RIP to my friend and former Ontario HS girls basketball coach Chris Emami. Also coached at Canyon, Mater Dei, and Esperanza. A great coach, campaign manager, business man, teacher and friend. Cancer sucks.

I met Chris when I was JV coach at Canyon. He was our student manager. During summers he would have me drop him off at the Valencia summer league where he would stay all day and watch all the games on all levels (and some really bad basketball). And give me unsolicited scouts...

‘number 25 from El Dorado can really shoot’ ‘# 5 from Elmo can’t go left’ this was summer sophomore basketball, he cared way more than any of the players, and he continued that throughout his coaching career.

He coached and worked through all levels of high school basketball. When he finally took over at Ontario, their girls team had 3 wins the year before. He made them a perennial contender in their league and CIF division.

Throughout my coaching career, Chris was always there. He would come to my games from Ontario or OC to South Pas, leuzinger or redondo. He was also a successful business man and managed political campaigns throughout the state, but alway made time for hoops.

When I needed film on a playoff opponent, he would make a call for me. I always looked forward to seeing him on CIF pairing Sunday at the CIF office, and we would go to lunch, try to find film on our opponents and complain about our draw.

In October, my girlfriend and I were guest speakers in his business communications class he taught at Chapman. We had lunch after, brought up old stories, talked hoops and politics and made plans to play golf. It was the last time I saw him.

On Sunday I found out he was losing his battle to cancer. I didn’t even know he was sick, he was very private. I picked up the phone to call him and he actually picked up. He was not doing well and I knew it. We spoke briefly, he said there was nothing else the doctors could do.

I thanked him for being a good friend and always supporting me, he thanked me told me he loved me and hung up. He passed away yesterday. Touched many lives, left a legacy and gone too soon. Fuck cancer.

Thanks for letting me vent. Enjoy life, cherish your fiends and family, live life to the fullest and give people their flowers while they are still here.