Basketball

Program Philosophy

The De Smet Jesuit Basketball Program is committed to developing young men into leaders while building a culture of accountability, trust, and togetherness. The Spartan Basketball Coaching Staff teaches student-athletes the importance of self-discipline and how to compete consistently at a high level. Our goal is to prepare each student-athlete for the demands required for the next level academically, physically, and mentally.

Program History

Welcome to the rich tradition of De Smet Jesuit Spartans Basketball. In just 52 years, De Smet has compiled 5 State Championships, 13 Finals Four appearances, 33 District Championships, 10 Metro Catholic Conference Championships and 28 20-Win seasons. The Spartans have also produced 96 College Basketball Players including the legendary Steve Stipanovich, who was drafted by the Indiana Pacers as the 2^nd Overall Pick in the NBA Draft.

2020-2021 Season Highlights

De Smet Jesuit Basketball put together yet another historical season under the leadership of Coach Kent Williams. Highlights include:

Winning De Smet Jesuit’s 33^rd Basketball District Championship, the first in eight years
A mainstay in the top five for STLToday.com’s Top 10 Area Large Schools
Winning the Circle 7 Showdown for the third straight year
Becoming the first St. Louis area school in three seasons to defeat Vashon with a 48-41 victory in the final regular season game

In a COVID-shortened season featuring only 22 games, the Spartans played six games versus State Final Four Teams, including three State Champions, to compete once again with one of the toughest schedules in the State of Missouri.

As a team, the Spartans averaged just under 60 points per game while holding their opponents to 47 points per game. The Spartans played this season without Missouri Tiger signee Yaya Keita, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in the fall. Junior guard Brian Taylor picked up the slack as he led the team in scoring, assists, and steals while becoming De Smet’s first All-State selection since 2013. Senior Jeremiah Walker became the school’s 17^th player to join the 1,000-point club. Senior Sekou Gassama set a school record vs. Chaminade in a game where he scored 24 points while shooting 17-20 from the free-throw line. Both the makes and attempts became new school records. Sophomore Justin Duff also set a school record with eight steals vs. Lafayette in the first game of the season.

Awards:

All-State

Brian Taylor (junior)

All-District

Sekou Gassama (senior)

Brennan Lovette (junior)

Brian Taylor (junior)

Jeremiah Walker (senior)

1^st Team All-MCC

Brian Taylor (junior)

2^nd Team All-MCC

Sekou Gassama (senior)

Jeremiah Walker (senior)

Photo Gallery

Trophy Room

Varsity Statistics

COVID GUIDELINES FOR BASKETBALL GAMES

All games are CLOSED to the public.
Each rostered player is allowed 2 people at the game.
Doors will open 15 minutes prior to game time.
Fans must leave after the conclusion of the game and can not stay for the next game.
Everyone must wear masks at all times.

Summer Camp Information

Basketball Schedule

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Teams

Varsity

Schedule

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Roster

Coaches

Kent Williams

Teacher/Head Basketball Coach, Head Basketball Coach

Kent Williams has compiled an impressive profile over his playing and coaching career. As Southern Illinois Universities 2nd All-Time Leading Scorer with 2,012 points, Kent helped lead the Salukis to back to back MVC Championships in 2002 & 2003 including back to back NCAA Tournaments. In 2002, the Salukis reached the Sweet 16. Kent is the only player in SIU history to lead the team in scoring all 4 years. Kent set a school record while starting all 130 games and complied the most minutes played in school history. He's 2nd in 3 Pointers made, 2nd in Free Throws made, and 8th in Assists. Over his career, Kent earned 1st Team All-MVC in '02 & '03, 2nd Team All-MVC in '01 and was named Freshman of the Year and Newcomer of the Year in '00. Kent also was the first ever 2-Time MVC Scholar Athlete of the Year in '02 & '03.

Kent was inducted into SIU's Hall of Fame in 2009 and was also selected to the SIU All-Century Team in 2014. In 2019, Kent was inducted into the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame and he is also a member of the MVC All-Centennial Team.

Kent's coaching career began at Purdue University as the Supervisor of Basketball Operations under 2019 National Coach of the Year and 4-Time Big 10 Coach of the Year Matt Painter. During Kent's time at Purdue, the Boilermakers went from worst to 2nd in just 3 seasons while setting a school record for the largest turnaround in school history. Kent coached 4 NBA Draft Picks: Carl Landry, E'Twuan Moore, JaJuan Johnson, and Robbie Hummel.

In 2008, Kent became an Assistant Coach at Missouri State University under Cuonzo Martin. While at Missouri State, the Bears went from worst to first in 3 seasons and won the schools first & only MVC Regular Season Championship. Once again, setting a school record for the largest turnaround, the Bears went from 8 wins to 24 wins while setting school records for points per game and 3's made in a season. Kent was instrumental in developing MVC Player of the Year Kyle Weems and MVC Newcomer of the Year Adam Leonard.

In 2011, Kent became an Assistant Coach at the University of Tennessee. While at Tennessee, the Vols averaged 21 wins a season including a run to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2014. Kent coached 3 NBA Draft Picks: Jarnell Stokes, Jordan McRae, and Josh Richardson.

After Tennessee, Kent spent 2 years as an Assistant Coach at SIU-Edwardsville before taking over De Smet as the school's 6th Head Coach. In just 2 years at De Smet, Kent helped guide the Spartans to a school record turnaround going from 7 wins to 23 wins. In the 2018-19 season, the Spartans were Champions of the Centralia Thanksgiving Tournament and the Circle 7 Showdown and finished 2nd in the Meremec Coaches vs. Cancer Holiday Tournament. Sr. Evan Asleson was named 1st Team All-MCC. Jr. Michael Skoff, So. Jeremiah Walker and So. Sekou Gassama were all named 2nd Team All-MCC.

Assistant Coach