Georgia Southwestern State University head men’s basketball coach Ben Hicks has announced the hiring of Jalen Butler as his assistant coach for the 2017-18 season. Butler comes to GSW from Armstrong State University where he recently completed his second season as a graduate assistant coach for the Pirates.
“I’m very excited that Coach Butler has joined the staff here at Georgia Southwestern,” Hicks said. “He has built dynamic relationships with coaches in Georgia and is very familiar with the Peach Belt Conference. Coach Butler also has several years of advising, recruiting and scouting experience, which will be great for our program.”
In his two seasons at Armstrong, Butler coached All-Peach Belt players Shaquiell Mitchell and Corey Tillery while helping the Pirates reach the PBC Tournament in 2015-16.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to join the Hurricane family,” Butler said. “I’m dedicated to the vision and mission Coach Hicks set forth for the program. I’m very familiar with the Peach Belt Conference and look forward to being an asset to the department and the program.”
Butler played collegiately for three seasons at LaGrange College, three times earning USA South Academic All-Conference honors while twice helping the team win the USA South Tournament, earning trips to the NCAA Championships in 2014 and 2015. He was named to the USA South All-Sportsmanship Team in 2015, while also earning the Al Mariotti Leadership Award in 2015 and the Glen Simpson Academic Award in 2013.
He played his freshman year at Reinhardt College and during his high school career at Curtis Baptist in Augusta, earned three-time All-Region honors as well as Georgia Independent School Association All-Star and All-State honors as a senior.
Butler has extensive camp experience, working camps at Florida State University, the College of Charleston, Armstrong, LaGrange, Point Guard College, Nike Elite Hoops and HoopSeen.
He graduated from LaGrange in 2015 with a double major in political science and exercise science and in May with his master’s degree in communication and leadership from Armstrong.
http://www.gswcanes.com/sports/mbkb/2017-18/releases/20170727kncgt4
