Shawn Vanzant

Shawn Vanzant joined the Eckerd College men’s basketball coaching staff in the summer of 2025 as an assistant coach. A native of Tampa, Florida, Vanzant is a graduate of Wharton High School where he had a standout prep career before advancing to NCAA Division I competition with the Butler Bulldogs. During his four-year collegiate career at Butler, he appeared in 138 games and was a regular contributor, especially in his senior season when he averaged significant minutes, posted 8.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, and shot over 40 percent from three-point range. After college, Vanzant played professionally for six years in multiple international leagues including stops in Finland, Ireland, Canada, and the NBA Development League, gaining valuable experience as a competitive player at various levels. Following his playing days, Vanzant transitioned into coaching. He began his coaching career at Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee, where he served as an assistant coach and helped the Railsplitters to a combined 62–8 record over two seasons along with NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the Final Four in 2016–17. He later spent several seasons coaching at the high school level in Florida, including four years at Bloomingdale High School and three seasons leading the program at his alma mater, Wharton High School, where he compiled a strong record and multiple playoff appearances before moving back into the college ranks at Eckerd. Vanzant brings to the Tritons a wealth of experience from both his playing and coaching careers, emphasizing player development, fundamentals, and competitive toughness.