The Transylvania men’s basketball team has welcomed Mike Stone back to the program as its new assistant coach.
A former standout for the Pioneers from 2008 through 2012, Stone returns to Broadway and 4th in a coaching capacity after a multifaceted professional playing career and a coaching resume which has evolved in the Bluegrass following his playing days.
Stone comes to the Pioneers from Lexington Catholic High School where he has served as an assistant coach over the past six seasons.
“I am thrilled that Mike is returning to Transylvania as our full-time assistant basketball coach,” stated Head Basketball Coach Brian Lane. “He was one of the hardest workers in the history of our program when he was a Transylvania student-athlete and that has carried over into his coaching career. The training and personal instruction that he has done with high school, college and professional basketball players will be a huge asset to our players’ individual improvement and development. Mike’s professional playing experience both in the United States and overseas will be a huge plus for us as we continue to broaden our recruiting reach.”
“I am looking forward to joining Coach Lane’s staff at one of the premier small college programs in the country,” Stone added. “I believe this year’s team has the talent to compete at a high level and am excited to get to work and help carry on the tradition of Transylvania men’s basketball.”
As an assistant with Lexington Catholic, Stone specialized in player development for the school’s middle school and high school teams. While Stone was with the storied program under Brandon Salsman, Lexington Catholic captured the 11th Region championship in 2014-2015.
Stone also independently runs the Stone Basketball Training where he specializes as a basketball skills trainer, working with players at all levels spanning elite high school, collegiate, and overseas professional basketball players.
The Transylvania Class of 2012 graduate draws upon his time as an overseas professional basketball player and his collegiate playing experience at Transy in forming his coaching laurels. Prior to beginning his coaching career, Stone played for the Bowling Green Hornets of the Central Basketball Association in 2013-2014. The following year, Stone played abroad with the Suncoast Clippers of the Queensland Basketball League in Australia.
Stone’s professional experiences followed a winning career at Transylvania where he played under Lane, leading the Pioneers to two NCAA Tournament appearances in 2009 and 2012 and two Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular-season titles. Stone served as a team co-captain as a senior at Transylvania and won the Lee Rose team award in 2011. The Lexington native graduated from Transylvania with a double major in Economics and Business Administration.
Stone joins a Transylvania men’s basketball team coming off an HCAC Tournament Championship game appearance this past season.
“We have very high expectations for the coming years,” Lane added. “Mike is excited to hit the recruiting trail and show prospective high school athletes why Transylvania is one of the best college basketball programs in the country.”
https://www.transysports.com/sports/mbkb/2019-20/releases/20190725hqpecj
