Yan was born in France into a basketball family—his father was on the French national team—and started playing professionally at 18. He quickly became one of the top players in the country and had a 10-year career playing in pro and semi-pro leagues in Europe, including 3 years on the ASVEL team owned by Tony Parker. His coaching career began in 2003 coaching men from 18-35+ years, and in 2007 he moved to the D1-equivalent club Chorale de Roanne in Lyon, where he coached U16-21 players training for national and European leagues. In 2015 he moved to Washington and started working with MI players in 2016. He loves coaching in this community, where he can help young players develop over the years as they grow up on the island. He is married to Kristin, who he met through basketball when he was an exchange student at Everett Community College, and together they have 2 kids, Jonah and Blake.

A proud alumni of Mercer Island, Marcus' passion for sports was cultivated in the Mercer Island program. Playing years in both the baseball and basketball youth programs, he understands what it means to practice, compete, and grow as an Islander. After attending Santa Clara University as a Presidential Scholar, I returned to the Seattle area to launch a company (funded by current/former executives from Costco, Starbucks, and EA). With prior experience mentoring young age groups, from kindergarten to 3rd grade, Marcus emphasizes skill development, teamwork, and the joy of the game.

Tony started his coaching career when attending high school in Sandpoint, ID, coaching his younger brothers' select teams. After attending school at Boise State, he jumped back into coaching when he moved to Bainbridge Island. He coached in the Bainbridge select program from 2013-2021. In addition to select, "Coach T" coached at Bainbridge high school three years as freshman and JV coach before getting a job on Mercer Island.

In his first year on MI he led the 4th grade boys select team to a state championship in 2022. The year after, he led Mercer Island 5th grade girls to a state championship at the 2023 tournament. The wins were the first state championships for both the boys and girls select programs since the state tournament began in 2013. 

Tony also runs various sports programs at the Boys & Girls Club including ESE which has made a name for itself in the world of girls youth basketball in the state of Washington.

Ardess has a long history of being involved in the Pacific Northwest basketball scene. Ardess, a Rainier Beach High School alumnus, played at the collegiate level at Bellevue College followed by a local professional ABA team. Ardess continues to be involved with our areas top current and former professional and collegiate players including coaching for The CrawsOver Seattle Pro-AM. Ardess began coaching youth AAU basketball in 2013 and started coaching with the Mercer Island basketball program in 2021. Ardess is a high energy coach who enjoys developing basketball skills in players at all levels.

Jake is entering his 4th year coaching in the Mercer Island Boys Basketball program having coached 5th-8th grade, as well as JV and Varsity in spring leagues. 

Jake grew up playing in the Mercer Island program and graduated from Mercer Island High School in 2014. He enjoys coaching at the youth level with the goal of providing a space for players to have fun and learn skills necessary to play at the next level.