Nevada Smith, the newly hired head coach of Siena College’s men’s basketball program, arrived with a clear vision: to blend an up‑tempo, 3‑point‑heavy offense with a tenacious defensive identity. A former assistant at Marquette, Smith replaces the departed Gerry McNamara and steps into a role that many expect to reshape the program’s trajectory.
A Fast‑Paced Vision
Smith has assembled a 12‑player scholarship roster that features a mix of domestic talent and international prospects from Australia, Germany, New Zealand, Spain and Turkey. The group includes returning standouts such as Brendan Coyle, Isaiah Henderson, Reid Ducharme and Owen Schlager, alongside fresh arrivals like Pace Prosser, Tan Yildizoglu, Andres Amon, Yannis Steger and Tim Ibukunoluwa.
The coach also retained point guard Parrish Edmond, Jr., a Norwalk native, and added guards Trent Egbiremolen and Mana Martin, while welcoming a trio of bigger players — Amon, Steger and Ibukunoluwa — to bolster interior play. Smith’s offensive scheme, which he describes as “organized chaos,” prioritizes spacing, three‑point shooting and rim protection.
Summer workouts begin on June 22 and will run for seven consecutive weeks, a period Smith sees as crucial for forging chemistry off the court. He and his family are relocating to Halfmoon, New York, to be closer to the campus and to immerse themselves in the community.
The coaching staff hung a framed Sports Illustrated digital cover depicting the Saints’ near‑upset of Duke in the NCAA Tournament, a reminder of the program’s potential. Smith believes the combination of experienced returnees, skilled imports and a relentless work ethic will quickly win over Siena fans.
Building Trust
Beyond tactics, the emphasis this summer is on relationships. Smith stresses that developing trust among players will be the foundation for a season that aims to compete in the Metro Conference and beyond.