With over two decades of coaching experience across professional and collegiate levels, Hernando Planells (Coach H) brings a wealth of basketball knowledge, leadership, and passion to the NBA Basketball School in Dubai.

Coach H’s career include time with the Maine Red Claws, the Boston Celtics affiliate in the NBA G-League where he worked with current Celtics Assistant GM Austin Ainge, 12 year NBA veteran Avery Bradley, Mario West and others. He spent time coaching internationally with the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Japan, University of the East in the Philippines and served as head coach for the New Zealand JR National team.

His time in U.S. college basketball, include serving as the Associate Head Women’s Coach at Duke University where they won an ACC Championship, 2 Elite Eights, 6 NCAA Tournament appearances where he guided 11 future WNBA players include Las Vegas Aces and Team USA guard Chelsea Grey while achieving a 100% graduation rate. He also served as Head Women’s Basketball Coach at William Jessup University, leading the team to their first and only GSAC championship, winning coach of the year and an NAIA national tournament appearance, and he also spent time at the University of Illinois and UNLV with former NBA Assistant coach Bill Bayno.

Known for his leadership in developing players and empowering his teams, Hernando’s coaching philosophy emphasizes courage, communication and a connected community.

Coach H is the proud father of Preston Planells who is on the women’s basketball coaching staff at New Mexico State and Gabrielle Planells a senior theatre student at Chico State University.

Hernando’s mission is to inspire the next generation of players in Dubai and the rest of UAE through the power of basketball, empowering them to succeed both on and off the court.