THE FLATS – Former Georgia Tech player B.J. Elder, a standout member of the Yellow Jackets’ 2004 NCAA runner-up team, has joined the men’s basketball staff as associate director of player personnel, head coach Josh Pastner announced.
A veteran of 10 years in European professional basketball following his stellar Tech career, Elder, 36, joins the staff following three seasons as assistant boys’ basketball coach at Clarkston High School. He will serve as the basketball staff’s liaison with academic services, campus housing and dining, media and marketing, as well as spearhead outreach to former Tech players. He replaces Mario West, who left the program after three seasons to pursue coaching opportunities.
“We are excited to have B.J. Elder rejoin the Georgia Tech program,” said Pastner, entering his fourth season at the helm of the Yellow Jackets. “I have always said this program is about all the former players that have elevated it to a high level. B.J. is a guy that fits that bill, and he will do an outstanding job here.”
One of the most prolific 3-point shooters in school history, the 6-foot-4 Elder made his mark on the 2004 Georgia Tech team that reached the NCAA Championship game. He was named a Wooden Award finalist that season, in which he placed seventh among ACC scorers at 14.9 points per game and shot 78 percent from the foul line. Elder was an honorable mention All-America selection by the Associated Press that season, and was also named All-District 4 by the USBWA, All-District 5 by the NABC and was one of the final 20 candidates for the Wooden Award All-America team.