HOUGHTON, Mich. – Ben Stelzer, a former player and assistant coach for Michigan Tech’s men’s basketball team, has been appointed as an assistant coach for the Santa Cruz Warriors, as announced on Tuesday.
This marks Stelzer’s second season with the Santa Cruz Warriors, though it is his first in the role of assistant coach. In the previous season, he worked as a coaching associate and basketball operations coordinator for the team. Before joining the Warriors, Stelzer served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Michigan Technological University, for two years. He also interned with the Dallas Mavericks in player development from 2019 to 2021.
Stelzer began his collegiate basketball career in 2011 with the Huskies, where he was a four-year starter and three-year captain. He holds the record for the most 3-pointers in Michigan Tech history, with 363, and he shot 44% in his senior year. His accolades include being named an NCAA Division II All-American, an Academic All-American, and the Midwest Region Player of the Year. Stelzer helped lead the Huskies to three appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a run to the Sweet 16. Following his college career, he played professionally in Spain for Layma Basquet Coruna, finishing as the league leader in 3-pointers and aiding his team in reaching the playoff semifinals.