Randy Draper

 

While at the University of Missouri, Randy Draper developed a love of basketball working as a student assistant with the men’s basketball program under Coach Norm Stewart. Draper began his head coaching career in Madison, MO. He coached the girls’ and boys’ junior high and the boys’ varsity basketball teams. Draper also coached boys’ baseball in the fall and spring. After one year at Madison, he returned to the University of Missouri serving as a graduate assistant for two years under Coach Stewart. Draper then spent seven years in Camdenton before continuing his career in Grain Valley, MO where he has spent 19 seasons and he continues today. In his 27 years as a head basketball coach, Coach Draper spent the first 19 years coaching boys and the last eight years coaching girls. Draper’s teams have built an overall record of 434-268, winning five District championships and advancing to one quarterfinal. Draper has received over 10 area and regional Coach of the Year awards, including, KMZU Coach of the Year for boys and girls’ basketball; Independence Examiner Coach of the Year for boys’ and girls’ basketball; and District Coach of the Year for boys’ and girls’ basketball guiding his teams to eight conference championships. Draper has been selected to coach in the MO-KAN All Star Game for both the boys and the girls’ sides, coaching once for the boys and twice for the girls. Several of Coach Draper’s basketball and tennis players have continued their athletic careers at the college level. Coach Draper, the son of longtime basketball coach Jim Draper, is married to Michelle, and they have one son, Michael, who is now in his first year as a head boys’ basketball coach.