Western Carolina University’s basketball team will look very different than 2020-21 season.
Earlier in April, WCU men’s head basketball coach, Mark Prosser, announced that he is leaving to be the head coach for the men’s basketball team at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC.
“Thank you for 3 amazing seasons in the ‘Whee, and truly, for your collective support during some of the most memorable moments of my life.” Prosser wrote on his announcement on twitter.
Justin Gray, an assistant basketball coach from Winthrop University will be taking over as head coach from the men’s team at WCU. The announcement was released on April 13, by WCU athletics.
With Prosser’s announcement, six WCU players entered the NCAA transfer portal and leaving the team and WCU. Most of these players are starters, among them is junior guard, Kameron Gibson.
“I decided to transfer because I wanted to explore my options. To my teammates transferring, I have nothing but love for them on their next journey and wish the best for them, WCU basketball is in good hands, Alex Gary will make the best decision for the program to take a leap forward throughout the future. The rest that are staying are great guys and players that will have a good career,” Gibson said.
Prosser not only left his mark on WCU athletics but the players as well. As long as players put in the work, he helped them in whatever way that he could on and off the court.
“As a coach, he was cool, calm, and collected and wants the best for of you. He really gave me confidence throughout my years at Western. He’s always careful of his players and make sure you are locked in on the court and off the court. Always having fun and enjoying the moment,” Gibson said.
Over the past three seasons at WCU, the basketball team became more popular than ever. With the combination of coach Mark Prosser joined together with players like Mason Faulkner, Kameron Gibson, Travion McCray, Carlos Dotson and more, the program at Western Carolina were turning the program around into a winning one.
The year Prosser arrived as head coach, the mens basketball team went 7-25 overall for the 2018-2019 and 4-14 for the Southern Conference, losing to VMI in the first round of the Southern Conference tournament. In the 2019-2020 season, Prosser and the basketball team went 19-12 overall, 10-8 in the conference, losing to ETSU in the semifinals of the SoCon tournament as well as barely losing to the Florida State University, 79-74, earlier in the season.
“The Florida State game last season was probably the best game I’ve ever played in. The energy between the players and the fans. I feel like we really could have and should have won that,” said alum, Carlos Dotson.
This past season the team went 11-16 overall, 4-13 in the conference and lost in the first round of the SoCon tournament against VMI.
