Pondexter says he wasn’t granted interview for open Fresno State job
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San Joaquin Memorial basketball alum and former NBA player Quincy Pondexter has heard his name mentioned in connection with the open head coaching position at Fresno State over the last couple weeks, but on Sunday, the Fresno native issued a statement to Sports Central saying he was not granted an interview.
Through his agent, Debbie Spander, of Insight Sports Advisors, Quincy issued the following statement, in response to text questions about his interest in the Bulldogs’ open job, and whether he had interviewed for the position, or anticipated interviewing for the position.
“I love Fresno and Fresno State, and I would love the opportunity to make my case to be the Bulldogs’ next head coach,” the statement read. “But unfortunately, I was not granted an interview, due to the fact there is a minimum requirement of 5 years NCAA coaching experience (I currently have three years). I wish Fresno State basketball great success in the future.”
Pondexter has spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach for his college alma mater, the University of Washington.
He served under head coach Mike Hopkins at Washington.
The Huskies went 50-46 over the last three seasons while Pondexter was there on the bench.
The school announced before the Pac-12 Tournament that Hopkins would not return as head coach after their season ended.
According to the University of Washington’s athletic website, while starring in the NBA, Pondexter started his coaching path with the AAU teams California United in 2015 and Las Vegas Elite, developing youth basketball players, and helping them prepare for collegiate ball.
He has run an annual basketball camp in Fresno in recent years, has been a regular fixture at sporting events in the Fresno area, and has even said he hoped to one day become the mayor of Fresno.
According to the job posting for the open men’s basketball head coaching position at Fresno State, under Education and Experience, it says a “Minimum of five (5) years experience coaching Men’s Basketball at the NCAA or professional level.”
After a highly successful college career at Washington, Pondexter was selected as the No. 26 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft by Oklahoma City and was traded to the New Orleans Hornets.
He went on to play for five teams spanning eight seasons in the league.
