Cherished Berkeley High School Basketball Coach Dies

BERKELEY, CA — Gene Nakamura, a former coach and mentor who catapulted the Berkeley High School girls' basketball program into the limelight during his tenure, has died, officials said.

It's unclear when exactly Nakamura passed. A cause of death was also not immediately known.

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Nakamura graduated from Berkeley High School in 1962, according to Berkeley Unified School District officials.

He returned in 1969, where for the better part of four decades, he'd shaped the lives of students who passed through the halls of Berkeley High School.

Nakamura built a powerhouse during his tenure as coach of the Berkeley High School girls basketball team. He led the Yellowjackets to two CIF state championships, multiple Northern California titles, and more than 560 wins during his 37-years at the helm.

But Nakamura's legacy, BUSD officials said, extended past all the accolades, and will live on, even after his death.

He instilled discipline, consistency, humility and deep commitment within his athletes, helping them understand "the value of preparation, teamwork, resilience, and trust."

"His legacy lives on in the students he guided, the program he helped build, and the enduring spirit of Berkeley High School," BUSD officials said. "Once a Jacket, always a Jacket."