Wake Forest men's basketball head coach Steve Forbes announced the addition of assistant coach Demetris Nichols to the program. Nichols comes to Winston-Salem after being a part of the coaching staff within the Toronto Raptors organization.
Prior to his stint with the Raptors, he spent a year at his alma mater, Syracuse University, as a graduate assistant for the men's basketball program.
"Demetris Nichols brings a vast array of experience to our staff ranging from playing in the NBA to coaching in the NBA. He was an outstanding college player at Syracuse, leading the Big East in scoring his senior year.
"In 2007, Demetris was drafted in the second round by the Portland Trailblazers and played in the NBA for three years before finishing his career overseas playing in the EuroLeague. He was highly recommended by Nick Nurse, who coached Demetris in the G-League and hired him this past year as a Player Development Coach with the Toronto Raptors and as an assistant coach with the Raptor's 905 G-League team. He also served as the interim head coach of the 905 this past year as well.
"Everyone I spoke to in the NBA, the G-League, and at Syracuse raved about how much the players respect Coach Nichols and how dedicated he was to their development on and off the court. I am so excited to welcome Demetris, his wife Stacey, and their daughters Gabrielle and Sydney to our basketball family." - head coach Steve Forbes
A standout player for the Orange from 2003-07, Nichols scored over 1,300 points during his four-year collegiate career, along with earning multiple accolades as a senior that included:
- Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America honors
- First-team all-district by the Basketball Times, National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and United States Basketball Writers of America (USBWA)
- First-team All-Big East Conference unanimous selection
- Big East Conference Player of the Week (12/18/06)
Nichols led the Big East in scoring average (18.9) during the 2006-07 campaign, while additionally pacing Syracuse in three-point baskets (100), free-throw percentage (.850) and minutes-played average (34.8). As a junior in 2005-06, Nichols impressively posted the sixth-best scoring average improvement in Syracuse history, upping his 3.9 points per game sophomore mark to 13.3 points per game. He ranked second on the team in scoring and third in rebounding (5.8/game). Nichols finished his college days with 205 three-pointers made, ranking eighth within program history and is also tied for 35th all-time in total points.
"I am thrilled to be a part of Wake Forest University, the basketball community and the city of Winston-Salem. It's a privilege to coach under Coach Forbes' leadership and with his amazing staff. His philosophy, principles and will to win is inspiring.
"Coach Forbes and I go way back, when Syracuse lost to Texas A&M in the NCAA tournament when he was an assistant coach years ago. Over the years, we have crossed paths several times and have some mutual friends. When this opportunity came up, we reconnected and knew that our basketball philosophy aligned. Winners want to work with winners.
"I'm looking forward to supporting our basketball student-athletes on and off the court so they can win on all levels." - assistant coach Demetris Nichols
A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Nichols was drafted in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft, beginning his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and making his debut on November 28, 2007.
The 6-8 forward began the 2008-09 season with the Chicago Bulls before also spending time with the New York Knicks that same year.
Through the next near-decade, Nichols split time in the formerly-tabbed NBA D-League (currently known as the association's G-League), and overseas competition. From 2015-18, he collected championships while playing in the VTB United League, EuroLeague, Greek League and Croatian League. A two-year span also saw Nichols finish as a winner of the 2017 ABA League Supercup, 2017 Greek Cup, and 2018 Croatian Cup. He averaged 18.7 points per game, along with 5.4 rebounds, in 49 appearances for Sioux Falls Skyforce during 2012-13, en route to being named an All-NBA D-League First Team pick and all-star.
Nichols was a member of the 2002 USA Development Festival East Team that went 3-2 overall and earned the silver medal. He averaged 14.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in five games. Nichols went on to earn a tryout invitation for the 2004 USA Basketball World Championship For Young Men's Qualifying Team.
Having attended St. Andrew's High School in Barrington, Rhode Island, Nichols led his club to the New England Prep School Athletic Conference title. Averaging 18.6 points and 8.9 rebounds a game as a senior, his resume includes being named a three-time Street & Smith's Magazine Honorable Mention All-American, a 2003 third-team Parade All-American, the 2003 Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year, and the EA Sports Roundball Game All-American. Nichols was ranked 50th overall in the country among players in his class and the 14th-best small forward by ESPN.com.
In 2019, Nichols entered the broadcasting field with ACC Network Extra, covering Syracuse men's basketball games. Additionally, he acted as the color analyst for the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League on MSG Network during 2020.
