Updated 10/31/18
This is Demetrius Poles’ third season as an assistant coach for the Rowan University women's basketball team. He was also a men’s assistant coach for four years.
He returned to the University after an international professional coaching and playing career. Poles was the head coach for Brahe Basket in Sweden from 2009-2013. In 2012-13, the team had a 19-1 record, was first in the South Division and finished second in the Swedish finals. He coached Kvarnby Basket from 2003-2008. The team came in second in the South Division in 2005-2006 and had a 16-4 record.
From 2008-2009, he was the head coach for Nassjo Basket. His 18-2 squad took first in the South Division and was second in the Sweden finals. Poles coached the Swedish National Team (Boys U18) from 2012-2013. He was selected the 2012-13 Eurobasket.com Coach of the Year.
In addition, Poles coached at the Reebok/Adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy from 2004-12. In that span, he instructed 55 players who participated in the 2012 London Summer Olympics and 32 players who went on to play in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics.
His playing career included stints in Lebanon, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Poland, Qatar, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Russia, Syria, Jordan and Argentina.
Poles was the starting center on Rowan’s 1996 National Championship Team. He led the team in rebounds with a 6.7 average and contributed with 5.7 points per game. He also played basketball at St. Joseph’s University and was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Freshmen first team.
