June 26, 2009

Greenville, S.C. - David Willson has been named as an assistant coach on the Furman University men's basketball staff, it was announced this week by Paladin head coach Jeff Jackson.

Willson, a native of Memphis, Tenn., has spent the past four seasons as an assistant under head coach Ernie Nestor at Elon University after serving as assistant coach for one season at the College of William & Mary. The 2004 Hampden-Sydney College graduate helped the Phoenix to the 2006 Southern Conference North Division title and a trip to the SoCon Tournament championship game during the 2007-08 campaign.

"We are excited to have David joining our staff," said Jackson. "We think his familiarity with the Southern Conference and an institution like Furman, due to his time at Elon and William & Mary, give him great insight into what we need to be successful."

Willson, who played one season at Southern Methodist University before transferring to Hampden-Sydney, earned three varsity letters for the Tigers and averaged 10.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest as a senior while also serving as team captain. As a junior, he averaged 7.8 points and paced the Tigers with 6.1 boards per game, helping Hampden-Sydney to the 2003 NCAA Division III Final Four.

As a prep standout, Willson led Memphis University School to a 70-15 record. He averaged 19 points and nine rebounds per contest as a senior while garnering West Tennessee Player of the Year honors and being named a finalist for Tennessee's Division II Mr. Basketball award.