| Dana Barros, who was a standout college and professional player in Boston, will try to have the same success as a college basketball coach at nearby Newbury. Newbury athletics photo |
Newbury announced former Boston Celtic and NBA All-Star Dana Barros as its next head men's basketball coach. Barros succeeds Jelani Townsell who resigned after five seasons as the Nighthawks' head coach.
"Dana brings a truly rare combination of passion, leadership, dedication to his community and basketball knowledge that set him apart from the pool of great candidates that we spoke with," said Newbury president Joseph L. Chillo "Newbury is proud to welcome one of Boston's best homegrown talents to our campus."
Barros, a Boston native and graduate of Boston College was the first round pick (16th overall) of the Seattle SuperSonics in 1989. Barros went on to enjoy a 13-year NBA playing career, including five seasons as a member of the Boston Celtics (1995-2000). Barros' individual accolades at the NBA level include being voted as an NBA All-Star in 1995 and being crowned as the NBA's Most Improved Player in the same year. A notorious sharp-shooter from beyond the 3-point line, Barros saw his longstanding NBA record of 89 consecutive games with a 3-pointer made eclipsed this season by 2015 NBA MVP Stephen Curry.
A proven performer and leader on the court, Barros will now turn his attention to the Newbury Nighthawks.
"I love Boston. I was born here, I was raised here, I went to school here and I enjoyed my greatest professional successes as a member of the Celtics," said Barros. "I have been looking for the opportunity to build a D-III program in the greater Boston area, where I can impact the lives of local student-athletes and help to shape their futures."
Following his NBA playing career, Barros continued entrenching himself in the fabric of the Boston community through a number of visible positions including – director of recreation for the city of Boston, an NBA commentator for NESN, an NBA sports analyst for Comcast, and has also assisted over the years with media relations and player development for the Boston Celtics.
Barros, a graduate of Xaverian Brothers High School and Boston College, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communications and broadcasting. Barros spends his free time serving as the owner and operator of the Dana Barros Basketball Club and Camps in Avon, Mass.
Barros is not the first NBA player to take over a Division III basketball program, though it is rare. Doug West, who had a 12-year career with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Vancouver Grizzlies, just finished his first year as head coach at Penn State-Altoona. Further back Rusty LaRue coached at Greensboro for one season in 2004-05 and Armon Gilliam also coached at Penn State-Altoona for three seasons from 2002 through 2005.