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SALT LAKE CITY — Just days after learning that junior forward Donnie Tillman was returning to the school, the University of Utah men’s basketball program finalized its coaching staff Thursday.
Larry Krystkowiak announced Thursday that he has hired Henry Martinez to be his assistant coach and made official the hiring of Donny Daniels as the team’s director of player development. Daniels’ hiring was reported in April but the university had yet to confirm his hire.
Martinez comes to Utah after a 16-year career as the head coach and director of the ProBasket Academy in Costa Rica. While there, Martinez coached high school students and the Costa Rican National Team, as well as being a three-time national champion for Heredia CCDR in the FECOBA Tournament, according to a press release.
“Henry is a great skill development coach, who also possesses unlimited spirit and energy and we welcome him to our staff,” Krystkowiak said in a prepared statement. “He has a willingness to share his basketball experiences, along with his knowledge of the game, and that has created a multitude of opportunities for countless youth in Costa Rica.”
The move to hire Martinez comes on the heels of recruit Ian Martinez reportedly committing to play at Utah next season. The JSerra High School shooting guard is ranked 78th in the country and 18th overall shooting guard in the country, according to 247sports.com.
Henry Martinez is originally from Costa Rica and played professionally for the Costa Rican National Team. While playing professionally, Martinez claimed eight national championships with different programs, including two championships in 2013 and 2014 with Pro Team Drenes Barba, according to Utah.
“We talk a great deal about DNA being our team motto, which means being Different, Noticeable and Appealing,” Krystkowiak said in a statement. “Both Henry and Donny possess these attributes and we are excited to have these gentlemen joining our program.
Martinez fills the void left by longtime assistant coach DeMarlo Slocum, who accepted an assistant coach position at UNLV shortly after Utah’s season concluded.
