I mentioned this in the DAILY DIRT yesterday – it’s now been made official. Here’s the statement from Rice on the hiring of Nelson Terroba:

Rice Men’s Basketball Coach Rob Lanier has named Nelson Terroba as Assistant Coach, announced Thursday afternoon.

Terroba comes to South Main after spending last season as Head Coach of the Calgary Surge of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). In their inaugural season, Terroba led the team to a 12-8 record, a first-place finish in the 2023 CEBL Western Conference, and a 2023 CEBL Championship Final appearance.

Prior to his time in Calgary, he served on the coaching staff of the Texas Legends, the NBA G-League affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks, first as Assistant Coach and Defensive Coordinator and then as Associate Head Coach. While with the Legends, he helped them to the 2021-22 playoffs, serving as Interim Head Coach and leading them to the first playoff win in team history against the Birmingham Squadron. During his time, five players signed NBA contracts, including Cameron Payne, who signed with the Phoenix Suns in 2020-21 and played in the NBA Finals the following year.

Terroba served as Head Coach and General Manager of the Saint John’s Riptide of National Basketball League Canada from 2017-19. While there, he qualified for the playoffs both years. His defense finished in the top two in points allowed both years, including leading the league in 2018-19.

He also served as Assistant Coach and Video Coordinator for the NBL Canada’s Erie Bayhawks for the 2016-17. That led to him being chosen as Head Coach for the NBL’s summer tour through China in 2017, where he led a group of American players to a 9-0 record against NBL and CBA teams across China.

Terroba earned his bachelor’s degree in Education from Texas in 2000 and his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Lamar in 2012.