Damon Stoudamire will leave his position as an assistant at Arizona to re-join the staff at Memphis. The former NBA and Arizona star was an assistant at Memphis from 2011 to 2013 before returning to his alma mater. Stoudamire confirmed the move on Twitter with the following Tweets:
I tell you the last 72 hrs have been tough, but let me take everyone into my mind for a moment!
Every since I was 7 yrs old I dedicated my life to being an NBA baller! Yes, I was selfish every step of the way. I had a great 13 year career in the NBA. When I retired, I started coaching and fell in love with it! I have ability lots of people struggle with and that’s dealing with kids! It’s always been that way!
As when I left Memphis, it was about an opportunity to come back to my alma mater and represent U of A the best I could! Strange thing is, I found out a lot who Damon Stoudamire actually was! I had changed. I wasn’t the same guy anymore! The question became: We’re as good as any team in the country, we have pros, I work for 1 of the best dudes and basketball minds in the country! Why do i feel empty?
I’m helping raise everybody else’s kids, but what about my 2 boys?! They need me, too. All my playing years I was selfish and it worked out for me but, now it’s not about me, it’s about my boys! I never really knew how I felt till I missed seeing them play in football and basketball games! I was finally their dad again. Not the guy on TV anymore. I’d finally built our relationship where it needed to be. This opportunity to still do what I love, coaching bball and helping kids, but being by my own was to good to pass up! In my eyes it’s the best of both worlds! Arizona basketball is in a great place with a great coach, passionate fans, great administration! I will always be AZ to the heart, but right now it’s just not about me. #beardown #AZ4life
