Jordan Hamamoto draws up a play during a recent Saddleback College women’s basketball game. Since taking over as head coach in 2024, Hamamoto has brought the Bobcats back to prominence.
Jordan Hamamoto has led Saddleback College’s transformation into a playoff team.
By ERIKA JAMES
RAFU CONTRIBUTOR
Saddleback College women’s basketball completed a historic 2025-26 season with a 22-9 overall record, reaching the regional finals for the first time in 23 years.
Led by head coach Jordan Hamamoto, Saddleback completely shifted their identity in a standout season.
The Bobcats had playoff wins against L.A. Mission (71-46) and Glendale (47-43), which are the first playoff wins for Saddleback women’s basketball since 1996. The team ended their season with a loss in the regional finals to Mt. San Antonio College (67-51), bringing their best season in a couple of decades to an end.
Hamamoto brought a strong foundation and decorated background of experience and player development to the Bobcat program. He came to Saddleback from Cypress College, where he was the associate head coach for the men’s program for nine seasons. His primary focus was recruiting, practice/game planning, player development, and daily operations.
Prior to his Cypress College tenure, Hamamoto was the league MVP and All-CIF selection as a member of the Western High School basketball team. He played Division II basketball at Lake Superior State and NAIA basketball at Northwestern College. He also played one season at Irvine Valley College.
He graduated from the University of La Verne with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and earned his master’s degree in physical education from Azusa Pacific University. Hamamoto has also had an integral coaching role in the Ironmen Basketball program, coaching boys and girls from K-12 grades in clinics, group/individual training, and club teams as well.
Hamamoto has spent his life shaping competitive teams and gaining a reputation for growth-focused coaching, and the vision brought tangible results with Saddleback’s notable force in the Orange Empire Conference. He also attributes the success to his staff; assistant coaches Jason Edgmond, Cheyenne Myers, and Kasen Roussel “were so much help.”
But even through all the accolades and success, his takeaway seems to be the balance of competitiveness, mentorship, and fun. Hamamoto reflects, “The team really bonded from the start, which was surprising with a group of nine new players from last year. The girls would do Tik Tok dances every chance they got, but they wanted to work as well. I probably laughed the most I ever have in any season I’ve coached.”
One thing is clear: this team is building toward something bigger.
And with Jordan Hamamoto’s new leadership, Saddleback women’s basketball is a changed program. The fire is back, and this is only the beginning.