COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. – Union women’s basketball head coach Mark Campbell and Mike Jones (DeMatha Catholic H.S., Md.) were named co-recipients of the 2019 USA Basketball Developmental Coach of the Year award.
According to a press release, Campbell led the USA Women’s U16 National Team to a dominant showing and perfect 6-0 record in winning the gold medal at the 2019 FIBA Americas U16 Championship from June 16-22 in Puerto Aysen, Chile.
“Just being a part of USA Basketball this summer and being able to experience the culture and the weight of being a representative was one of the more enjoyable moments of coaching for me,” Campbell said. “And so, I think it really points to how talented our group was and how much I enjoyed being around them, and then my assistant coaches as well. Just being a part of it all has been a real honor.”
By virtue of top-four finishes, both the USA men and women qualified for next summer’s 2020 FIBA U17 World Cups.
USA Basketball has awarded its Developmental Coach of the Year award since 1996 to a USA Basketball head coach who during the year of the award made a significant impact on the performance of an athlete or team on a level other than the senior national level in a manner consistent with the highest ethical, professional and moral standards.
“Both Mark Campbell and Mike Jones were exceptional in building true teams in a short amount of time and then also leading those teams to gold medals,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball chief executive officer. “We are proud to recognize their service and their success.”
Under Campbell’s guidance, the USA U16 women beat six-straight opponents by 70.5 points per game to capture the championship, including topping Canada 87-37 in the gold medal game.
USA guard Payton Verhulst was named tournament MVP, while Lauren Betts and Sonia Citron joined her on the all-tournament team.
“Coach Campbell always found a way to make each and every one of the people on the team and on the staff, the best they could be,” Verhulst said. “I knew if I was having a bad practice, he would still get the best effort out of me. He was one of the most reliable coaches I have ever played for, and I know the rest of the team felt that way as well. I believe the biggest challenge for our team was being away from our family and friends. Coach Campbell gave us the opportunity to make these strangers, who we just met a few weeks before, our family. That is why I believe my experience with USA was so exceptional.”
The USA ranked No. 1 in the eight-team tournament in points per game (103.0), scoring margin (70.5), field goal percentage (.492), 3-point percentage (.336), free throw percentage (.677), rebounding margin (+33.7), blocks per game (8.7), assists per game (26.5) and steals per game (18.8).
Currently coaching in his 21st seasons at Union University, Campbell in 2018-19 led his team to a 27-4 record and a fourth trip to the NCAA DII National Tournament.
