Aug. 2, 2017
Colorado Springs, Colo. – Georgia Tech head basketball coach Josh Pastner will join a long list of respected basketball figures from across the coaching and player development profession as presenters for the USA Basketball Las Vegas Coach Academy – presented by Nike, will take place on Aug. 18-20 at Chaparral High School in Las Vegas.
USA Basketball Coach Academies provide valuable insight and education to coaches and administrators of basketball. Academy sessions impart to coaches of all levels the USA Basketball curriculum for a proper skill development path to teach the game to players of all ages and ability levels. Additionally, guest speakers deliver on and off court sessions on basketball and leadership topics.
Georgia Tech played in its first National Invitation Tournament championship game in 46 years in 2017, capping an inaugural season under head coach Josh Pastner in which Tech won 21 games and compiled an 8-10 ACC record after being picked to finish 14th in the conference. Pastner was named ACC Coach of the Year, the third Tech basketball coach to receive that honor, and was named District 2 Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Center Ben Lammers was named second-team All-CCC and ACC Defensive Player of the Year, while freshman guard Josh Okogie was named to the ACC All-Freshman team and made USA Basketball’s U19 World Cup team.
The academy schedule includes on and off the court presentations, a USA Basketball memorabilia viewing, networking time and training for a USA Basketball 2017-18 coach license.
Pastner is one of two major conference head coaches invited to be presenters at this year’s academy, joining South Carolina head coach Frank Martin. Other presenters include Don Showalter, USA Basketball coach development director and an eight-time USA Basketball Developmental Coach of the Year award winner; Kate Achter, head women’s basketball coach at Loyola University Chicago; Jay Bilas, basketball analyst for ESPN; Dave Bollwinkel, scout for the NBA Chicago Bulls; Mike Jones, three-time, gold-medal winning USA Basketball coach and head boys basketball coach at DeMatha Catholic High School (Md.); Niko Medved, head men’s basketball coach at Drake University; Sue Phillips, two-time, gold-medal winning USA Basketball head coach and head girls basketball coach at Archbishop Mitty High School (Calif.) and for the San Jose Cagers; Scott Thompson, Legend Leadership Group; and Sharman White, gold-medal winning USA Basketball assistant coach and an assistant men’s basketball coach at Georgia State University.
ABOUT GEORGIA TECH MEN’S BASKETBALL
Georgia Tech’s men’s basketball team is in its second year under head coach Josh Pastner. Tech has been a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1979, won three ACC Championships (1985, 1990, 1993), played in the NCAA Tournament 16 times and played in two Final Fours (1990, 2004). Connect with Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball on social media by liking their Facebook Page, or following on Twitter (@GTMBB) and Instagram.
For more information on Tech basketball, visit Ramblinwreck.com. Tickets for men’s basketball can be purchased here.
