LOUISVILLE, Ky.--Bellarmine University announced today that former NBA and University of Louisville basketball player Reece Gaines has joined the men's basketball staff as an assistant coach.

“I was fortunate to coach Reece all four years at the University of Louisville,” said Bellarmine Head Coach Scott Davenport, “and I can tell you that he possesses a great amount of personal pride. When he applies that pride to coaching, he'll have a great career (as a coach.)”

Davenport added, “In introducing (Gaines) to the team, he was just incredible.  I think Reece will be great for Bellarmine basketball and for Bellarmine University as a whole.”

Gaines is one of the all-time best players in the storied tradition of University of Louisville basketball. A 6-6 shooting guard, Gaines ranks No. 4 on the Cardinals' all-time scoring list with 1,945 points, and after his senior season was named to All America teams by the Sporting News, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and the Associated Press. 

In the 2003 NBA draft, Gaines was selected in the first round, and 15^th overall, by the Orlando Magic, initiating a 10-year professional career that included stints with the Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, and several teams in Europe. 

At Bellarmine, Gaines will assist in all facets of the program as he joins a coaching staff that also includes Drew Cooper and Michael Scott.   Gaines replaces Carl White, who took the head coaching job at Shawnee High School earlier this month.

“I am really looking forward to working with Coach Davenport and the entire Bellarmine basketball family as I embark on a new phase of my career.  It's nice to be back in Louisville and to be at Bellarmine, which has ascended to become one of the elite programs in all of Division II basketball.”

Gaines is a native of Madison, Wisc., where he starred at Madison West High School.