Coach Paul Hardiman is an Arizona native raised in Ahwatukee where he attended Valley Christian High School and had a very successful athletic career.  One of many Highlights of his high school athletic career was winning back-to-back State Championships. Paul was a two-sport athlete playing basketball and football. After high school, Paul accepted a full athletic scholarship to Grambling State University (GSU), in Louisiana. Paul spent two seasons at GSU and opted to transfer and complete his playing career at Azusa Pacific University (APU) in Southern California.

Paul has over 12 years of Coaching and Director experience. These past 4 years, he has been the Director and Coach of the nationally ranked, Arizona Gym Rats. Prior to that, Paul has coached with some of the top club basketball programs in Arizona to include AZ Magic Pump-N-Run, AZ Premier, Passion4Ball, and was the Director of AZ Top Flight. Paul has also served as the Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach for Apache Junction High School and Westwind Prep.  He also spent time as an Assistant Varsity Coach and the Head Junior Varsity Coach at Desert Vista High School.

Coach Paul’s goal is to build highly competitive basketball programs which are assembled with players and coaches who have great character, along with a passion for the game. He approaches life in a manner that resembles his style of playing as an athlete, with Passion, Competitiveness, and Love.