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LSU basketball just added a major coaching piece. Damon Stoudamire, the former NBA Rookie of the Year, officially joined Will Wade‘s staff yesterday. The Arizona legend and 13-year NBA veteran will influence one of the strongest coaching staffs in college basketball for the 2026-27 season.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Announcement Date: April 13, 2026, just as LSU ramps up offseason recruiting
- Stoudamire Background: NBA veteran with 1,849 college points and 13-year pro career
- Recent Role: Head coach at Georgia Tech (2023-26) before joining LSU
- Wade’s Staff: Now includes three former Division I head coaches for 2026-27
Who is Damon Stoudamire?
Stoudamire, nicknamed “Mighty Mouse,” played at the University of Arizona from 1991 to 1995. He was a consensus All-American First Team selection in 1994 and later named Pac-10 Player of the Year in 1995. During his college years, Arizona won two Pac-10 championships and reached the 1994 NCAA Final Four.
The 7th overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft, Stoudamire became the 1996 NBA Rookie of the Year. He averaged 13.4 points and 6.1 assists across 13 NBA seasons. He played for the Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzles, and San Antonio Spurs.
Damon Stoudamire joins LSU basketball staff under Coach Will Wade
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From NBA Star to Coaching Success
Stoudamire transitioned to coaching after his playing days ended in 2008. He held assistant positions at Rice, Arizona, and Memphis, plus two years with the Boston Celtics. His head coaching debut came at Pacific University (2016-2021), where he earned the 2020 Ben Jobe Award for top minority coach at the Division I level.
At Georgia Tech, Stoudamire coached for three seasons starting in 2023. The program made an NIT postseason appearance in 2025, but Georgia Tech fired him on March 8, 2026, after an 11-20 regular season record. Now, LSU and Will Wade will benefit from his NBA experience and college basketball knowledge.
Building an Elite Coaching Staff
Coach Wade announced the hire on April 13, stating, “His NBA success and his years of college basketball coaching experience brings a perspective to our coaching staff that will be very useful as we move forward.” Stoudamire becomes the third former Division I head coach to join Wade’s staff for next season.
| Coach | Previous Role | Years as Head Coach |
| Damon Stoudamire | Georgia Tech Head Coach | 2023-2026 |
| Rick Stansbury | Mississippi State Head Coach | Multiple Seasons |
| Johnny Jones | Former LSU Head Coach | Returned April 10 |
Rick Stansbury was officially signed on April 7, while Johnny Jones announced his return to November on April 10. Both are SEC veterans. Stoudamire’s NBA pedigree completes a coaching staff that now blends elite recruiting experience, conference expertise, and professional basketball knowledge.
“We are happy to welcome Damon Stoudamire to the LSU Basketball family. His NBA success and his years of college basketball coaching experience brings a perspective to our coaching staff that will be very useful as we move forward.”
Will Wade, LSU Head Coach
What This Means for LSU Basketball
Stoudamire’s addition strengthens Wade’s ability to develop guards and teach NBA-level fundamentals. His 13-year NBA experience and point guard background are valuable for preparing players for the professional level. LSU now has coaching staff depth rarely seen in college hoops.
Will Wade officially took over as LSU head coach in March 2026 after previous stints at McNeese State and elsewhere. With Stoudamire, Stansbury, and Jones in place, the Tigers have assembled a veteran-laden coaching staff positioned to compete for SEC championships and better develop talent for the NBA. The 2026-27 season will reveal whether this elite coaching combination translates to on-court success.
Sources
- LSU Sports – Official announcement of Damon Stoudamire joining LSU coaching staff
- Yahoo Sports – Coverage of Will Wade’s elite assistant coach hire and staff details
- Arizona Desert Swarm – Arizona legend Stoudamire hired as assistant at LSU under Will Wade
