Men’s Basketball Adds Anthony Wilkins as Assistant Coach

RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) head men’s basketball coach Kahil Fennell announced on Tuesday the hiring of Anthony Wilkins, who spent last season as an assistant coach at Vanderbilt, as an assistant coach.

Wilkins was an assistant coach under 2022-23 SEC Coach of the Year Jerry Stackhouse. Wilkins has spent over 10 years developing student-athletes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), American Athletic Conference, and Mid-American Conference (MAC).

“We’re incredibly excited to have Anthony join our program,” Fennell said. “His experience at the high major level in scouting and developing young players will be an instant boost to this team now, and moving forward. Anthony is as solid of a guy as you’ll find in this business and his character and expertise will mean the world to this group.”

Prior to joining Vanderbilt, Wilkins spent five seasons at Georgia Tech, where he spent four seasons as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach in 2022-23. Wilkins helped the Yellow Jackets to an ACC Tournament Championship in 2020-21, finishing No. 6 in the nation in scoring, No. 2 in field goal percentage, and No. 2 in three-point percentage, while recording the third fewest turnovers in the ACC.

Wilkins guided the development of Jose Alvarado, who is playing in the NBA with the New Orleans Pelicans, to ACC Defensive Player the Year in 2020-21. He also guided Moses Wright to ACC Player of the Year and Michael DeVoe to All-ACC Third Team honors in 2020-21.

Before joining the staff at Georgia Tech, Wilkins spent five seasons at Tulane, initially as the director of basketball operations before being promoted to assistant coach after his first season.

Wilkins was responsible for recruiting and player development. He helped put Tulane on the national recruiting scene by landing top-150 players, including Kain Harris, Kipper Nichols, and Justin Moore.

Wilkins started his coaching career at his alma mater, Kent State, in 2012-13 as the director of player development, during which time he formulated player improvement plans, supported the coaching staff in recruiting, and mentored student-athletes.

“Coach Fennell’s passion for building a winner in the Rio Grande Valley is inspiring and one of conviction,” Wilkins said. “I am excited to help the program take the next steps in its growth.”

As a player, Wilkins spent time overseas in Sweden, Ukraine, Mexico, and South Korea. Wilkins also spent two seasons in the NBA G League with the Bakersfield Jam in 2007-08 and the Fort Worth Flyers and Tulsa 66ers in 2005-06. He participated in Atlanta Hawks Vet Camp in 2005 and as part of the Hawks’ summer league team in 2006.

Wilkins was a co-captain as a senior at Kent State, helping his team to an NIT appearance by posting a 22-9 record en route to team defensive player of the year recognition.

As a junior, Wilkins guided his team to the program’s only Elite Eight appearance, finishing the season with a 30-6 record.

Wilkins earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Kent State in 2013.