Swanson changes direction, leaves NIC women's basketball coaching job to become assistant with Evansville men

One month after being named North Idaho College women's basketball coach, George Swanson has accepted an assistant men's basketball coaching position with the University of Evansville, an NCAA Division I school in Evansville, Ind.

"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to come to University of Evansville and work with this staff and players, who are so focused on winning at the highest level," Swanson said in an Evansville news release. "I look forward to being part of a team in one of best men's basketball conferences."

Before being named NIC women's basketball coach, Swanson spent the past eight seasons as an assistant men's basketball coach at NIC.

"I have known George for over 15 years. With my staff, I wanted to surround myself with guys that I know and trust who are high in character and work hard. 'G' is a tireless recruiter and proven winner," first-year Evansville coach David Ragland said. "He has been a part of numerous championship teams and helped move along countless players to the 4-year level. George has been committed to graduating his student athletes and will be instrumental in molding our players academically, socially and athletically. I'm excited to welcome 'G' and his family to Evansville."

Gonzaga adds Chattanooga transfer guard Smith

SPOKANE — A pretty good week in Zagland got even better Thursday.

Malachi Smith, a transfer from Chattanooga, signed a financial aid agreement to attend Gonzaga University and will join the men's basketball team for the 2022-23 season.

Smith, a 6-4 205-pound guard, will be a junior for the Zags in 2022-23. He was ranked sixth in ESPN’s list of top transfers.

“Malachi is going to be a great addition to our program,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said in a GU news release. “He does a lot of really good things on the floor, but his experience and leadership will also be huge.”

Smith was the Southern Conference Player of the Year and was named the Lou Henson National Player of the Year. He averaged 19.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals last season. Smith had 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the Southern Conference championship win over Furman and was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.

Smith, a Belleville, Ill., native, averaged 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds as a freshman at Wright State. After sitting out one season under NCAA transfer rules, he was first-team All-SoCon while averaging 16.8 points and 8.8 boards in 2020-21.

Smith joins a Bulldog squad that saw three of its five players that declared for the NBA draft — forward Drew Timme and guards Rasir Bolton and Julian Strawther — opt to pull out of the draft and return to GU.

Smith joins center Efton Reid, who played as a freshman at LSU, as transfers into the Zags' program for next season.