Boise State men’s basketball head coach Leon Rice announced Wednesday, the hiring of Chris Acker as an assistant coach. Acker spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Hawai’i. Acker rounds out the Broncos’ 2017-18 coaching staff.
“I am excited to have Chris and his family as a part of Bronco Basketball,” said Rice. “He’s an accomplished coach and brings a lot of enthusiasm and experience to our program.”
In Acker’s two seasons at Hawai’i he helped the Rainbow Warriors to the 2016 Big West title and a win in the NCAA Tournament. He oversaw the team’s defense and was the player development coordinator. His skill development highlights include helping Stefan Jankovic progress into the Big West Player of the Year and earn a free-agent contract with the Miami Heat.
Prior to Hawai’i, Acker was the head coach at West Los Angeles College for two seasons. He took over the program following a one-year suspension and led the team to immediate success on the court and in the classroom. Three student-athletes went on to four-year universities and five were honored with academic accolades. In Acker’s second season, the Wildcats finished 18-8 and advanced to the Sweet 16.
Acker spent six seasons at Citrus College in Glendora, Calif., serving as an assistant coach and the associate head coach during his tenure. He helped the Owls win the 2008 California state championship and four Western State Conference championships.
Defense has been Acker’s calling card at each stop. Hawai’i finished in the top three of virtually every defensive category in the Big West during his first season. At West LA, his teams finished in the top three of the state in scoring defense.
Originally from Compton, Calif., Acker played two years of community college basketball before finishing his playing career at Chaminade. After a productive two seasons, which included helping the Silver Swords to an upset of Villanova in the 2003 Maui Invitational, Acker went on to a four-year professional career in Greece, Portugal and the United States.
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