Calhoun Times

Stoudamire coach at Georgia Tech

- Field Level Media

Georgia Tech hired Boston Celtics assistant Damon Stoudamire as its next men’s head basketball coach on Monday.

Stoudamire, 49, was in his second season with Boston after serving as the head coach at Pacific for five seasons, with a 71-77 record from 2016-21.

“It is an incredible honor to be entrusted with leading such a tradition-rich program,” Stoudamire said in a news release. “I am excited to get to work with the goal of consistent­ly having our team compete at the championsh­ip level that we all know we can and should compete at. I’m proud to represent Georgia Tech and can’t wait to walk out of the tunnel and onto the floor at the Thrillerdo­me in front of our fans.”

A point guard and who played 13 seasons in the NBA, Stoudamire replaces Josh Pastner at the ACC program. Pastner was fired Friday after seven seasons and a 109114 record, including 15-18 this season.

“Coach Stoudamire’s success and credibilit­y as a player and coach at both the collegiate and profession­al levels make him a great fit to lead our program,” Georgia Tech athletic director J Batt said in a news release. “He will serve as an outstandin­g mentor on and off the court and will attract talented student-athletes to The Flats. We could not be happier to welcome Coach Stoudamire to the Georgia Tech family.”

Stoudamire has also worked as an assistant coach at Memphis (2011-13, 201516), his alma mater Arizona (2013-15) and with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies (2009-11).

Drafted No. 7 overall by Toronto in 1995, Stoudamire was the Rookie of the Year in 1995-96 and averaged 13.4 points, 6.1 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 878 games (793 starts) with the Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers, Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs.

Anthony Wilkins had been named interim coach at Georgia Tech after the Yellow Jackets fired Pastner.

 ?? Blake silvers ?? Members of the Kennesaw State Owls basketball team cheer as they see their team’s name come across the big scree during Sunday’s NCAA bracket watch party at the Convocatio­n Center.
Blake silvers Members of the Kennesaw State Owls basketball team cheer as they see their team’s name come across the big scree during Sunday’s NCAA bracket watch party at the Convocatio­n Center.

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