Youth Sports 2026 - Meet the Team

Melanie Seiser Vice President, Youth Sports & Community Development

Julia Oppedisano Manager, Youth Sports

Deric Nichols Coordinator, Youth Basketball Programs

Jessica Davis Senior Director, Youth Basketball Operations

DeAndre Patrick Youth Sports Content Specialist

Devonte Black Coordinator, Youth Basketball Programs

Back to Youth Sports Home

Meet The Team

About Me Hometown: Canfield, OH College: Ohio University Coaching Experience: Youth Soccer What is your WHY? The person I am today is largely due to the life lessons I earned through participating in team sports. Movement and physical fitness through sport is SO important for youth to establish healthy habits for adulthood and I’m grateful to be able to help influence in Northeast Ohio. Hobby (outside of basketball): I LOVE to cook and spend time with friends and family over a good meal. Random Fun Fact: I have been a group fitness instructor for eight years and also hold a certification as a youth fitness specialist.

Melanie Seiser Vice President, Youth Sports & Community Development

Cavs Youth Coaches

About Me Hometown: Stone Mountain, GA College: Florida State University Coaching Experience: Assistant Coach & Director of Basketball Operations for Tennessee State University What does it mean to you to be a coach? That you receive the honor and privilege of someone putting their trust in you to bring the best out of them. What is your WHY? To impact lives daily on and off the court and develop human potential to be the best they can be. What do you love most about the Cavs? That I get the opportunity to do what I love. Favorite Food: Chicken Wings and Nacho Cheese Sunflower Seeds. Role Models: My parents. Random Fun Fact: I love playing video games and own my own company called GameHer.

Jessica Davis Director, Youth Basketball Operations

About Me Hometown: Strongsville, OH College: Michigan State University Coaching Experience: Youth diving, highschool diving What is your WHY? My WHY is to be able to help inspire and grow kids to become the best versions of themselves through sport. I am the person I am today because I was an athlete. What do you love most about the Cavs: I love being able to be a part of such an amazing organization that I grew up with. I also take great pride in working for an owner who was a Spartan! Favorite Color: Orange Hobby (outside of basketball): Working Out Random Fun Fact: I was a collegiate diver at Michigan State

Julia Oppedisano Senior Coordinator, Youth Sports

Devonte Black Coordinator, Youth Basketball Programs

About Me College: Ohio Christian University Coaching Experience: I have coached high school college and youth level basketball for the past 6 years. Prior Playing Experience: I played at the NAIA level at Ohio Christian University as a point guard under Coach Casey Coons. What is your WHY: My why is because I love what the game of basketball has provided me in my life. Basketball has taught me that consistent hard work and perseverance you can achieve anything you put your mind to. I want to not only develop the youth on the court, but to also teach successful habits through basketball that they can take for the rest of their lives. What does it mean to you to be a coach?: To me coaching means being able to serve the athletes that you are working with reach their highest potential and give them the tools needed to do so. Favorite Food: Pizza. Hobbies outside of Basketball: I love going to lift weights, bowling, movies, and the arcade. Random Fun Fact: I once hit a halfcourt shot during the halftime of an NBA game.

Melanie Seiser Vice President, Youth Sports & Community Development

Julia Oppedisano Senior Coordinator, Youth Sports

Devonte Black Coordinator, Youth Basketball Programs

About Me Hometown: Cleveland, OH College: Hiram College Coaching Experience: 6 years (basketball) Prior Experience: Benedictine HS varsity staff, Cavs Academy Coaching Staff, Grassroots Basketball, LTB AAU What is your WHY: Being able to show the kids at an early age the things I picked up on later in my career. What does it mean to you to be a coach?: It means the world, I can teach kids life lessons through the game of basketball while having a blast. Hobbies outside of Basketball: Bowling Role Model: Deric Nichols Sr What's your favorite quote? To get something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done before."

Deric Nichols Specialist, Youth Basketball Program

About Me Hometown: Euclid, OH College: Cleveland State University What does "inspire play" mean to you: Inspire the minds of the next generation to utilize sports as a vehicle to achieve their dreams. Prior Experience: Benedictine HS varsity staff, Cavs Academy Coaching Staff, Grassroots Basketball, LTB AAU. Favorite Band: Maverick City Music Hobbies outside of Basketball: I love cinema and filmmaking. Favorite Color: Purple Why the Cavs: Cleveland or nowhere Role Model: My grandfather and father What do you do outside of the Cavs? Youth ministry at my church. Random Fun Fact: I don't like pizza.

DeAndre Patrick Youth Sports Content Specialist