Tyler Amaya Joins Slam Coaching Staff
April 1, 2013 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Bellingham Slam fan favorite Tyler Amaya is back with the squad, albeit in a different capacity, as he has joined the team's coaching staff as an assistant coach for the 2013 International Basketball League season.
Amaya has been a fixture in the region's basketball community for over a decade, having led Mount Vernon High School to a 3A state championship in 2001 and Western Washington University to consecutive NCAA-II West Regional Tournament appearances in 2005 and 2006, with stints at Gonzaga and Dixie State College in between.
Amaya first joined the Slam midway into the 2008 season, and helped spark a run of 12 straight wins that ultimately saw the team capture their first of two IBL Championships.
Ultimately, Amaya played parts of four seasons with the Slam, intertwined with various opportunities to play professionally overseas.
His professional career spanned five continents and included stops in Germany, Tunisia, Syria, China and New Zealand. Most recently, he played for two teams in Saudi Arabia during the 2011-12 season.
Amaya will serve as head coach Rob Ridnour's top assistant coach, filling a role that had been held by Mike Elsner since the 2008 season. Elsner stepped down from his position following the 2012 season in order to spend more time with his family. Amaya's new position with the Slam will be his first foray into coaching at the professional ranks.
The Slam will open training camp shortly in advance of the team's home opener on April 19, when they host the Vancouver Volcanoes. A 7 p.m. tip-off is scheduled for Whatcom Pavilion.
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International Basketball League Stories from April 1, 2013
- Tyler Amaya Joins Slam Coaching Staff - Bellingham Slam
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