Shelton State's Eatmon Named Assistant For U.S. Team At World University Games In China

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Shelton State Community College's Joe Eatmon may be on to new things at the college after stepping down from his role as men's basketball coach for the Buccaneers, but he isn't totally finished coaching.

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Eatmon will be one of the four assistant coaches, all from the junior college ranks, for a men's basketball team comprised of two-year college basketball players that will represent the United States at the 31st Summer World University Games in Chengdu, China.

The World University Games are held every two years, with the 2021 Chengdu games rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States has competed in the games since 1965 and will participate in 18 sports this year, including men's and women's basketball.

The United States International University Sports Federation (USIUSF) selected the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) to field the United States team this year to replace the team from Baylor University, which is unable to participate. The announcement of the coaching staff and changes came on Monday.

The NJCAA says this is the first time it has been selected by the USIUSF board to represent the United States in the World University Games, which will take place from June 26 to July 7, 2022.

The NJCAA men's basketball team will be led by head coach Steve Green, who is the head men's basketball coach at South Plains College.

The University of Louisville women's basketball team will continue to represent the United States in this year's women's basketball games.

In addition to Eatmon, assistant coaches from other NJCAA programs include Drew Kelly, Harcum (PA); Hank Plona, Indian Hills (Iowa) and Kyle Taylor, Salt Lake (Utah).

The NJCAA says 12 student-athletes from current and past NJCAA men's basketball teams will be selected by the coaches.

As Patch previously reported, Eatmon stepped down from his role as the men's basketball coach at Shelton State Community College and began his new job as the school's Dean of Community Relations on May 1.

A replacement for Eatmon has not been announced as of the publication of this story.

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