John Ball, Head Coach
John Ball is entering his 6th season at Harcum with the start of the 2022-23 season. His first 5 seasons came as an assistant coach but this season, he is taking over the reigns of the program. Ball was introduced as the second head coach in program history, taking over for Drew Kelly who departed for an assistant coaching job at Northern Illinois University.
Ball has been a member of the staff since 2017-18. In that time, the Bears have averaged 24 wins per season with an overall record of 121-26 while scoring 96.5 points per game. The Bears have been ranked in the NJCAA Top 25 each season, earning their highest ranking in week 4 of 2022 while being ranked #6. In 2021-22, Ball helped guide the team to a Region 15 championship, East District championship, and a run to the National Quarterfinals in Hutchinson, Kansas. Also, in 2020, he was selected as one of the 50 most impactful coaches in Junior College basketball by Silver Waves Media.
Since joining the staff, Coach Ball has also assisted in the development and recruitment of 17 players who moved on to play at a Division 1, 4 year school. Of the players who moved on to play at a Division 1 school, 6 were named a NJCAA All-American.
Ball came to Harcum after serving as the video coordinator at La Salle University under Dr. John Giannini for two season. Ball helped with preseason first team Atlantic 10, Jordan Price, and his development throughout his junior season. During the 2016 season, Ball was instrumental in creating video edits and scouting reports for preseason second team, Jordan Price, and BJ Johnson, who played in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, and Orlando Magic.
In college, Ball was a head manager for Patrick Chambers at Penn State University. His main responsibility was to help coordinate all video projects and film exchange, as well as gameday set up for home and away basketball games.
Ball worked camps all around the tri-state area including Hoop Group, being the main site director for Elevate Hoops, Penn State University, University of Delaware, and West Chester University. Hometown: Phoenixville, PA Education: Penn State University, 2014 – B.A. in History
C.J. Scott, Assistant Coach
Back for another season on the staff is coaching veteran C.J. Scott. Scott oversees Harcum’s player development program while also working as an Assistant Athletic Director, serving as the Director of Athletic Facilities. Coach C.J. also runs his own Player Development Company, 1NE HOOP DREAM.
Scott has been a member of the coaching staff since 2015. In that time, the Bears have averaged 24 wins per season with an overall record of 171-40. The Bears have been ranked in the NJCAA Top 25 poll 4 out of Coach Scott’s 7 seasons, earning their highest ranking in week 4 of 2022 while being ranked #6. In 2015-16 and 2021-22, Scott helped guide the team to a Region 15 championship, East District championships, and a run to the National Quarterfinals in Hutchinson, Kansas in 2021-22.
Since joining the staff, Coach Scott has also assisted in the development and recruitment of 24 players who moved on to play at a Division 1, 4 year school.
Before joining the coaching staff, Scott graduated from Harcum in 2010. He played under Coach Kelly for 2 seasons (and one red-shirt season) before transferring to Louisiana Tech University to finish his playing career. C.J. was a member of Harcum’s powerhouse 2010 team that won 25 consecutive games and was ranked #1 in the NJCAA Division 1 basketball poll.
Hometown: Milford, DE Education: Harcum College, 2009 – A.A. in Sports Management; Harcum College, 2010 – A.A. in Business Management; Louisiana Tech University, 2011 – B.S. in Sociology; Millersville University, 2013 – M.S. in Sports Management
Jabari Tate is entering his first season at Harcum with the start of the 2022-23 season. Tate’s main responsibilities include scouting, recruiting, player development, and day to day operations for the program.
Before coming to Harcum, Jabari was at Scotland Campus as the head coach for the Prep “Black” team and assistant coach of the Prep “Red” team. He coached and developed 5 players who moved on to a Division 1 school and 3 players that moved on to a Division 2 school. His teams also competed in the national tournaments.
Before Scotland, Jabari was the head manager at Hampton University. His responsibilities included breaking down practice and game film, assisting in the game scouts, and day-to-day operations. Hometown: Steelton, PA Education: Hampton University, 2021 – B.S. in Sports Management
Preston Paulson Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota Education: Minnesota State University, Mankato - B.S. Sport Management
Preston Paulson is entering his first season at Harcum College with the start of the 2023-2024 season. Before arriving at Harcum, Paulson was at Golden State Prep as the Head Coach for GSP Grey, while also serving as an assistant coach for Prolific Prep in Napa, California for four seasons. During those four years Paulson coached and developed 45 Division I players and 6 McDonald's All Americans.
In addition to the player development achievements, Coach Paulson's contributions to the overall team success at Prolific Prep and Golden State Prep was evident. In his four seasons at Prolific Prep, the team had an overall record of 123-15. This led to four consecutive Geico High School Nationals invitations with wins over La Lumiere and Sunrise Christian. As Head Coach for Golden State Prep, the average record was 35 wins per season with over 25 Division I signees.
In the off season, Paulson works with the NBA Summer League as a team assistant. He started off with the Miami Heat for four summers and has been with the Dallas Mavericks for the past two summers. His NBA experience stems back to an internship within the Minnesota Timberwolves front office and scouting department after graduating from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
In college, Paulson was awarded several promotions from student manager to video coordinator, then ultimately to undergrad assistant coach at the NCAA Division II program Minnesota State University, Mankato. During those years the Minnesota State Mavs completed each season with over 20 wins, two of those years having over 80% winning records and 2 NSIC Championships.