Evansville men's basketball assistant, whose jersey hangs from rafters, leaves staff
EVANSVILLE — Coach David Ragland has an assistant coaching position to fill.
The University of Evansville men's basketball program announced Monday that assistant coach Marcus Wilson has left to pursue other career opportunities. Wilson was the second assistant Ragland hired along with fellow former Purple Aces player and teammate Craig Snow.
“I want to personally thank Marcus for returning to the University of Evansville and working on our staff as we set the foundation for our program,” Ragland said in a news release. “Marcus and I have a relationship that dates back over 20 years and that friendship will never change. He has a passion for the University of Evansville and helped our student-athletes realize what it means to be a Purple Aces.”
“Marcus’ true passion in life is to help people and I know that he will continue to do so in the future.”
When Wilson was hired: Marcus Wilson joins University of Evansville men's basketball coaching staff
Wilson was a distinguished player for UE over the course of his four-year stay at Roberts Stadium. His No. 5 is retired and hangs in the Ford Center rafters. He was named Missouri Valley Conference Larry Bird Player of the Year in 1999 after leading the Aces to the regular season title and the league championship game. UE's at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament that season is its most recent appearance on men's college basketball's biggest stage.
He was named to the MVC All-Centennial Team in 2007 and the UE Hall of Fame in 2008.
Wilson notably scored 34 points in the first-round loss to Kansas. He averaged 17.3 points over the course of his Aces career and played professionally overseas for 11 years.
His adopted son, five-star 2024 prospect John Bol, recently announced his final eight options for his post-high school career: Wake Forest, Florida, Missouri, Michigan, Texas, Connecticut, Southern California and Overtime Elite. Bol was offered by UE during an unofficial visit last summer.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville basketball: Marcus Wilson leaves David Ragland's staff
