(St. Louis, MO) – Hundreds of fans and supporters crammed into Meeks Family Fieldhouse Friday for the introduction of the new Evansville basketball coach Walter McCarty. The former Kentucky Wildcat and NBA player is returning to the territory where he grew up to put his stamp on Purple Aces basketball.
McCarty spent ten years playing in the NBA after winning a national championship at Kentucky (under Rick Pitino) and has been an NBA assistant coach for six years, most recently with the Boston Celtics.
McCarty, a Harrison High School performer, says he’s coming ‘home’ because he remembers how exciting Evansville basketball can be, and he wants to bring that excitement back to the Ford Center.
McCarty didn’t waste time name-dropping, but the likes of Brad Stevens, Jim O’Brien, Tony Delk and others have done plenty of bragging about the 6’10 McCarty. Celtics’ head coach Stevens said he knows McCarty will go a good job.
“Walter is a really good basketball coach that will work hard to help his players maximize their student-athlete experience, while pursuing excellence on the court. I know how much it means to him to have a chance to lead this program in his hometown.”
McCarty says tougher scheduling and aggressive, fast-paced basketball will be the hall-marks of the Aces’ program.
The 19th overall pick of the 1996 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks, McCarty also spent time playing for the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers. Over his 10-year NBA career, McCarty finished with 3,056 points, 1,554 rebounds and 670 assists.
He coached collegiately at Louisville (under Pitino) and in the NBA with Indiana (2010-11) and with the Celtics (2013 – 2018).
With rampant rumors that most the current Evansville players looking to transfer, McCarty addressed his view of continuing to build on a good foundation.
“I am happy to be here and add to the foundation of this wonderful program and bring our fans back,” McCarty added. “We have a big vision and I am looking forward to competing at a high level. We want to help these guys become great young men and to be successful on and off the court.”
During his introductory celebration, the classy McCarty paused to thank former head coach Marty Simmons.
As McCarty told the fans and supporters that the program needs their support, assistant athletic director Lance Wilkerson told the enthusiastic crowd, it’s not too late to join ‘The McCarty Party‘. Wilkerson noted in the first 24 hours of the announcement, there were more new season tickets sold than all of last year.
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As we near the closing of the portal window, we've reached 1900. Some of them never to play college basketball again, earn a college degree and some to play at a much lower level than they did last season.
I guess we'll be seeing this in a @RacersHoops uniform this year. Glad AJ is staying in the @ValleyHoops.
