Kelly Sopak announced as new Nevada Women’s Basketball head coach

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RENO, Nev. – University of Nevada alumnus Kelly Sopak, founder of one of the nation’s top amateur and grassroots girls basketball programs in Cal Stars Basketball Club and renowned multiple-time championship head coach in the California basketball high school ranks, has been named Nevada’s Women’s Basketball head coach, Director of Athletics Stephanie Rempe announced Tuesday.

Since founding Cal Stars in 2006 then taking over as head coach at Miramonte High School in 2008, Sopak has coached and developed talent which have gone on to make massive impacts at both the collegiate and professional levels of women’s basketball. Sopak was also named to Silver Wave Media’s 2025 “100 Most Impactful People in Women’s Basketball.”

Nine of his former players have been drafted by WNBA, with 25 USA Basketball alumni, 18 McDonald’s All-Americans and 17 Gatorade Players of the Year.

Chief among that group is current New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, who played both club and prep ball for Sopak before going on to a decorated collegiate career at Oregon, becoming the top pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft, and winning an Olympic Gold Medal with Team USA in 2024.

“Today’s announcement marks a defining moment for Nevada Women’s Basketball and for the University of Nevada. Kelly’s return to his alma mater brings not only expertise, but an energy and vision that matches the ambition of this program,” Rempe said. “His unparalleled success in growing talent and building high-performing programs aligns perfectly with the trajectory we envision for Nevada Women’s Basketball. He has mentored, coached and developed some of the very best players in the world. As the landscape of college athletics continues to evolve, Kelly is the forward-thinking, purpose-driven leader who will build a championship-caliber program and elevate the Wolf Pack to new heights.”

Serving as head coach at Carondelet High School in Concord, California, since 2020, Sopak led the Cougars to the 2025 CIF Division I state title and was named Cal-Hi Sports 2024-25 State Coach of the Year for girls’ basketball. Over six seasons at Carondelet, Sopak led the Cougars to the 2025 state title, three North Coast Section (NCS) titles, and three NorCal Championship Game appearances with one title while going 143-31. In January 2025, he joined a select group of California girls basketball head coaches when he won his 500th-career game, and boasts a career record of 541-97.

While head coach at Miramonte from 2008-20, Sopak guided the Matadors to a CIF Open Division NorCal title, five NCS championships and seven league titles while going 304-46. With Ionescu leading the way on the court from 2013-16, Miramonte went 119-9 and captured the 2016 CIF Open Division NorCal title and reached the state title game.

“I am truly honored and grateful to be selected as the next head coach of Nevada Women’s Basketball. As an alum, this place has shaped me in so many ways. I am the person I am today because of my time at this University, and that makes this opportunity deeply meaningful to me,” Sopak said. “This is a community that cares, that shows up, and that takes pride in its program, and I feel that. I am excited to pour everything I have into this role. We are going to build a program that reflects the toughness, the work ethic, and the spirit of Nevada. I cannot wait to get in the gym with this group of student athletes and get to work.”

Overseeing the nationally renowned Cal Stars program, Sopak has coached the program to the 2015 Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) title while guiding over 400 athletes to college basketball opportunities. As head coach of Cal Stars’ 17U squad, Sopak has led the club to three national titles, one national runner-up finish, and two additional Final Four appearances while winning over 1,000 games.

He also has coaching experience at the USA Basketball level, being selected as the court coach for the 2015 U16 National Team Trials.

Sopak embarked on his prep girl’s basketball coaching career in 2003 as an assistant under Mark Bucklew at Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. Following Bucklew’s retirement in 2005, Sopak took over as head coach and went on to a 94-20 record with three league titles and two section title-game appearances over four seasons before taking the Miramonte head job.

“Coach Kelly Sopak has established himself as one of the winningest women’s basketball coaches and developers of basketball talent on the West Coast. He brings a championship mentality and an incredible enthusiasm to lift our Women’s Basketball program to new heights,” said University President Brian Sandoval ’86. “As a graduate of our University, he understands what Wolf Pack Athletics means to our community, and is the ideal person to lead this new era of Wolf Pack women’s basketball. We are excited to welcome Kelly and his family home.”

Sopak is a 1995 graduate of the University, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He and his wife, Beverly, also a University of Nevada graduate, have two daughters, Lauren and Leah. Lauren currently serves as Vice President of Event Operations for Nike Tournament of Champions, while Leah holds a graduate assistant role with TCU women’s basketball which is currently 31-5 overall and in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.