Smart hires Wade from Amaker’s bench at Harvard

VCU’s new men’s basketball head coach Shaka Smart announced his first coaching hire of his tenure on West Broad Street. Will Wade has agreed to join Smart’s staff, after serving as an assistant coach at Harvard for the past two seasons, where he served as the recruiting coordinator for the Crimson’s head coach Tommy Amaker. His […]

April 9, 2009; 2:53 PM • by FTRea

VCU’s new men’s basketball head coach Shaka Smart announced his first coaching hire of his tenure on West Broad Street. Will Wade has agreed to join Smart’s staff, after serving as an assistant coach at Harvard for the past two seasons, where he served as the recruiting coordinator for the Crimson’s head coach Tommy Amaker.

His recruiting skills have been recognized on the national stage with his first class at Harvard being recognized as one of the top-25 classes in the country by ESPN.com. That class included impressive additions in top-30 post-grad, 6-9 Andrew Van Nest and potential ESPN 150 player, 6-5 G/F Max Kenyi (Washington, D.C.). 

“I am very excited to be a part of Coach Smart’s staff at VCU,” Wade said. “VCU has a tremendous basketball tradition and I look forward to continuing that success while reaching for even greater heights.”

“No one in the country will out-work Will,” Smart said. “He will do whatever it takes to get the job done and help continue the great tradition that is VCU Basketball.”

Prior to spending two seasons at Harvard, he served as director of basketball operations at Clemson University in 2006-07 after being promoted from the Tigers’ graduate assistant coaching position, where he served during the 2005-06 campaign.

As the director of basketball operations under head coach Oliver Purnell, Wade coordinated the Tigers’ non-league scheduling and arranged all aspects of team travel. He managed the team’s budget as well as preparation of practice and game plans. He also served as the team’s academic liaison, overseeing a comprehensive study hall and tutoring schedule for team personnel. Under Wade’s watchful eyes, the 2006 Tigers achieved their highest fall grade point average in school history.

As a graduate assistant, Wade worked towards a masters degree in human resource development. Among his varied duties, Wade organized recruiting efforts, providing aid in opponent scouting, film work, and assisted with team travel. The Tigers had a top 30 recruiting class that saw the signing of three top 125 recruits during the 2005-06 season.

Wade received his undergraduate degree in secondary education with an emphasis in history and geography from Clemson University in May of 2005.

During his four years at Clemson, he served as a student assistant and head manager for the men’s basketball team. Wade’s responsibilities included assisting with team and individual player workouts and practice, as well as aiding in team and opponent scouting. He also filmed and edited conference games.

While assisting with official and unofficial recruiting visits, Wade helped maintain the recruiting database and create innovative recruiting mailouts. In a managerial role, he coordinated game day set-up of Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum and the locker rooms and distributed equipment to players.

The information above was provided by Scott Day at VCU

April 9, 2009 2:53 PM 0