Yesterday, New York City hoops legend and former NBA player Rod Strickland was named the new head coach of the Long Island University Sharks.
He was hired after the Brooklyn-based university, which plays in the NEC (Northeast Conference), fired Derek Kellogg, the Sharks’ head coach for the last five seasons.
“Rod Strickland has a demonstrated eye for recruiting and developing student-athletes and we are confident he will elevate Long Island University’s winning tradition to even greater heights,” Long Island University President Kimberly R. Cline said in a statement.
Strickland has previous coaching experience and skills as a talent evaluator.
He joined John Calipari’s staff at both Memphis (2006-2008) and at Kentucky (2009-2014). Over those eight seasons, he went to the Tournament seven times, was a National Runner-Up at Memphis (2008) and won a National Championship at Kentucky in 2012.
He then moved to the University of South Florida and became an assistant coach under head coach Orlando Antigua (2014-2017) before heading to the NBA G League Ignite in 2018. There he worked with premier young talent, including the Rockets’ Jalen Green.
“Rod has done a tremendous job as program director for NBA G League Ignite, from leading our recruiting efforts to aiding in the development of our young players, including six NBA Draft picks in the last two seasons,” said Shareef Abdur-Rahim, President of the NBA G League. “We wish him the best with Long Island University. LIU is getting an amazing person and great basketball man.”
Now Strickland heads back to the sidelines, taking over a team that finished third in the NEC last season.
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