Former Mizzou star Phil Pressey joins Tigers coaching staff as a graduate assistant

Former Missouri men's basketball standout Phil Pressey will return to MU as a graduate assistant on Dennis Gates’ coaching staff for the 2022-23 season.

Pressley announced the news in a video on social media Friday. The move was later announced by the program.

Pressey had been playing professional basketball in Europe in recent years. He announced his retirement as a player on Friday as well. 

"I’m ecstatic,” Pressey said in a video announcing the move. “I cannot wait. I love the game of basketball and the game has given me so much and I think it’s my turn to give back.” 

Gates, entering his first season as Missouri’s head coach, expressed his excitement about Pressey’s return to the program, teasing the announcement with one of his “bat signal” posts on Twitter. Gates followed up Pressey’s news with another post. 

"I am excited to open this door,” Gates said. “Transitioning from an outstanding career – to the sidelines where he can share his knowledge.” 

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Pressey joined the Tigers as a freshman under coach Mike Anderson in 2010 after playing his high school basketball in Dallas. After a three-year career in Columbia, he left as Missouri’s all-time leader in assists with 580 and tied for the all-time lead in steals with 196. 

He was named an honorable mention All-American by The Associated Press after his junior season in 2013, finishing the year with 7.1 assists per game. He decided to forgo his senior season and instead entered the NBA Draft. 

After going undrafted, he signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics, where he remained until 2015. He later spent time with the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors among others. 

Pressey then took his talents overseas, beginning with FC Barcelona in 2017. He most recently played with EWE Baskets Oldenberg in the Basketball Bundesliga in Germany. 

“There’s a lot of kids that are going through this journey of basketball,” Pressey said. “I want to let them know that they can do it.” 

Matt Stahl is the Missouri athletics beat reporter for the Columbia Daily Tribune. Follow him on Twitter @mattstahl97.