Former NBA standout officially introduced as Georgia Tech’s men’s basketball coach

Georgia Tech officially welcomed its new men’s head basketball coach, Damon Stoudamire.

The university held an introductory press conference in the Edge Center museum lobby on Tuesday morning.

Channel 2 Action News was there as Stoudamire expressed his gratitude for being at Georgia Tech.

“This has just been a long journey for me. I am excited beyond relief to be here today,” said the 49-year-old, 13-season former NBA standout. “To be able to be in a great city, have a great fanbase, umm, I couldn’t ask for more.”

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Stoudamire was an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics for the past two seasons. Prior to the Celtics, Stoudamire, a native of Portland, Oregon, was the head coach at the University of the Pacific from 2016 through 2021.

Stoudamire’s successful 13-season NBA career started after being drafted by the Toronto Raptors as the seventh pick in the 1995 NBA Draft. That season he was voted NBA Rookie of the Year.

His playing career ended in 2008 after a short stint with the San Antonio Spurs.

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“We are thrilled that Damon Stoudamire will be the head coach of our storied men’s basketball program,” Georgia Tech director of athletics J Batt said. “Coach Stoudamire’s success and credibility as a player and coach at both the collegiate and professional levels make him a great fit to lead our program. He will serve as an outstanding mentor on and off the court and will attract talented student-athletes to The Flats. We could not be happier to welcome Coach Stoudamire to the Georgia Tech family.”

Stoudamire replaces Josh Pastner who Georgia Tech fired last week. Pastner finished his time in Atlanta with a 109-114 overall record and 51-78 conference record.

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