About David

Whether on the basketball court, in the courthouse or simply on a neighborhood street, David is a passionate advocate for clients, adolescents, and the game of basketball.  As a practicing attorney and an experienced coach, David has developed the interpersonal skills that inspire confidence and make those around him feel comfortable, engaged and at ease.  This translates to the basketball court where he is a powerful influence, as well as off the court, where he has helped many players and their parents navigate the college recruiting process.

Managing this process can be a highly emotional endeavor, which alone is enough to lead families to seek expert guidance.  Add to that the challenge of an extremely competitive landscape, an intricate and ever changing set of NCAA rules and regulations, and the uncertainty of how to best gain interest and exposure.  When this task is managed properly, new doors can be opened, opportunities can be created, and a player’s chances of playing college ball increase.  If not managed properly, even the best players and most knowledgeable of parents may be left on the outside looking in.

Having coached and trained players at the high school and college level, David has developed productive relationships with coaching staffs at numerous colleges and universities.  For several years, he has helped to manage all aspects of the college recruiting process for some of the area’s top girl’s talent, including his own daughter, who is playing at Brown University.  David truly understands the Inside Game and how to maximize opportunities for high school players to play college ball.  By working with families to find the right academic, financial and basketball balance, he helps pave a smooth road toward fulfilling a player’s dreams of playing college basketball at the school which is best suited for her.

David oversees the direction of Doner Elite Basketball, a basketball skills development company that regularly teaches and trains a number of the area’s finest High School players who go on to play in college. From 2002 up to the present, David has coached over 700 AAU girls games for the Bay State Jaguars Basketball Club, and his teams have been extremely successful on a State, Regional, and National level.  Under his leadership as President of the organization from 2004-2010, the Jaguars grew to 23 Boys and Girls teams and are now recognized and respected as one of the premier AAU Clubs in New England.

David is NCAA certified and is currently entering his fifth season as an Assistant Varsity Girls Coach at Newton South High School.  He graduated from Tufts University in 1978 with a B.A. and received his law degree from Boston College in 1982.  A principal at the law firm of Gillis and Bikofsky, P.C., he recently received peer recognition awards for meeting ethical standards and achievement in his field by being named as a “Top Attorney in Massachusetts” in the November 2011 issue of Boston Magazine and as a New England Super Lawyer by SuperLawyer.com.  He is married with two daughters and currently resides in Newton, MA.

Coaching Experience & Accomplishments  

Bay State Jaguars AAU Basketball Club President 2004-2010

  • Oversee and operate non-profit AAU Basketball Club with over 20 teams and approximately 250 boys and girls participating.

NCAA Certified

  • Spring 2007-Present

AAU COACHING HIGHLIGHTS- BAY STATE JAGUARS:

  • 2004, 10U (D1) Massachusetts State Champions, 12U (D1) Massachusetts State Tournament – Bronze Medal
  • 2005, 11U (D1) State Tournament Silver Medal, 13U (D1) Massachusetts State Tournament – Silver Medal
  • 2007, 13U (D1) State Tournament Bronze Medal, 15U
  • 2008, 14U Elite (D1) Massachusetts State Champions, 3rd Place United States Junior Nationals, 16U
  • 2009, 15U Elite (D1) Massachusetts State Champions, 13U (D1) Massachusetts State Tournament – Silver Medal
  • 2010, (16U Elite), Boo Williams Nike Girls Invitational Final Four;  (D1) 16U Massachusetts State Champions;  AAU Division 1 National Championships Classic Bracket Finalist;  Division Champions Nike/United States Junior Nationals 17U National Championships (120 team pool)
  • 2010, (14U Elite), United States Junior Nationals14U Final Four
  • 2011, (15U Elite), Boo Williams Nike Girls Invitational Atlantic Division Finalist;  (D1) 15U Massachusetts State Champions;  Champion of GymRat Challenge 15U Division; ESPN Disney National Invitational 15U Super Showcase Finalist; Nike/United States Junior Nationals 15U National Championships – Final Four (60 team pool)

Newton South High School:

  • Assistant Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach (2006-2008, 2009- present)

Doner Elite Basketball