Danya Abrams Named Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
Former three-time All-Big East standout joins head coach Tom Devitt's staff
BOSTON, Mass. – Former Boston College standout Danya Abrams has joined the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's basketball program as an assistant coach, as announced by head coach Tom Devitt Thursday afternoon.
"We are thrilled to have one of the top players in the history of the Big East join our program," said Devitt. "The quality of character and vast experience Danya brings to Wentworth is immeasurable, and our student-athletes will benefit tremendously from his positive approach."
Abrams was a three-time All-Big East and All-National Association of Basketball Coaches District I All-America selection and is one of just six players in the conference's illustrious history to have scored over 2,000 points and grab over 1,000 rebounds, finishing his career with 2,053 points and 1,029 caroms. He is presently seventh on the Eagles' all-time scoring list and third on the all-time rebounding list, while ranking second in free throws made (698) and ninth in field goals made (671).
He broke onto the collegiate scene during the 1993-94 season by averaging 10.4 points and helped Boston College to an appearance in the Elite Eight with wins over perennial powers North Carolina and Indiana. That season he set a Conte Forum record with a 20-rebound performance against Providence and would earn All-Big East Rookie honors. He followed that up a season later by averaging a career-best 22.1 points, which is the ninth highest single-season scoring average in program history.
As a senior, Abrams helped the Eagles to both the Big East Regular Season and Tournament Championships with his play on both ends of the floor. That season he averaged 16.4 points and scored his 2000th career point in his 118th collegiate game, a win over Pittsburgh in the Big East Tournament.
In 122 collegiate contests he scored in double figures 101 times, including recording six 30-point contests. He was inducted into the Boston College Hall of Fame in 2010.
Upon graduating from The Heights with a Bachelor's degree in sociology in 1997, Abrams spent 12 season playing professionally in both Greece (three seasons) and Spain (nine seasons) where he averaged over 14 points and six rebounds per game during his career.
"I am very happy to be given this opportunity," said Abrams. "Coach Devitt is a great coach and Wentworth has a fine reputation as an institution."
Abrams and Devitt are no stranger to each other, as Devitt was an assistant coach on Jim O'Brien's BC staff during Abrams' career.
A native of Greenburgh, N.Y., Abrams resides in Avon, Mass., with his wife Deanna, and their children Tatyana, Danya, Jr., and Christian.
"He is simply one of the most humble and special human beings I have ever met," added Devitt. "He will be an asset to our program."
Wentworth finished the 2010-11 season with an 18-11 record and advanced to the championship game of The Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament for the second time in five seasons. The Leopards, who open the 2011-12 season against Wheelock on November 15, also earned their second consecutive ECAC Tournament berth.