NACOGDOCHES, Texas- The SFA men’s basketball team recently added their final 2024 staff member to the team. Jamaal Scott will be joining the Lumberjacks as the team’s Director of Basketball Operations.
Scott is an experienced educator and athletics leader following a decorated playing career which includes being named a McDonald’s All-American and the 2000 Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year, Scott will provide the Lumberjack program with personal, vocational, educational, and advanced training at both the individual and group levels.
Scott is a graduate of the University of Richmond where he played for the Spiders from 2002-05 and was an Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference Team selection and a two-year team captain. After beginning his collegiate career at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and earning Big West Conference Freshman of the Year by averaging 15.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, Scott transferred to Richmond where he would score 1,150 points and help lead the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance and two NIT appearances.
He graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Richmond before earning a Master of Education degree from Grand Canyon University in secondary education. Scott was the head basketball coach at Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek, Ariz. from 2010-17 where he led the program to five state tournament appearances and a section championship title. He also taught business and finance in the Career Technical Education Program for the Cave Creek Unified School District during that time. Along with his role at Cactus Shadows, Scott worked as a trainer at the Desert Foothills Athletic Club from 2006-17 where he planned and implemented development programs for athletes.
He most recently worked as the Texas Tech men’s basketball program’s Academic Advisor. He spent a year with the Red Raiders before joining Kyle Keller‘s staff in Nacogdoches.
Scott has expressed his enthusiasm and eagerness to join the SFA program.
“Trying to describe my feelings about the opportunity to join Coach Keller and his staff at SFA, I’m afraid would not do it proper justice. I can’t thank Coach Keller and his staff enough. I have been lucky to be a small part of some really special teams and more importantly develop quality relationships that have afforded me this opportunity.”
To those people, I owe a huge debt of gratitude. My family and I look forward to joining the SFA and Nacogdoches community and I am eager to contribute to the winning environment that Coach Keller has developed in Nac. Axe ‘Em Jacks!,” Scott said.
“I am so thrilled to announce the hiring of Jamaal Scott to complete our staff, said Head Coach Kyle Keller, ” Jamaal is such a well-rounded & diverse coach. His skill set to not only teach the game from the eye of a high-level former player, but also the mentorship side he has spent the last few years. This will only enhance his ability to grow his connection with our players on and off the court. We are excited to welcome Amy, Carter, Noelle, and Emme to the Piney Woods,”.
By: Jace Green, Assistant for Strategic Communications