06/19/2024
Congratulations Marcus!
The West Memphis School District has hired a familiar face as its next Head Basketball Coach. Blue Devil alumnus and West Memphis Sports Hall of Famer Marcus Brown is returning to the helm of the Blue Devil Basketball Program. He returns to West Memphis after spending the last three seasons as a college coach with his alma mater, the Murray State Racers. “It’s with unbelievable joy for me to return home to my alma mater,” Brown comments. “I’m blessed and humbled to get the opportunity to lead our prestigious program again.”
“Marcus was a teenager in the neighborhood when I met him”, says interim superintendent Willie Harris. “He was a good student and extremely talented on the court. He is a skillful player with great jumping ability. Marcus has always been a winner and good leader, and he can restore the championship legacy of the district.” Harris continues, “Marcus has the support of the community and will be a good example of leadership for our students.”
Brown was selected in the second round of the NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers in 1996. After three seasons in the NBA, he then spent 14 years abroad playing Euro League basketball. Prior to leaving for Murray State, he led the West Memphis Blue Devil squad to a championship as they were crowned co-champions of the 5A State Basketball Tournament in 2020. Brown’s accolades include being named 5A Coach of the Year, two-time 5A East Conference Coach of the Year, 2018 selection to join the Arkansas high school All-Star coaching staff, inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the Murray State Hall of Fame, and was recognized as one of the top Euro League players of all time.
“I’m looking forward to pouring into our student-athletes on their athletic and life journeys,” Brown shares. “I take pride in the fact that my kids have always been academically qualified and college ready. The goal this year is to improve on last year’s record. We have a talented young group of players returning led by experienced seniors”, Brown says of the team. “We will accomplish our goal by growing together, supporting each other and competing in classroom and on the court.”
