Keith Pickens has joined the Southeast Missouri men's basketball program as an assistant coach, after spending the last two years in the same capacity at Missouri State.
A native of St. Louis, Pickens began his coaching career as a full-time assistant with the Bears in June 2016. Prior to that, he was a standout basketball player at Missouri State from 2009-14. As a student-athlete, Pickens was part of the 2010 CIT championship team as a freshman. As a senior, he helped lead MSU to its first 20-win campaign and postseason appearance in three years. He finished his career ranked 10th all time in blocked shot at Missouri State.
Pickens received high praise from coaching colleagues, including Mizzou head coach Cuonzo Martin and former Missouri State head coach Paul Lusk. Martin called him, “a rising star and one of the brightest young coaches in our profession.”
Redhawks head coach Rick Ray said that Coach Pickens has a great rapport with players on his team and has a real presence on the court, and his connections in St. Louis will help with recruiting efforts in that area.
Pickens said he is extremely excited about the direction of the men’s basketball program and university. He and his wife, Nita, are the proud parents of four children. Nita was a standout player at the University of Louisville from 2010-14 and was the 35thoverall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2014 WNBA Draft.
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