Former LSU basketball player Ronald Dupree was announced as a student assistant Monday by LSU coach Johnny Jones.
Dupree enjoyed a 10-year pro career and will return to LSU to finish his degree requirements. Jones also worked as a student assistant during the 1984-85 season under former coach Dale Brown.
Dupree played at LSU from 1999-2003 under former coach John Brady. During his time as a player, the Tigers reached the NCAA Sweet 16 and won the conference championship in 2000.
“We are excited about Ronald Dupree’s addition to our staff as he continues to pursue his degree in electrical engineering,” Jones said. “He has shown through our camps and clinics his passion and desire to be involved in coaching, and we look forward to his participation with our basketball team serving as a student assistant coach this year.”
He led the team in scoring in 2001, averaging 17.3 points per game and was second on the team in rebounding with 8.8 boards per game.
“I am ecstatic to be able to come back, first of all, and finish my degree, and contribute to the LSU Basketball program that helped so much with my career,” Dupree said. “One part is giving back; and, the second part is starting my career as far as coaching is concerned. I am excited for our team, Coach Jones and the staff and look forward to doing what I can to help us win and move to the next level.”
Dupree, 33, played six years in the NBA for Chicago and Minnesota and three different stays in Detroit. His last stop in the NBA came in the 2010-11 with Toronto.
Since that season, Dupree has played basketball in Europe, ending his pro career last season with the Hapoel Jerusalem team in the Israeli Basketball Super League.