Bryant University head men’s basketball coach Jared Grasso has added Phil Martelli, Jr. to his staff as an assistant coach.
“Phil is someone who I have known for a long time and I’ve always hoped for the opportunity to work with him,” said Grasso. “His passion, work ethic and basketball IQ will be great assets to our program.”
Martelli arrives in Smithfield after spending last season at his alma mater, Saint Joseph’s, as the Hawks’ director of program administration. His stint in Philadelphia follows a year in the NBA G-League with the Delaware 87ers (now Delaware Blue Coats) and 13 seasons as a Division I assistant coach.
“My family and I are thrilled to be joining the Bryant community,” said Martelli. “I am eager to begin working with this high-level staff at such a wonderful institution.”
Prior to his year with the G-League affiliate in Delaware, Martelli spent five seasons on the staff at the University of Delaware, where he helped the Blue Hens to an NCAA tournament appearance in 2014. The Blue Hens set a program-best mark for conference wins over a five-year stretch (55) and placed eight players on CAA all-conference teams, along with two all-rookie, two all-defensive and four all-academic team honorees. Seven Blue Hens saw time professionally from the teams Martelli coached at Delaware.
From 2006 to 2011, Martelli was an assistant coach at Niagara, helping the Purple Eagles to a 95-69 record in his five years, including the 2007 MAAC Tournament title and a victory in the NCAA Tournament.
He also served in the same position at Manhattan in 2005-06, while beginning his career in 2003 at Central Connecticut as the youngest (22) full-time assistant coach in Division I at that time.
A 2003 alum of Saint Joseph’s, Martelli was a four-year player for the Hawks and a member of the teams that made NCAA Tournament appearances in 2001 and 2003. A team co-captain in 2002-03 with Jameer Nelson, he received his bachelor’s degree from SJU in marketing.
http://www.bryantbulldogs.com/sports/mbkb/2017-18/releases/20180423siz978
