Truman's Tales
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DeMarre Carroll joins Cleveland Cavaliers coaching staff

Former Mizzou star joins Kenny Atkinson's team in Cleveland

By Zach Sweet

Jan 12, 2008; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri forward DeMarre Carroll (1) surveys the court in the game against the Texas Longhorns in the second period at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, MO. The Tigers won 97-84. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2008; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri forward DeMarre Carroll (1) surveys the court in the game against the Texas Longhorns in the second period at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, MO. The Tigers won 97-84. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports / Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
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After playing 11 seasons in the NBA, DeMarre Carroll has spent the past two years as a coach for the Lakers and Bucks. The former Missouri star is now joining Kenny Atkinson's coaching staff in Cleveland ahead of the 2025 season. It's always good to have someone with the experience of Carroll on your coaching staff. You can expect to see him continue growing as a coach, and potentially finding a promotion soon enough.

The Cleveland Cavaliers coaching staff is now looking very solid ahead of the 2025 season. Other assistants on the staff include Johnnie Bryant, Jordan Ott, and Dan Geriot. They will all be working under their new head coach Kenny Atkinson.

Despite this being his first year with the Cavs, Atkinson is no stranger to coaching. He has been coaching ever since retiring in 2004, but has been around the NBA ever since his first job as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks in 2008. He recently won his first ring in the league with the Golden State Warriors in 2022. Just over a week after being hired, Atkinson brought in Carroll to help bolster the coaching staff.

DeMarre Carroll transferred to Missouri from Vanderbilt ahead of the 2006-07 season. In his first season with the Tigers, Carroll red-shirted, but this might have been when he first got a taste of coaching. In practices he helped give great post looks to guys on the team. He was a "lead by example" type of player.

When he was first able to suit up for Missouri in the 2007-08 season, he made an instant impact. Carroll scored 23 points, snagged eight rebounds, and added three assists in his first game for the Tigers. By the end of the season, Carroll was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the year by both the coaches and the media.

After his fantastic season with Missouri, Carroll headed for the NBA draft, where he was selected with the 27th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies. Carroll put together a very impressive NBA career, spending 11 seasons in the league.

It's always fun to see a Mizzou alumnus making a difference in the NBA. Whether that be as a player or coach. Carroll should complement the Cleveland Cavaliers coaching staff well, and hopefully he can get the elusive first ring soon enough.

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