Grâce Lokole

Grâce Lokole is a Canadian professional basketball coach, currently serving as the head coach for the Niagara River Lions of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL).

Lokole was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At age four, his family moved to Dallas, Texas. When he was 15 years old, they moved to Welland, Ontario. He later attended Notre Dame College School in Welland.

Lokole would attend the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. He played one season of college basketball with the Gryphons in 2009. Lokole played four games, averaging one point, one rebound, and 0.3 assists. He scored a career-best three points in a loss to Ottawa.

In 2014, Lokole became an assistant coach under Keith Vassell at Niagara College. For the following season, Lokole joined the coaching staff for the Niagara River Lions of the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL) under head coach and general manager Ken Murray. On February 20, 2016, he was promoted to head coach after Murray resigned from his position.

Following college, Lokole began writing about basketball for multiple different media outlets. As a result, he drew the attention of Top Prospects Canada CEO Shomari Williams and began working for them. With Top Prospects, Lokole attended many tournaments expanded his knowledge of Canadian basketball. This helped him eventually land an assistant coaching job at Niagara College. Lokole also returned to his high school to contribute to its basketball program.