Vernon Hamilton

Last updated
Vernon Hamilton
NC State Wolfpack
PositionAssistant coach
League Atlantic Coast Conference
Personal information
Born (1984-12-28) December 28, 1984 (age 40)
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school Benedictine (Richmond, Virginia)
College Clemson (2003–2007)
NBA draft 2007: undrafted
Playing career2007–2013
Coaching career2014–present
Career history
Playing
2007 Darüşşafaka
2008 Liepājas Lauvas
2008 Fort Wayne Mad Ants
2009 Colorado 14ers
2009 SAM Massagno Basket
2010 MBC Mykolaiv
2010 Austin Toros
2010–2011 Dakota Wizards
2011 Tianjin Ronggang
2011–2012 Hoops Club
2012 Iowa Energy
2012–2013 ENAD
2013 Waikato Pistons
Coaching
2014-2016Clemson (GA)
2017-2018 Dallas Mavericks (assistant)
2018-2020 Jeonju KCC Egis (assistant)
2020-2022 LSU (DPD)
2022-2023 Georgetown (DPD)
2023-2025 McNeese State (assistant)
2025-present NC State (assistant)
Career highlights

Vernon Hamilton (born December 28, 1984) is an American basketball coach and former player who is currently an assistant coach at North Carolina State University. He played college basketball at Clemson University where he also obtained his undergraduate and master's degrees.

Contents

High school career

Hamilton was ranked the number 83 high school prospect in the country his senior season. Hamilton averaged 24 points as a senior, along with averages of 7.7 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and 3 steals per game and lead Benedictine High School to its first ever state Private school title. [1] Hamilton was also all-state and all-conference as a defensive back and wide receiver, and received several offers to play college football. [2]

College career

After graduating from high school Vernon Hamilton signed with the Clemson Tigers. Hamilton was a 4-year starter during his tenure with Clemson. Hamilton was an honorable mention selection for the AP All-ACC Freshman team in 2004. [3] Hamilton was on the All-ACC Defensive team in 2006 and 2007. [4] Hamilton was the first Clemson player since 1998 to be invited to play in the 2007 NABC All Star Game. [5] Hamilton finished his career at Clemson as the record holder for most steals in a season (83), highest average steals per game in a season (2.68), and the Clemson career steals record (271). [6]

College statistics

Season Averages
SeasonTeamGPTSREBASTSTLBLKFG%3P%FT%MINTO
2003–04 Clemson Tigers 287.33.73.251.790.385.333.52426.93.1
2004–05 Clemson Tigers 326.82.62.882.13.03.425.244.60225.52.62
2005–06 Clemson Tigers 3112.03.23.032.68.13.447.355.55130.22.68
2006–07 Clemson Tigers 3612.33.13.391.95.08.468.306.49031.52.64
Totals:1279.73.13.142.13.06.440.315.54128.62.74

Professional career

NBA and NBA D-League

On September 29, 2008, Hamilton signed a contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers and played in several pre-season games earning high praise from coach Mike Brown. Brown was quoted as saying "I thought Vern Hamilton had a terrific game for us." [7]

On September 28, 2010, Hamilton signed a contract with the Detroit Pistons. He went on to play in 5 preseason games for the Pistons. [8]

Hamilton also had workouts with both the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards.

International

In 2013 Hamilton played 17 games for ENAD of the Cyprus Basketball Division 1 and averaged 8.5 points, 5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.

In 2010–2011 Hamilton went to play for the Tianjin Ronggang Golden Lions in the Chinese Basketball Association where he averaged 26.8 points 8.5 rebounds 4.9 assists, and 5.0 steals per game. [9]

Coaching career

After the conclusion of his playing career, Hamilton became a Graduate Assistant coach under Brad Brownell at Clemson. [10]

After serving under Will Wade as an assistant coach at LSU and McNeese State, Hamilton eventually followed Wade to North Carolina State in 2025. [11]

Personal life

Hamilton is an active member of 100 Black Men of America in Atlanta, Georgia. [12]

References

  1. Ingram, Tyreese (5 March 2003). "Vernon Hamilton: The Next Ed Scott?". TigerNet.com. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  2. "Vernon Hamilton – Final Bio" (PDF). netitor.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  3. "AP All-ACC Men's Basketball Squads". WakeForestSports.com. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  4. "Official Website of Vernon Hamiton" . Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  5. "Hamilton to Play in NABC All-Star Game Friday" . Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  6. "Vernon Hamilton – Final Bio" (PDF). netitor.com. Archived from the original on April 29, 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  7. Krupa, Charles (11 October 2008). "Backups play hard, but sloppily, in Cavaliers' preseason loss to Celtics". Associated Press. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  8. "Vernon Hamilton". Real GM Basketball. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  9. Pastuszek, Jon. "Vernon Hamilton Interview". NIU BBall. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  10. "Clemson Tigers | Clemson University Athletics".
  11. Smith, R. Cory (April 2, 2025). "NC State Men's Basketball Officially Adds Vernon Hamilton as Assistant Coach". 247sports.com . Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  12. "In The Community". Official Site of Vernon Hamilton. Retrieved 24 April 2014.