Vanderbilt men’s basketball head coach Mark Byington has appointed Rick Ray and Xavier Joyner as assistant coaches. Ray, with nearly 30 years of coaching experience, joins from Colorado with success in NCAA Tournaments and NIT appearances. Joyner, previously on Byington’s James Madison staff, contributed to program records and NCAA Tournament wins. Ray's background includes head coaching roles at Southeast Missouri and Mississippi State, with significant success in recruiting and college tournaments. Joyner brings diverse coaching experience from collegiate, high school, and AAU levels, with notable achievements in player development and team success.

• Ray helped Colorado to multiple NCAA and NIT appearances and a 13th-ranked recruiting class in 2021.
• Joyner contributed to JMU's program record 32 wins in 2023-24 and a Sun Belt Conference championship.

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• Rick Ray and Xavier Joyner have been newly appointed as assistant coaches to the Vanderbilt men’s basketball program.
• Ray brings extensive coaching experience from his time at Colorado and in head coaching roles at Southeast Missouri and Mississippi State.
• Joyner's coaching background spans collegiate, high school, and AAU levels, showcasing a track record of success in player development and team achievements.

Expect Ray and Joyner to play crucial roles in enhancing Vanderbilt's basketball program performance, with a focus on player development, recruiting, and overall team success under Coach Byington's leadership.

The addition of Rick Ray and Xavier Joyner as assistant coaches brings a wealth of coaching experience and success to the Vanderbilt basketball staff, signaling a strong emphasis on elevating player development, recruitment efforts, and team achievements moving forward.