DeShawn Joseph (Tulalip): The Forward Thinking Leader of Team Unity Basketball

By Dan Ninham

DeShawn Joseph, 40, is an enrolled Tulalip tribal member from Tulalip, WA. He coaches Team Unity Basketball for girls and boys ages 12 to 18.

“My coaching began in 2010 while seeking a place for my oldest daughter to play basketball near our home in Tulalip, WA,” said DeShawn. “Coaching our local novice players in a premier league with the Western Washington Premier Basketball Association (WWPBA).”

“Playing much above our skill level we had some serious learning for a few seasons,” said DeShawn. “Around 2012, we had finished a basketball tournament in San Francisco placing third. Soon after, Unity would break while my oldest achieved some academic accolades to get her in a prestigious preparatory private institution in Seattle at Bishop Blanchet HS. We then were struck with the gruesome scene of my kids close friends being gunned down at the school shooting of Marysville Pilchuck HS in Marysville, WA.” 

“I then began a quest to never stop working for the youth as six kids were gunned down. One being extremely close to our family was fellow Unity basketball player Shaylee Chuckulnaskit. I taught her how to play basketball. I might have been Abel to alter a life or save one with my coaching or travel ball efforts getting kids an opportunity. 2014 was tough for us as a family and community as many Tulalip families were heartbroken with the tragedy,” added DeShawn. 

“As a kid I could play any sport and excel,” said DeShawn. “For the most part I played some small travel ball and the ‘rez’ ball circuit throughout my career growing up. I never had the support kids get nowadays. My main athletic accomplishment is winning the Yakama Big Man’s basketball tourney with some of my dear friends. My coaching is winning the 2019 Denver All West gold division with my high school girls.”

“My tribal core values began with living within the boundaries of the Tulalip Tribes reservation for the entire years of my life in Tulalip,” said DeShawn. “As a family we practice our culture on our annual canoe journey. I have raised my kids in traditional ways of knowing both our language and culture while traveling the ancestral highways of our ancestors in potlatch.” 

“My culture defines me as a coach for sure,” said DeShawn. “It’s my people I nurture to carry to the next generation. Teaching my best while knowing the peoples songs and dances along with language. Treaty rights and history are just a portion of knowing who we are and where we come from. I use our main focused sport to achieve my life skills taught to my athletes through me.” 

“My main positive influence on coaching is my grandmother the late Loretta James,” said DeShawn. “She pushed me to achieve the things that mean the most to our children, love. Each and every kid is like my own. I never met my father. So returning a father figure with a pure heart is paying off.”

“Other influences are the late Greg Williams, Albert Young, and Tom Grover rest their souls. My current mentors include Brent Cahwee, Marlin Fryberg, Leon Enick and all my family who has helped me along my basketball career path to be here. I love all my mentors.” 

“Greg and Albert both coached me as a young boy in football,” said DeShawn. “Greg Williams and Albert Young were tribal youth workers in my childhood years. Both lost their lives while fishing on our treaty waterways.” 

“Tom Grover lived a long life coaching youth sports in my state,” said DeShawn. 

“Marlin Fryberg is a long time councilman in Tulalip and played a ton of ball,” said DeShawn. “Marlin has been a tribal leader for many years here from Tulalip. He still gives me guidance to this day.” 

“Brent Cahwee is like the father I always wanted and needed,” said DeShawn. “He keeps me motivated.”

“Leon Enick is another coach that still keeps me guided with his wisdom,” said DeShawn. “Leon Enick was our high school basketball coach for our Tulalip tribal kids. He is one of my major supporters behind the scenes with talks and helping me keep my path.” 

“DeShawn has been a go-getter since he was a youngster,” said Leon Enick. “He is quick on his feet and quicker processing the game of basketball. He may not be the tallest guy on the court but he will beat you with his speed and knowledge of the game. I am very happy to see him giving back to the young ones what he was taught not so long ago. We need more like him.”

“I hear from DeShawn about once a month during the season with him seeking advice on different things. He is doing good things in Indian Country for the next generation of players to get exposure at the college level. Sometime we as coaches don’t get the thanks or good job working with the kids, but just let DeShawn know that I see him and his good work has not gone unnoticed,” added Leon.

Tournament and league directors are people who know the ideals of coaches and thus the character of teams that attend their events. 

Gary Pedersen, Arizona Elite 28.5 league director, talked about DeShawn: “DeShawn has been extremely proactive in getting his teams exposure at the highest levels. He has been very receptive to a diverse range of opinions in the competitive basketball arena in order to provide new opportunities for the girls interested in playing at the collegiate level.

“He first reached out to me regarding the 28.5 league held in Phoenix early last year and put together several very competitive teams that showcased the talent of his club. He has no hesitation to make the necessary calls and arrangements for his girls if the end result puts them in a better light to be recruited. He’s a forward thinking leader for Unity and I look forward to working with him on several events at the new Legacy Sports USA complex in 2022,” added Gary. 

“DeShawn has been a great advocate for youth sports,” said Lanette Lewis, NABI tournament director. “He is finding ways to showcase our talented Native youth and has created a platform to get these kids recognized. He is not only creating an opportunity for kids to play at the college level, but is also using basketball as a tool for our kids to receive a college education.”

DeShawn is also a major influence of his athletes. The athletes are being empowered to learn skills on the court and leadership off the court.

“DeShawn is a very determined man, fueled by the low statistical numbers of Native American-collegiate athletes, and passed on ancestors,” said current player Micayla Silas. “I played against his program, Lady Unity, several times before I joined their team last August. Each time we played them I remembered thinking how passionate he was about coaching and leading his girls and boys teams to success. I couldn’t be more thankful to be given the opportunity to play for him and his incredible Lady Unity program.”

“Since I first played for him, I think in September of 2020, my passion grew deeper and more meaningful for the game. The growing passion is mainly due to how DeShawn incorporates MMIW awareness into our gameplay, reminding us often that we play for our stolen sisters, the young native women watching and looking up to us, our indigenous people that may not be able to play anymore, and for our resilient and brave ancestors,” added Micayla. 

“Not only has DeShawn’s coaching brought me to see the game in different aspects, but he’s taken a father figure role model from the beginning of our relationship,” said Micayla. “Everyone needs a male energy and loving leader in their life, and I’m more than happy to call that person my coach. He truly took me under his wing like his own child, pushing my game to limits I truly thought we’re unreachable, and showing me fatherly love and emotional support when I need it.”

“Coach DeShawn has done so much, not only for my success, but for the wellbeing of my family and for that I couldn’t be more thankful for all of the hard work that he puts into this ever-growing basketball program. He’s a coach with a big heart, and big dreams. Once he puts his mind to something, there’s absolutely no getting in his way. For the Judge, we’re continuing her legacy,” added Micayla. 

“Coach Deshawn is an amazing coach, mentor, and family member,” said former player Noheah Morrison. “Coach Deshawn is an uplifting coach and is someone who believes in you no matter what and will see great things in your future. His leadership inspires us as players we can do anything and achieve the impossible and that we are one of kind players and together we are amazing.”

“Unity is his motto, and it’s the foundation of our team. Deshawn is a very hard working coach, and is putting everything into this basketball program. I am proud to say I’ve been a part of this growing family and to say I have made lifetime sisterhood relationships,” added Noheah. 

“Unity basketball gave me multiple opportunities and built me into the player and person I am today,” said Noheah. 

“Unity basketball, because of the Joseph family and Coach Deshawn are here to make history and what they have achieved so far is just the beginning. There is so much to come more to come, and you will see amazing players come from Unity basketball,” added Noheah.

DeShawn said: “My main story line is this: I’m here fighting a fight for our village kids. Representing our nations an ancestors to help combat the 0.1% (1-1000) collegiate basketball play Native Americans are facing. Out of the 50 states I stand with 1 other national program getting our native athletes exposure on a national level outside of the local confines of travel ball. Unity basketball is representing 16 states, 60+ athletes and representing 50+ tribal nations making us the largest in the land representing tribal nations. We are a family run nonprofit organization. In 2018 we had close to 5 players in Unity. We now coach over 200+ athletes in the past three years.” 

“Without my incredible wife Sharmayne Joseph teaching me to love in the way I do, I wouldn’t be the person I am,” said DeShawn. “I owe my life to her and try to pay her back daily. She is my one true supporter through it all.” 

Sharmayne Joseph, wife of DeShawn, talked about her husband the leader of elite national level girls’ basketball: “The director of UNITY Basketball, DeShawn Joseph, has led the UNITY Basketball program to where it is today. Through many ups and downs he treats every athlete that is part of the program like they are his own. Just when you think he has accomplished one thing, he is onto the next venture to ensure that the youth get the much needed exposure they deserve.” 

“Working for the youth, I don’t think he knew this would be his path. But his Grandma who had raised him has guided him to this path. Everything he has done in his lifetime was a lesson and to help him on this journey. His Grandma was a tribal judge and worked for the people” added Sharmayne.

“DeShawn is a father of four daughters and one son,” said Sharmayne. “He is learning as he goes and growing up with his children. Growing up without knowing his father. He has helped him to ensure that he takes care of all of the youth to get them to the next level of play. He gives the opportunity to get off of the ‘rez’ and to experience life outside of the normal comfort zone. To grow and gain life experiences and prepare for when the youth venture off to the next level.”

“Just when you think DeShawn is sitting idle he is on to the next level working to ensure the youth get the recognition they all deserve. Indian Country is filled with so much talent and there are only a few that are getting recognized. There are so many athletes that are a part of the UNITY Program that are getting that national exposure and opportunities to get to the next level,” added Sharmayne.

“DeShawn still maintains those same relationships with past UNITY athletes who may need that assistance in getting to school,” said Sharmayne. “He is still making phone calls and setting up meetings to ensure those athletes get the notoriety and opportunities. The work for the youth doesn’t stop after the athlete’s age out of the program.”

United Natives In Tribal Youth – “UNITY is here to help the kids like me,” said DeShawn. “Needing a home, love, opportunity and much more. A place one can achieve their dreams with like-minded individuals pursuing the same desires. All family-oriented and built for them.” 

“Unity will go further than the boundaries of ‘rez’ ball and pursue viewing from colleges in AAU basketball in the grassroots realm,” said DeShawn. “Looking to get each individual a place on a college roster while building a player and group of friends to last a lifetime with memories and accolades to show for it.” 

“In 2022 Unity Basketball is getting our own facility built to house and train our players and local community members of the Yakama Nation,” said DeShawn. “My wife’s tribal homelands. We plan on building a youth center as a part of the facility to help the children pursue their dreams of playing basketball.” 

“In a five year span we plan to be a preparatory academy to house student athlete’s full time. Making it one of Indian Countries only preparatory academy for Native American kids specializing in basketball,” added DeShawn. 

“Over a 10 year plan, I see my baby getting their turn in the cycle of Unity players,” said DeShawn. “Coached by all the players currently playing to give back to the next generation including Jacinta Buckley and Micayla Silas. All players who I hold dear to the future of my girls Unity program.” 

“This is a dream filled by the fuel of need for one person to change a life or save one,” said DeShawn. “All for no pay to date. Never will I be buried with any money. But the hearts I touched will be present at my resting moment. I do this with the most heart and passion you would want and more. The desire to change a nation. The fire to warm the coldest village. I’ve pledged my life to the betterment of our nation’s children.” 

“All in the honor of my late grandmother the great honorable judge Loretta James,” said DeShawn. “I will live the rest of my days trying to make her happy along with are ancestors.” 

“Never did I see myself on this path,” said DeShawn. “It’s all the creators will. Pushing me to be better and work harder for the next kid. Giving light in dark places while guiding my own family’s path of life.”

“I stand by my slogan for Unity: ‘…it takes a village,’” said DeShawn.

Photo Credit Ryan Coody/NDNSPORTS