RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Manhattan head men’s basketball coach Steve Masiello has officially named Rasheen Davis an assistant coach on his staff. Davis, a New York City native, returns to his hometown bringing five years of high level NCAA Division I experience to the Jaspers basketball program. Davis spent the last two years as an assistant coach at Xavier on Chris Mack’s staff helping the Musketeers to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2011-12.
“I could not be more excited with anyone else except Rasheen Davis to fill Coach (Rashon) Burno’s role. It is not going to be easy to do, but I know Rasheen will be able to do it,” said Masiello. “We are getting one of the highest character people I know, as well as one of the brightest superstars in college basketball. His recruiting reputation speaks for itself. His basketball mind and relationships are going to be a great asset to our program. Rasheen comes with a wealth of high major experience from a program in which we hope to soon be one day.”
Davis helped guide Xavier to a 47-21 (.691) overall record and 25-7 mark in the Atlantic 10 during his two year tenure in Cincinnati. The Musketeers won the 2011 Atlantic 10 Regular-Season Championship in his first year after posting a 15-1 conference record. Xavier recorded 23 wins in 2011-12 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament South Regional Semifinal. Davis helped mentor seven All-Conference selections, including two-time First Team recipient, 2011 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and All-America honoree Tu Holloway.
“I am really excited to be back home in New York,” explained Davis. “When I was growing up Manhattan was a big name in New York City basketball, so I am looking forward to continuing that tradition. Coach Masiello and his staff did a phenomenal job last year and I look forward to adding on to that.”
Prior to Xavier, Davis spent the previous two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh on head coach Jamie Dixon’s staff serving as the video coordinator. His first season with Pitt in 2008-09 featured the Panthers run to the NCAA Tournament East Regional Final. Pitt posted a 31-5 overall record and achieved a #1 national ranking during the season. In 2009-10, the Panthers registered 25 wins and earned their fourth NCAA Tournament victory during Davis’ tenure.
Davis joined the Division I coaching ranks in 2007-08 as a program assistant at the University of Louisville under head coach Rick Pitino and Masiello who was an assistant coach on the staff. His responsibilities included assisting with scouting opponents and monitoring on-campus recruiting efforts. The Cardinals went 27-9 that season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
At the high school level, Davis served as the assistant boys varsity basketball coach at national prep power Rice High School in the Bronx from 2005-07 working under head coach Maurice Hicks. In his two seasons, Rice captured back-to-back New York State Archdiocesan championships and the New York City title in 2005-06. The Raiders went 56-9 in the two year span and finished both seasons ranked in the nation’s top-25.
Davis’ coaching experience extends to the New York Gauchos AAU Basketball program, where he assisted Dwayne Mitchell with the under-17 boys’ team for three years. Combined with his high school coaching career, Davis coached one McDonald’s All-American, three Jordan Brand National All-Americans and six Jordan Brand Regional All-Americans.
Davis’ coaching tenure started as an assistant at his alma mater St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, N.Y. from 2002-05. He played two years for the Spartans under veteran head coach Dennis O’Donnell. Davis earned his bachelor’s degree in social science from St. Thomas Aquinas in 2002 and received his master’s degree in guidance & counseling from the College of New Rochelle (NY) in 2005.
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