Assistant Coach Damon Stoudamire is Moving to Memphis
Feb 21, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats assistant coaches Damon Stoudamire Book Richardson , forward Brandon Ashley (21) , forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23) , center Kaleb Tarczewski (35) and guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (0) cheer from the bench after scoring against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Here is the full Twitter statement from Damon care of OregonLive.com (Stoudamire is originally from Oregon and played for the Portland Trailblazers as well):
Arizona Wildcats
“I tell you the last 72 hrs have been tough, but let me take everyone into my mind for a moment!
Every since I was 7 yrs old I dedicated my life to being an NBA baller! Yes, I was selfish every step of the way. I had a great 13 year career in the NBA. When I retired, I started coaching and fell in love with it! I have ability lots of people struggle with and that’s dealing with kids! It’s always been that way!
As when I left Memphis, it was about an opportunity to come back to my alma mater and represent U of A the best I could! Strange thing is, I found out a lot who Damon Stoudamire actually was! I had changed. I wasn’t the same guy anymore! The question became: We’re as good as any team in the country, we have pros, I work for 1 of the best dudes and basketball minds in the country! Why do i feel empty?
I’m helping raise everybody else’s kids, but what about my 2 boys?! They need me, too. All my playing years I was selfish and it worked out for me but, now it’s not about me, it’s about my boys! I never really knew how I felt till I missed seeing them play in football and basketball games! I was finally their dad again. Not the guy on TV anymore. I’d finally built our relationship where it needed to be. This opportunity to still do what I love, coaching bball and helping kids, but being by my own was too good to pass up! In my eyes it’s the best of both worlds! Arizona basketball is in a great place with a great coach, passionate fans, great administration! I will always be AZ to the heart, but right now it’s just not about me. #beardown #AZ4life” — Damon Stoudamire on Twitter.
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