Alhambra High School, three years at Chino Hills High school and 11 years at Walnut High School, starting as an assistant coach back in 2013 and head coach in 2014. With his love for the game extending past his career itself, Khouzam has built a stable relationship with all of his players. Watching them grow and learn has been a joy for him on and off the court, as he helps to teach them valuable lessons and insightful advice.
“[Coach Khouzam] taught me that a lot of stuff that I can apply to basketball can be applied to real life. He taught me [many] valuable lessons, not only applying to basketball, but how to be a better person in general,” shooting guard senior Myles Wainwright said.
Khouzam has left a significant impact on the team, the Walnut community and on the assistant basketball coach, Micheal Williams, who has known him for eight years as they spent each season developing game plans and analyzing the opponent’s defense and offense.
“Coach Khouzam’s resignation from Walnut Boys Basketball is definitely bittersweet. We all wanted him to be a Mustang for years to come,” Williams said. “[His] impact on the program goes beyond just the basketball program. He’s the best mentor anyone can ask for. He always puts the program before himself. He has taught the boys that no matter who they are, they can be successful at anything they put their minds to.”
