Following one of the most successful year-to-year turnarounds in NCAA Division I history and the greatest single season turnaround in Horizon League basketball history, Green Bay men’s basketball coach Sundance Wicks has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him in Titletown through the 2028-2029 season. In his first year at the helm, Wicks won the 2023-24 Horizon League Coach of the Year in his first year and the Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year.
“Sunny has done such an amazing job in year one, we are thrilled that he will continue to lead the Phoenix for the foreseeable future,” said Director of Athletics Josh Moon. “We are building something special in Green Bay, and his connectivity, juice, belief, character and passion for this program and University will continue to help us RISE to new heights. What I appreciate most about Sunny is his love for our players and his deep commitment and belief to learn from the legends that have come before him, he has embraced the grit and hard work that embodies this region and this program and ignited the passion and belief for Phoenix basketball from so many. We are excited to watch the continued rise of this program under his leadership.”
Wicks, a Gillette, Wyoming native, was tasked with raising the Phoenix from the ashes of one of the lowest points in program history. He immediately rebuilt and re-energized the program, highlighted by winning 18 games, the most regular season wins since the 2016-17 season. The Phoenix also achieved Horizon League success, winning 13 HL games for the first time since the 2013-14 season, and finishing third for the first time since 2019-20. The Green Bay community took notice, and games saw an average attendance increase of 42% this year, as well as a 63% increase in ticket sales.
In addition to Green Bay’s team success, Wicks also guided numerous players to award-winning seasons. Lead guard Noah Reynolds was named the Horizon League Newcomer of the Year, All-Horizon League First Team, and NABC District 12 All-Region First Team after an outstanding season. For the first time in program history, Green Bay also saw two freshmen named to the Horizon League All-Freshman Team, David Douglas Jr. (Freshman of the Year) and Marcus Hall.
While the Phoenix excelled on the court, their off the court accomplishments might be even more impressive. As a team, Green Bay finished the Fall 2023 semester with a 3.25 GPA, the second-highest mark in program history. The team has also been involved in over thirty volunteer activities, ranging from reading to local elementary school children, to move-in day on campus, to being present at fellow student-athlete send-offs, SAAC meetings, and community outreach events.
In total, the Phoenix went 18-14 in 2023-24 after a 3-29 season in 2022-23. That 15.5-game turnaround is tied for ninth-best turnaround in NCAA DI history. The 13 Horizon League wins is also the most by a first-year head coach in Green Bay men’s basketball history.
“I would first like to express my deepest gratitude for Chancellor Alexander and Director of Athletics Josh Moon for their backing and BELIEF in the mission and vision of our program through this extension,” Wicks said. “It is because of their BELIEF that I get to wake up every day living my passion and carrying on ‘The Green Bay Way’ legacy of those that came before me. It is an honor serving UWGB, Green Bay, the Fox Valley, and all northeastern Wisconsin.”
“The way the Phoenix faithful brought the JUICE this season and helped will our team to wins in the Resch Center this year was remarkable!” Wicks continued, “that love and support from our Phoenix family helped these young men orchestrate the greatest single season turnaround in Horizon League basketball history. More than ever, our staff and players are committed to the work, and we will all be relentless in our pursuit for excellence both on and off the court. THANK YOU TO THE ARMY OF ENERGY GIVERS, THE BELIEVERS AND ALL THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES DIFFERENCE MAKERS OUT THERE THAT HELPED ELEVATE OUR PROGRAM. THE RISE CONTINUES!!!”
Wicks inks contract extension through 2028-29 at UWGB
