UMass Lowell Men’s Basketball Head Coach Pat Duquette has announced the hiring of Matt Graves as his newest assistant coach. Graves comes to UMass Lowell after most recently serving as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Clark University.
“We are excited to welcome Matt to our program and are looking forward to him working with our players,” said Duquette. “He brings extensive experience as both a player and coach. I know he will have a huge impact on our players’ development both on and off the court.”
During his lone season at Clark in 2021-22, Graves was responsible for recruiting, scheduling, scouting, development and on-floor coaching, working specifically with the team’s forwards and wings. He helped coach the program to a 10-win improvement from the previous year. Clark also went on to host a quarterfinal game in the NEWMAC Postseason Tournament for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
“I am grateful to Coach Duquette for giving me the opportunity to be an assistant coach for the UMass Lowell men’s basketball program,” commented Graves. “I am very excited to get on the court and continue to help our guys improve, while also being able to recruit young men for our growing community. Time to get to work. Go River Hawks!”
Prior to Clark, Graves spent two years at Mount St. Mary’s as an assistant coach and the director of basketball operations. While there, he helped the team win a Northeast Conference title and earn a birth into the NCAA Tournament. The Mount led the NEC and ranked 14th in the nation in scoring defense during that time. Nana Opoku became the third Mountaineer to win NEC Defensive Player of the Year honors, as well.
He also spent time as an assistant coach at Belmont Abbey College from 2013-19 and began coaching at McDaniel College in 2013. His career at Belmont Abbey culminated in a 23-8 season in 2018-19 that included the team’s second consecutive conference tournament championship appearance.
A 2012 graduate of Belmont Abbey, Graves was a member of the basketball team for four years. He was active in the athletic department there, serving as SAAC Vice President. After graduation, he was awarded the prestigious Victory Scholarship from Sport Changes Life. The Victory Scholarship Program assists deserving students from the USA in obtaining a scholarship package to study at a master’s level throughout Ireland. While in Ireland, he also served as head coach for the Ulster Elks Premier League men’s basketball team in Northern Ireland. He was the captain of the Ulster Elks National League Basketball Team and was an E-Hoops Counselor with Sport Changes Life.
Graves earned his master’s in business studies from the University of Ulster in 2013 and his bachelor’s in business management from Belmont Abbey College in 2012.
Duquette Welcomes Matt Graves to River Hawk Staff
