PHILADELPHIA – Saint Joseph's Head Coach Billy Lange has announced that Phillip Lawrence-Ricks has been elevated to player development coach.

"We are excited to announce the hiring of Phil Lawrence-Ricks as player development coach," said Lange. "Phil has proven to be a valuable member of our staff. He is relational, diligent, willing, and studious. His servant attitude and energy has elevated our team and staff. He is a terrific communicator and his passion for the game is evident, and he has a real eye for how to simplify the game, and at the same time, creates teaching environments that stimulate development."

As player development coach, Lawrence-Ricks will be responsible for designing, implementing, and coaching on-court skill development programs, and creating advanced drills and scouting reports via video analysis for individual student-athletes Additionally, Lawrence-Ricks will assist in daily operations of the program including travel arrangements and academic monitoring.

Spending the past two seasons as a graduate manager with the Hawks, Lawrence-Ricks earned a master's degree in organization development and leadership from Saint Joseph's this past May.

A 2016 graduate of Marist, Lawrence-Ricks was a four-year member of the men's basketball program, appearing in 100 games in a Red Foxes jersey. Following graduation, Lawrence-Ricks embarked on his professional playing career, competing for Moycullen Basketball Club of the Irish Super League in 2016-17 and F.C. Barreirense in Portugal's top league, Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol in 2017-18. In the summer of 2018, Lawrence Ricks ranked second on St. Vincent and the Grenadines in scoring, rebounding and assists at the Americup Caribbean Pre-Qualifier tournament, and competed for Obila Basketball Club in the Liga Española de Baloncesto later that year.