Inoke Waqavesi, a 2018 Sac High graduate, translated the discipline he learned in high school into a promising career with the Sacramento Kings. During his four years at Sac High, Inoke was a leader on the field, playing football all four years and finishing his high school career on the varsity squad. But it wasn’t just the sports that shaped him; it was the school’s high expectations.

“Anything lower than a C was no credit,” Inoke recalls, noting that the “better than average” standard at Sac High applied to both the classroom and the football field.

He credits standout teachers like Mr. Wilkinson, who pushed him in AP English, and the school’s AP curriculum for giving him a jumpstart on college academics and expectations. For Inoke, the school’s uniform policy was a hidden blessing, allowing students to bypass the distractions of appearance and focus entirely on their growth as scholars and athletes.

Inoke’s athletic talent extended beyond the football program at Sac High. While playing club rugby outside of school, he opened doors that led him to compete internationally. In 2018, he had the incredible opportunity to perform in the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, an experience captured in a docuseries on the Olympic Channel.

These athletic achievements paved the way to St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA, where he continued to excel. After earning his BA in 2023 and a Master’s in Sports Management in 2025, Inoke briefly pursued professional rugby with Major League Rugby in San Diego before returning home to Sacramento.

Today, Inoke has taken a role with the Sacramento Kings, working as an Account Executive in sales services and memberships. He secured this job out of a pool of over 900 applicants. He attributes his success in this high-stakes environment to the foundation laid during his time as a Sac High Dragon.

When asked what advice he would give to current Sac High scholars, Inoke emphasizes the importance of the “now.” “Enjoy the moment. Be the best version of you, and the rest will fall into place.”​

Inoke has gone from the Olympic Games to the Golden 1 Center and continues to make the St. HOPE community proud!