| Rod Strickland |
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Every coach will tell you it's hard to replace experience. So, when Milt Wagner took his years of college and professional basketball know-how to join Tony Barbee's staff at UTEP, John Calipari looked to add another person who would bring that same background to the Memphis program. Enter Rod Strickland, a 17-year NBA veteran and two-time All-America at DePaul.
Strickland joined the Memphis basketball as Director of Student-Athlete Development/Manager and assists with "behind-the-scenes" duties, including overseeing the team's student managers and monitoring the student-athletes' academic progress. As Wagner did during his time in Memphis, Strickland is taking classes toward completing his bachelor's degree.
One of the Tigers' new additions for 2006-07 made an immediate impact in only his first season. Strickland was a member of the Memphis staff that directed the Tigers to one of the program's most successful campaigns in 2006-07. Memphis won a school-record tying 33 games (33-4 record), swept the Conference USA regular season and tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
The New York City native came to Memphis after a lengthy and successful career in the NBA. The 6-foot-3 guard was an NBA first round draft pick of the Knicks in 1988, and during his career, played for New York, San Antonio, Portland, Washington, Miami, Minnesota, Orlando, Toronto and Houston. Strickland played in 1,094 games and scored over 14,000 points (13.2 career average) and dished out nearly 8,000 assists (7.3 career average).
The 1997-98 NBA campaign with Washington was Strickland's best, as he averaged a double-double with 17.8 points and 10.5 assists. His 10.5 assist average led the NBA that year, and he was selected to the All-NBA second team. That year, Strickland also became only the 25th player in NBA history to record 10,000 points and 5,000 assists. He also ranked among the NBA's top 10 in assists in the 1991-92 (5th), 1993-94 (6th), 1994-95 (5th) and 1995-96 (4th) seasons.
Prior to his time in the NBA, Strickland enjoyed a stellar career at DePaul. A 1987 and 1988 All-America pick, Strickland helped lead the Blue Demons to four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 1985-88, including Sweet Sixteen showings in 1986 and 1987. The four-time Blue Demon letterwinner ranks among the program's career leaders in scoring average (8th; 16.6 ppg), assists (3rd; 557) and steals (2nd; 204).
