Motlow State Community College announced that Arthur Latham has been selected to fill the position of men’s basketball head coach, according to Scott Shasteen, director of athletics. Latham has been an assistant coach at Motlow for the past two successful seasons, serving under former head coach J.T. Burton.
Latham was named the interim head coach after Burton resigned in early April. Last year, Latham also served as interim head coach in 2016 for Motlow’s women’s basketball program and guided the Lady Bucks to four straight wins to end the season.
“Arthur is a man of character who has a passion for the game of basketball and for helping young people achieve their dreams,” said Shasteen. “He has been a critical part of the most successful back-to-back seasons in school history, including this past season when the Bucks won 30 games and advanced to the final eight of the national tournament.
“With as many as 10 members of the greatest team in Motlow basketball history returning, leadership believes we have a chance to compete again for a national championship,” he continued. “Those players know and love Coach Latham, and they want to do their best for him on and off the court. Enthusiasm for the game and for Coach Latham’s role is palpable on campus.”
Latham is a native of Ratcliff, KY, and earned his bachelor’s degree (2010) and his master’s degree (2012) from St. Catharine College, where he played for four seasons from 2006-2010. He left St. Catharine as the all-time school record holder for wins (71), points (1,600) and rebounds (756).
He joined Burton’s coaching staff at St. Catharine in 2011 and helped lead the Patriots to multiple NAIA national tournament appearances. He remained at St. Catharine until June 2015, when he left to join Burton at Motlow.
“I am very grateful to my athletic director and President Tony Kinkel,” said Latham. “I’ve worked my entire career preparing for this opportunity. To be selected at this time, with these players, for this mission – it’s a powerful combination. This team is like an engine. It’s a powerhouse that drives Motlow pride to new levels. We have a great group of coaches at Motlow too, and I intend to draw from their collective experience every chance I get. We are a family here, and I’m proud to be able to continue as a member of our family.”
Among those players who have indicated they will return for their sophomore seasons at Motlow next year is Javion Hamlet, who was named second-team All-American and led the nation averaging 8.5 assists per game while leading the Bucks in scoring with 15.6 points per contest.
Other members of the 2016-17 Bucks who have another year of eligibility at Motlow are Rashawn Fredericks, who averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per game; Isaiah Hart, who averaged 13 points per game and set the school’s all-time record for steals in a single season; Aleksandar Zecevic, who averaged over nine points and six rebounds per game; and Kevonte Corley, who averaged over four points and seven rebounds per game. Hamlet, Fredericks, Hart, Zecevic and Corley were the five starters for the majority of Motlow’s 36 games.
Additional freshmen on the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association regular season and tournament champions were Jahod Lang, Ross Plunkett, Jalen Bell, Dillon Smith and Chad Emmons. Redshirts for the Bucks last season were Leonardo Castillo, Jr. and Kindravious Webster.
