Yanni Hufnagel is a name that stands out in both college basketball and the business world. Once known as one of the best young recruiters in NCAA basketball, he quickly rose through the ranks before his coaching career took a sudden turn at the University of California, Berkeley (Cal). Today, he’s better known as the founder and CEO of a popular drink brand, Lemon Perfect.
This article takes a detailed look at Yanni Hufnagel’s journey, especially focusing on his time at Cal, the controversy that ended his coaching career, and how he reinvented himself as a successful entrepreneur.
Yanni Hufnagel Bio Table
| Full Name | Yanni Hufnagel |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 26, 1982 |
| Birthplace | New York City, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Cornell University (B.S.), University of Oklahoma (M.Ed.) |
| Profession | Former Basketball Coach, CEO of Lemon Perfect |
| Famous For | Recruiting NBA talent, Founding Lemon Perfect |
| Known Teams | Harvard, Vanderbilt, Cal (UC Berkeley) |
| Current Role | Founder & CEO, Lemon Perfect |
Early Career: From Rejection to Coaching Dreams
Yanni Hufnagel grew up in Scarsdale, New York. Although he loved basketball, he was cut from his high school team. That didn’t stop him. He joined the team’s broadcasting crew and stayed close to the game.
He started college at Penn State but transferred to Cornell University. There, he worked as a student manager for the basketball team. After graduating, he took a graduate assistant position at the University of Oklahoma, where he helped develop future NBA star Blake Griffin.
Rising Star in College Basketball
After Oklahoma, Hufnagel moved to Harvard in 2009. His energy and talent for recruiting helped the program grow quickly. He played a big role in bringing in players who would go on to win Harvard’s first NCAA tournament game in 2013.
He then spent one year at Vanderbilt, where he helped recruit top talent again. His skills didn’t go unnoticed. In 2014, he was hired by Cal to join their coaching staff.
Coaching at Cal: Big Recruits and Bigger Hopes
Yanni Hufnagel joined the University of California, Berkeley in 2014 as an assistant coach under head coach Cuonzo Martin. At Cal, his main role was recruiting – and he was very good at it.
He helped bring in Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb, two of the top high school players in the country. Jaylen Brown would later become a star in the NBA, playing for the Boston Celtics. Thanks to Hufnagel’s recruiting, Cal had one of its best basketball rosters in years.
The 2016 Controversy and Harassment Allegation
In March 2016, Hufnagel’s coaching career faced a serious problem. A female reporter who was covering the team accused him of sexual harassment. She said he sent inappropriate text messages and tried to get her to visit his apartment. The university launched an investigation.
After looking into the case, UC Berkeley found that Hufnagel had violated the school’s sexual harassment policy. He was fired from his coaching position shortly after. Hufnagel denied the claims and said the messages were just flirtatious, not harassment. Still, the university stood by its decision.
Life After Cal: From Court to Bottles
After his time at Cal ended, Hufnagel briefly joined the University of Nevada’s coaching staff but did not stay long. Soon after, he left basketball behind and turned to business.
In 2017, he launched a new brand of flavored water called Lemon Perfect. The idea came to him after he read about the health benefits of drinking lemon water. His drink is organic, has no sugar, and is full of flavor. It quickly gained attention.
Lemon Perfect became one of the fastest-growing brands in the health drink market. In 2022, music superstar Beyoncé even invested in the company, showing just how far Hufnagel had come.
How People See Him Now
Yanni Hufnagel is still remembered by many in the sports world for his talent as a recruiter. But his exit from coaching left a mark on his reputation. While some people admire how he built a successful company from scratch, others remember the controversy that ended his basketball career.
What can’t be denied is that Hufnagel made a big name for himself in two very different worlds – sports and business.
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Conclusion
Yanni Hufnagel’s story is a mix of talent, success, and controversy. At Cal, he helped shape one of the best basketball teams in years. But his career in coaching came to an early end due to a serious complaint that led to his firing.
Instead of disappearing, he turned his energy toward starting a company – and succeeded again. From recruiting NBA stars to building a top-selling beverage brand, Hufnagel’s journey shows both the risks and rewards of public life.
FAQs
Who is Yanni Hufnagel?
He is a former college basketball coach and now a successful entrepreneur, known for founding Lemon Perfect.
What happened to Yanni Hufnagel at Cal?
He was fired in 2016 after UC Berkeley found he violated the school’s sexual harassment policy.
Did Yanni Hufnagel recruit Jaylen Brown?
Yes, he was a key recruiter who helped bring Jaylen Brown to Cal.
What is Lemon Perfect?
It’s a flavored water brand founded by Hufnagel in 2017. It’s organic, sugar-free, and backed by Beyoncé.
Is Yanni Hufnagel still coaching?
No, he left coaching after 2016 and is now focused on his business career.