Coaching Staff

 

Delandis Beck - Director of Boys Basketball

Born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, Coach Beck played basketball and football at Springfield Southeast High School. After graduating from high school in 2001 he moved to Champaign, Illinois to attend the University of Illinois. Beck graduated with a Bachelors degree in Sociology from the U of I and a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership from Lincoln Christian University. Delandis currently works full time for the Illini Land Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He’s played basketball his entire life and has been coaching since 2011, both recreational and competitive.

Coach Beck founded Illinois Basketball Club (IBC) in 2020 with a dream of helping to build the basketball culture in Champaign county and surrounding areas.

 

Matt Clark - Coach

Coach Clark grew up in Evansville, Indiana.  He has been coaching or playing basketball for 20+ years.  Most recently, he has served as the 8th grade boys basketball coach at Mahomet-Seymour Junior High.  Prior to that, he was the Head Men’s Basketball Coach and athletic director at Lincoln Christian University.  

As a player, Coach Clark played college basketball at Lincoln Christian University where he was a 3 time All-American and National College Player of the Year (NCCAA) his senior year.  His number was retired and added to the Hall of Fame in 2005 as he was the all-time leading scorer (2,744 points).

 

Zachary Davis - Director of Girls Basketball

Born and raised in Peoria, Illinois, graduated from Peoria High School and a member of the 2003-2004 Illinois State Championship boys basketball team. 2011 Alum of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (Go Dawgs!). Davis previously served as an Asst. Coach for Schlarman Jr. High school girls and high school boys programs. He also served as the Head Coach for the Schlarman varsity girls and boys programs. Davis now serves as the Asst. Coach for the Danville Area Community College Men’s basketball program.  Aside from coaching, Zach currently serves as a Vermilion County Sheriff's Deputy and has goal to stay connected to the youth and community as much as possible.

 

John Elliott - Coach

John’s calling in life is to help people he believes in maximize their full potential. By day, he does so as a consultant to business leaders through his company, Untapt Consulting. By night and weekend, he does so as a coach to 5th graders through Illinois Basketball Club.  And every day, he does so as a father to his five children (with a huge assist from his wife).

 

Tianna Kirkland - Coach

Tianna Kirkland (Coach T) is joining Illinois Basketball Club after spending the last twenty years as a Division 1 coach.  A native of Flint, MI, “Coach T” moved to Champaign, IL in 2012 to join the University of Illinois Women’s Basketball coaching staff and remained on the staff for the past ten years before retiring in 2022 to spend more time with her son. Kirkland’s previous coaching experiences include a five year tenure at The University of Michigan, one season at Easter Michigan University, two seasons at Butler University and two years at Central Michigan University.
Kirkland graduated from Ferris State University in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Biology and was a four-year letterwinner in both basketball and track and field at the school.  She was team’s leading scorer and rebounder in her final two seasons, helping the Bulldogs to make the program’s first-ever NCAA Division II Tournament appearance in 2000. Her jersey has been retired by the school and she was inducted into the Hall of Fame at both her former high school and university in 2020.

 

Marc Martindale - Coach

Marc has been around basketball since a young age. His dad was the head athletic trainer for the Illinois men’s basketball team for 12 years and so he spent a lot of time around it. Because of that he went to the University of Illinois and became a basketball manager for 4 years. After his time there he knew he wanted to stay around basketball and sport so he began working in athletics. First down in St. Louis at Washington University, then at the University of Illinois and now at Illinois State University. He has also been an assistant coach for the Mahomet Middle school 8th grade boys team for 3 years.

 

Karidia Shelby - Coach

Karidia Shelby, born and raised in Urbana, Illinois, developed a love for basketball during her high school years at Urbana High School. Graduating in 2013, she left a mark on the court, earning accolades such as Most Improved Player during her freshman year on the varsity team, All-Area Mention, Best Rebounder, and Most Valuable Player. Karidia is the mother of two children, Kye and Kori Simpson. She has a passion for Christ, youth development, communication, and community.

Karidia graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor in Communication and a minor in Social Work. During her time at the university, she participated in BTN+ sports broadcasting for both the men's and women's basketball teams.

Karidia is currently a producer for a lifestyle show at WCIA, ciLiving. Additionally, she is an assistant director at Bundles of Joy Learning Center, where she helps shape the educational experiences of young learners.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Karidia finds fulfillment in coaching and mentoring youth. She has coached with First String Basketball, leading her 3rd-grade team to an undefeated season and securing the 2023 championship.

Karidia’s current community involvement includes being a Stephens Family YMCA Board Member and CU 1 to 1 Mentor.

 

Israel Wells - Coach

I was born and raised just outside of Champaign IL. I grew up playing and loving basketball which I did in high school for both the Unity Rockets and the Champaign Cyclones. I attended Parkland College where I received my associate degree in Kinesiology. During that time, I also earned a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) license. I then attended the University of Illinois (UIUC) and graduated in 2021 with a bachelors degree in Kinesiology. While I was a student at UIUC, I served as a personal trainer for Parkland College’s athletic clientele. I also participated in a strength and conditioning internship at UIUC with their sports teams. I was accredited as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) in fall 2021. Currently, I train at Parkland college as well as having my own clientele.

NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
NSCA Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)