One of the Horned Frogs' best is staying in touch with his alma mater.
TCU Horned Frogs alum and NBA star Desmond Bane is staying plugged in with his college roots in Fort Worth.
As announced on Monday by head coach Jamie Dixon, the Frogs' men's basketball program is naming Bane its Chief Basketball Officer, where he will "volunteer his time as special advisor to Dixon and the Horned Frogs program, bringing high-level insight and professional basketball experience to player development, leadership and life as an elite athlete."
Additionally, Bane will "be a mentor to student-athletes, offer guidance on career management, and serve as a liaison to the NBA."
"I am excited and honored for the opportunity to serve as TCU's Chief Basketball Officer," Bane said. "My time as a student-athlete at TCU was truly special, and it is a privilege to now continue my connection with the program in this new role. I am grateful to Coach Dixon for the opportunity to build a closer relationship with the program and make a meaningful impact on the lives and development of our student-athletes. I look forward to helping build upon the success and culture that Coach Dixon has established within TCU Basketball."
With the Horned Frogs from 2016-2020, Bane was a two-time All-Big 12 selection and ranked inside the top 10 in the conference in points, rebounds and assists per game as a senior.
He was chosen with the last pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. Days later, Bane was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team deal that included Enes Kanter and Mario Hezonja.
Bane made the All-Rookie team in his debut season and spent five strong seasons with the Grizz, including averaging a career-high 23.7 points a night in 2023-24. As one of the best young sharpshooters in the league, the Orlando Magic spent its entire draft haul on Bane's talents by trading four future first-round draft picks to Memphis in exchange for the TCU ex.
This jump back to the college world as an advisor is not an uncommon one. Stephen Curry has reconnected with alma mater Davidson, serving as the program's Assistant General Manager. Trae Young has joined Oklahoma's support staff in a similar manner, along with Damian Lillard (Weber State) and Shaquille O'Neal (Sacramento State) being given General Manager titles across the college basketball world.
Just last week, ESPN analyst and former NBA veteran Kendrick Perkins announced that he's agreed to a GM role with Jackson State.
"We are thrilled to welcome Desmond Bane as our Chief Basketball Officer," said Dixon, whose first season at TCU was Bane's freshman year over 10 years ago. "As a TCU graduate and six-year NBA professional, Desmond brings a unique combination of experience, perspective, and passion for the Horned Frog basketball program, making him an outstanding fit for this role.
"Desmond will serve as an invaluable resource for our players and staff, sharing insight on player development, analytics and the evolving trends of the game through the lens of his NBA experience. His ability to connect with our student-athletes, provide mentorship and help guide their growth on and off the court will be a tremendous asset to our program."
