HOUGHTON, Mich. – Ben Stelzer, a former men’s basketball player and assistant coach at Michigan Tech, has been appointed as an assistant coach for the Santa Cruz Warriors, as announced on Tuesday.
Stelzer will be entering his second season with the Warriors, marking his first in the role of assistant coach. During the previous season, he contributed as a coaching associate and basketball operations coordinator for the team. Before joining the Warriors, Stelzer spent two years as an assistant men’s basketball coach at his alma mater, Michigan Technological University. Additionally, he gained experience as a player development intern for the Dallas Mavericks from 2019 to 2021.
Stelzer began his college basketball career in 2011 with the Black & Gold, becoming a four-year starter and three-year captain for the Huskies. He holds the program record for the most career 3-pointers at 363 and achieved a shooting percentage of 44% during his senior year. His accolades include being named an NCAA Division II All-American, Academic All-American, and Midwest Region Player of the Year. He played a pivotal role in leading the Huskies to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16. Following his collegiate career, Stelzer played in Spain for Layma Basquet Coruna, where he led the league in total 3-pointers made and helped his team reach the playoff semifinals.