USC Aiken men’s basketball Head Coach Mark Vanderslice is pleased to announce the promotion of T.J. Knight to Associate Head Coach, effective immediately. 

“T.J. has been tremendous for our program,” Vanderslice stated. “We have won back-to-back Peach Belt Conference regular-season championships, and he has played a vital role in that success. “T.J. has been an integral part in helping us create and sustain a championship vision. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch his professional development, and he is more than deserving of the promotion.

“His drive and work ethic to develop those around him to be their best are just a few of the qualities I admire about him most. T.J. is a star in this business, and I want to thank him for all that he has done.”

Knight, in his fifth year with the program, coached PBC Player of the Year Tyler Johnson as well as fellow all-PBC selections Tehree Horn and Jalen McCoy the last two seasons. Student-athletes have been named all-PBC performers nine times since his arrival on campus. He has coached the school’s Division II career points leader as well as two more in the top 10.

During the 2021-22 season, Knight helped the Pacers become the lone PBC team to knock off nationally-ranked Flagler twice in the regular season. 

Knight also helped USCA reach the Sweet 16 during the 2022-23 campaign.

A native of Lexington, S.C., he graduated from Lander and was an all-academic team selection during his time with the program.