Utah Valley women’s basketball head coach Dan Nielson has announced a new addition to his staff with the hiring of Keith Lai as an assistant coach. An experienced coach with a background in player development, his addition will enhance the UVU program.
“I’m thrilled to add Keith to our program,” said Nielson. “He is an elite skill development coach who has won at every level he has coached. His energy and passion will make an immediate impact on the floor with his scouting ability and off the floor in recruiting. We can’t wait to get him started with this group!”
Most recently, Lai helped lead Pleasant Grove High School to the UHSAA Class 5A State Championship and a perfect 26-0 record, and the team included incoming UVU freshman Tabi Clark, who earned First Team All-State honors.
He has worked with some of the top prep players in Utah, including two-time Utah Gatorade Player of the Year and multiple All-American Emilee Skinner, who was named the No. 4 college prospect in the country and now plays college basketball at Duke University.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to join the Utah Valley University Women’s Basketball program as an assistant coach and contribute to the program’s success under Coach Nielson’s leadership,” said Lai. “The culture he has built around player development, competitiveness, accountability, and academic success is something I would be proud to be a part of. I’m eager to bring energy, a strong work ethic, and a team-first approach while helping the program continue to compete for conference championships and postseason opportunities.”
His extensive coaching background includes head coaching at Valley Christian High School (2012-2015). During his time as head coach at Bentley Upper School, he led the team to an NCS D5 Runner-up finish and was a Northern California regional semifinalist in 2017. During his successful stint, he sent players to destinations such as UC Santa Barbara, Houston, and Prairie View A&M.
Lai has been successful at multiple levels, including the club circuit, helping Prolific Prep of Napa, Calif., to the No. 7 seed at the Geico National Championship. The team was ranked as high as 10 and developed several notable players, including a pair of NBA Draft Picks.
As a camp clinician, he has been invited to work at some of the most prestigious camps in the country, including Under Armor Stephen Curry in 2018, where he worked with NBA draft prospects such as Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, Cole Anthony, Nico Mannion, and Jalen Green.
His ability to develop talent has led him to work with NBA Trainer Brandon Payne on off-season and pre-draft workouts for players like Stephen Curry, Damion Lee, and Dennis Smith, Jr., and to assist in preparing Frank Jackson, Hamidou Diallo, Trae Young, and Joel Berry II for the NBA draft.
Lai said “I’m excited about the opportunity to support the athletic department’s vision to pursue championships and provide a first-class student-athlete experience that prepares young women for success both on and off the court. Coach Nielson’s leadership has helped the program reach new heights, including its first NCAA Tournament appearance and multiple postseason runs, and I welcome the opportunity to contribute to that continued success while continuing to grow as a coach.”
