Lucas Hunter named grad assistant coach at East Central University
07/05/2017 | 12:19:00 | Men's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Former Southern Illinois student manager Lucas Hunter has joined the men's basketball staff at East Central University as a graduate assistant for the 2017-18 season. A native of Carterville, he served as SIU's lead manager the past two seasons.
In his first season at Southern, the team finished 22-10 and in fourth place in the final MVC standings. In year two, Hunter helped the Salukis to a third-place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference. Prior to his work at
SIU, Hunter served as a student manager under head coach Anthony Grant at the University of Alabama of the Southeastern Conference.
"East Central and Coach Ja Havens hit a home run in hiring Lucas Hunter," said Saluki head coach Barry Hinson. "I have been in this business a long time and Lucas is one of the most tireless workers I have had the pleasure of being associated with. Lucas was invaluable as a part of our basketball family. He has a very bright future as a collegiate coach."
Hunter's duties with SIU included assisting with scouting reports, evaluating recruiting prospects, helping with on campus visits, working on film breakdown, and coordinating team travel and meals. He graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in civil and environmental engineering and will pursue a master's in education with a concentration in sports administration from ECU.
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I had to learn under some outstanding leadership at SIU," Hunter said. "Getting to be around the program on a daily basis was invaluable to me as I move forward in my coaching career. SIU basketball is truly a family environment and I have nothing but appreciation for Coach Hinson, the staff and players for welcoming me."
In his first season at Southern, the team finished 22-10 and in fourth place in the final MVC standings. In year two, Hunter helped the Salukis to a third-place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference. Prior to his work at
SIU, Hunter served as a student manager under head coach Anthony Grant at the University of Alabama of the Southeastern Conference.
"East Central and Coach Ja Havens hit a home run in hiring Lucas Hunter," said Saluki head coach Barry Hinson. "I have been in this business a long time and Lucas is one of the most tireless workers I have had the pleasure of being associated with. Lucas was invaluable as a part of our basketball family. He has a very bright future as a collegiate coach."
Hunter's duties with SIU included assisting with scouting reports, evaluating recruiting prospects, helping with on campus visits, working on film breakdown, and coordinating team travel and meals. He graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in civil and environmental engineering and will pursue a master's in education with a concentration in sports administration from ECU.
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I had to learn under some outstanding leadership at SIU," Hunter said. "Getting to be around the program on a daily basis was invaluable to me as I move forward in my coaching career. SIU basketball is truly a family environment and I have nothing but appreciation for Coach Hinson, the staff and players for welcoming me."
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