Penn State basketball adds new assistant coach with strong Michigan ties
TL;DR
Penn State basketball has hired Dwayne 'DJ' Stephens as an assistant coach, known for his strong recruiting background at Michigan State and Western Michigan. He has a history of recruiting NBA talent, including Draymond Green and Dwyane Wade.
Key points
- Dwayne 'DJ' Stephens joins Penn State basketball as an assistant coach
- He has a strong recruiting history, including NBA talents
- Previously coached at Western Michigan and Michigan State
Mentioned in this story
While Penn State men's basketball has surely hit the ground running on the recruiting trail, they also just recently made a very integral addition to their coaching staff as well. Highly renowned assistant coach Dwayne "DJ" Stephens will be joining the Penn State staff this year with one of the best resumes Penn State could have hoped for. Not only has he been an elite coach for Western Michigan over the past four years, but in his previous years, he has recruited some of the NBA's most high profile names of today.
Before Stephens headed to Western Michigan to make his own history, he was Michigan State through and through, having graduated from the school in 1993. As a four-year letterman, he excelled on the court, winning the Big Ten championship his freshman season. However, it was his time as an assistant coach of the squad under Tom Izzo where he truly shined. During his tenure with the Spartans, he was responsible for recruiting such names as Draymond Green, Jaren Jackson Jr., Miles Bridges, and Xavier Tillman. Both Green and Jackson had much success in their collegiate careers and now headline the NBA stat sheets.
Even before his time as a coach at Michigan State, his recruiting prowess was displayed for the Marquette Golden Eagles, where he found a certain Dwyane Wade, who famously led the school to the Final Four in 2003. After his assistant coaching career, Stephens found a home as head coach in the MAC, this time for the Western Michigan Broncos. This time, built around grit and toughness, Stephens' squad made their own history, making back to back MAC tournament appearances for the first time in over a decade. He also ensured academic success within his squad, as they received many accolades for their work off the court.
Now, he will help lead a new look squad under Mike Rhoades filled with international talent. While there may not be a Dwyane Wade or a Draymond Green yet on Penn State's roster, it will be up to Stephens to ensure that in the future, players of that magnitude will want to come play in Happy Valley.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State basketball adds coach DJ Stephens
Q&A
Who is Dwayne 'DJ' Stephens and what is his coaching background?
Dwayne 'DJ' Stephens is a newly appointed assistant coach for Penn State basketball, previously coaching at Western Michigan and having a notable tenure at Michigan State.
What impact did Dwayne Stephens have on recruiting at Michigan State?
During his time at Michigan State, Stephens was instrumental in recruiting NBA stars like Draymond Green and Jaren Jackson Jr., contributing to the team's success.
What achievements did Dwayne Stephens accomplish at Western Michigan?
At Western Michigan, Stephens led the team to back-to-back MAC tournament appearances and emphasized academic success among his players.
