North Carolina State University Athletics
Phelps Named Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
5/25/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
RALEIGH, N.C. (May 25) - Mark Phelps, a member of the NC State men's basketball staff each of the past four seasons, has been named an assistant coach, head coach Herb Sendek announced today. In addition, Kenya Hunter, an assistant coach at Duquesne University the past two seasons, has been hired as Director of Basketball Operations.
"Mark has been a tremendous asset to our program the past four years, and he'll certainly continue to add great value in his new capacity," said Sendek. "We are also very happy to have Kenya return to NC State. He is familiar with our program and will help us a great deal."
Phelps had served as NC State's Director of Basketball Operations each of the past four seasons, overseeing the day-to-day administrative responsibilities for the program. As an assistant coach, he will be responsible for on-floor coaching, scouting and on-campus recruiting, as well as various other tasks within the program.
Prior to joining the NC State program, Phelps had a highly successful tenure as a high school head coach. During his six years directing a pair of Virginia independent high school teams, he compiled a 148-53 (.736) overall record. In two seasons at Atlantic Shores Christian High School in Virginia Beach, Va., Phelps' teams went 44-12. Two of his former Atlantic Shores players are Wolfpack rising seniors Damon Thornton and Kenny Inge. Phelps also coached four years at Rock Church Academy, posting a 104-41 record, while twice earning Metro Conference Coach of the Year honors. He also served as athletics director at both high schools.
A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Phelps is a graduate of Old Dominion with a B.S. in physical education. He replaces former assistant John Groce, who was named an assistant at Butler University earlier this month.
Kenya Hunter served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Duquesne, for the past two seasons. Prior to that, he was a student manager at NC State from 1996-98 while completing his master's in education. As a player at Duquesne, Hunter finished his career third on the Dukes' all-time assist list (439). He also totaled 971 points and 218 steals while shooting 74.4 percent from the free throw line and 35.1 percent from the three-point arc. He was a two-time recipient of the Slhugo Green Award, presented annually to the top upperclassmen. He earned his B.A. in liberal arts from Duquesne in 1996.
Hunter was an accomplished quarterback as well as a basketball guard while at Wakefield High in Arlington, Va. He also teamed with former Syracuse guard Lawrence Moten to lead New Hampton School in New Hampshire to a 23-3 record prior to enrolling at Duquesne.
