DePaul University announced this week that Roger Sancho has been appointed senior athletic trainer for the men’s basketball program, a move that brings a decade of NBA expertise to the Chicago campus.
Sancho’s career spans stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors, where he contributed to three championship seasons and served as head athletic trainer during the Suns’ 2023 In‑Season Tournament run.
Prior to his most recent role, he served as associate head athletic trainer and performance coach for the Warriors, a period that included titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018, and he also guided the Santa Cruz Warriors to a 2015 G‑League championship.
His international résumé includes a posting with Team Nigeria at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he helped coordinate medical support for the country’s basketball squad.
Sancho’s academic credentials feature a bachelor’s degree from UT‑Arlington and a master’s in sport management from Baylor, providing a blend of clinical training and administrative insight.
Coach Holtmann hails the addition
Head coach Chris Holtmann welcomed Sancho, emphasizing that his championship‑level medical oversight and performance‑focused approach will strengthen the program’s competitive edge.
The university also took the opportunity to thank Mike Sommer, who completed a nine‑year tenure with DePaul’s athletic training department, as he moves on to new professional endeavors.
Sancho’s hiring underscores DePaul’s commitment to integrating elite sports medicine into its basketball ambitions, positioning the Blue Demons for a promising future on the court and in player health management.