Joseph Esposito Hired to Lead St. Mary’s Boys Basketball

Extensive college coaching pedigree

Former Cesar Chavez and Missouri Kansas City assistant Joseph Esposito brings more than four decades of college basketball experience to Phoenix St. Mary’s. He previously guided Laveen Cactus Canyon for two seasons before moving to the KC program in 2022. Esposito’s stops include UNLV, Memphis, Texas Tech, Minnesota, Tennessee State, Angelo State and Assumption University in Maine, giving him a broad view of player development and program building. The Knights’ athletic director, Jose Lucero, praised Esposito’s “experience, leadership, and passion for developing young men.” The hiring was announced Thursday, July 9, after Damin Lopez resigned following the Section 7 tournament in June.

Roster rebuild and key additions

St. Mary’s is adding depth for the upcoming season. In June the school signed 6‑foot‑5 wing Martray Bagley, brother of Denver Nuggets forward Marvin Bagley III, from Dream City, and 6‑1 guard Pierce Harrington transferred from Scottsdale Saguaro. Incoming freshman Oba Adigun, a 6‑6 athlete who can play both inside and outside, is expected to see significant minutes. The Knights also lose a major alumni pipeline, as 7‑foot McDonald’s All‑American Cameron Williams graduated and enrolled at Duke. Returning guards Carter Bagley and Mick Riordan will anchor the backcourt in the Section 7 showcase.

Esposito’s vision for the Knights

Esposito emphasized his desire to keep players committed amid the summer coaching churn. “I had 40 years of coaching college basketball,” he told The Republic, “I was ready to do whatever…And the St. Mary’s job opened up, and I’m like, ‘Whoa.’” He says the opportunity to lead a “nationally known basketball program” at Saint Mary’s Catholic High School feels like a fresh start. The new coach also highlighted his gratitude for the chance, noting he has “always believed that every door opens for a reason.” His goal is to restore the Knights to prominence while building on the program’s proud tradition.

Legacy to build upon

St. Mary’s basketball tradition includes two 4A state championships under Damin Lopez, who guided the Knights to the Open Division title game last season before falling to Sunnyslope. The school hopes Esposito’s decade‑plus of high‑level coaching can continue that winning culture. “We were looking for a leader who could build upon the proud tradition of Saint Mary’s Basketball while embracing the values that define our school,” said athletic director Jose Lucero. With Esposito, his wife Mary, and a mix of returning talent and new transfers, the Knights aim to make a splash in the upcoming season. Fans and former players will watch closely as the program looks to re-establish its status as a regional powerhouse.