Former NBA player Robert Covington has returned to Tennessee State basketball.
Tigers second-year coach Nolan Smith announced on Sept. 8 that he has hired Covington, who played at TSU from 2009 to 2013, as chief basketball officer.
Covington, who is in the TSU Athletic Hall of Fame, appeared in 614 NBA games from 2013 to 2024. The native of Bellwood, Illinois, played for the Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers.
"I bleed TSU, and I always have," Covington said. "This is another milestone I'm incredibly grateful for. I'm beyond blessed to now be part of this program full
time, and I'm truly excited about what we are building together. This is bigger than basketball. This is about TSU, our people and our program, and building something special that lasts. The best is yet to come."
Covington's role, Smith said, will center on player relations, community and campus engagement, and team activities. He will support players' professional, social and personal development while serving as a liaison between the program, players and their families.
"Rob Covington is a major pillar in TSU basketball history and HBCU basketball history," Smith said. "It is an absolute honor to bring him back to this program. He will wear many hats and will be an important part of where we are going. Rob has become family during my first year in Nashville, and I am beyond excited to continue building with someone who gave his blood, sweat and tears to TSU basketball."
Covington also will work with basketball operations and TSU's athletics' external relations staff to develop and maintain strategic partnerships.
Covington made 112 starts at TSU, averaging 14.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks. He shot 47.6% from the field and 42.2% from 3-point range for his career.
He was a three-time All-OVC selection and was the CollegeInsider.com OVC co-MVP in 2011-12. He was also a two-time BOXTOROW HBCU All-American.
After going undrafted in 2013, Covington signed with the Rockets and began his professional career with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the then-NBA Developmental League. He went on to play in the NBA, where he averaged 10.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.5 steals for his career.
Covington was named to the NBA All-Defensive first team in 2018.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Former NBA player Robert Covington joins Tennessee State basketball staff
