Even in retirement, Coach Yanai remains a fixture in the southern California basketball arena after amassing over 400 wins in a remarkable head coaching career, including 19 in Carson. In addition to his success on the court, which included numerous Coach of the Year Awards by the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and the NCAA, he was honored in 2000 as an outstanding coach at the John R. Wooden Award Ceremony held at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, given annually to an individual who exemplifies the outstanding qualities established by the legendary coach.

Comparing Coach Yanai with Coach Wooden is appropriate. More than the success on the court, when former players are asked about playing for him, they talk about learning the value of teamwork, integrity and commitment. Over Yanai’s coaching career, hundreds of former players and colleagues were touched by him, learning valuable life lessons that helped achieve their own personal success.

Overall, Coach Yanai spent 28 years coaching in the Los Angeles area and finished with over 400 victories, one of only two CCAA coaches to hit that milestone.