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.
Stelzer begins his second season with the Santa Cruz Warriors, now taking on the role of assistant coach after serving last season as a coaching associate and basketball operations coordinator for the team. Before joining the Warriors, he spent two years as an assistant men’s basketball coach at his alma mater, Michigan Technological University. Additionally, Stelzer gained experience as a player development intern with the Dallas Mavericks from 2019 to 2021.
His collegiate playing career at Michigan Tech started in 2011, where he became a four-year starter and three-year captain. Stelzer holds the record for the most 3-pointers made in the program’s history with 363 and achieved a shooting percentage of 44% during 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. He led the Huskies to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16. After completing his college career, Stelzer played in Spain for Layma Basquet Coruna, where he led the league in 3-pointers made and contributed to his team’s advance to the playoff semifinals.