Sundance Wicks became the fifth head men's basketball coach at Missouri Western in March of 2018.
Wicks came to MWSU from his alma mater, Northern State University, where he was associate head coach during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. In 2017-18, Wicks helped lead Northern State to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season and postseason championships this year. Northern State also claimed the central region championship en route to the program's first-ever appearance in the national championship game.
Wicks brings extensive experience to MWSU as an assistant coach at the Division II and Division I levels. After lettering four years as a student-athlete at Northern State from 1999-2003, Wicks held assistant coaching positions at Northern State, Colorado (2006-07), Northern Illinois (2007-11) and San Francisco (2015-16). Wicks also built the Arizona Power Basketball Academy, serving as a skill instructor and director from 2011-15. Prior to launching the APBA, he spent five months training NBA pre-draft prospects at the Impact Basketball Academy in Las Vegas. Wicks' draft class trainees included Kawhi Leonard, Alec Burks and Isaiah Thomas.
Wicks began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Northern State under the legendary Don Meyer. As a student-athlete, Wicks was twice named first team All-NSIC, scoring 1,174 points and pulling down 665 rebounds in his career. He was also a two-time All-NSIC performer in the 400-meter hurdles at Northern State. After graduation, Wicks played for the Sodertalje Kings in Sweden. He led the team in points and rebounding.
Wicks received a bachelor's degree in international business from Northern State in 2003 and a master's degree in health, physical education and coaching from Northern State in 2006.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SUNDANCE WICKS
"Coach Wicks is a tireless worker that will bring a contagious energy to everyone around him. He will create a winning culture at Missouri Western that people will be proud of. He's a total package coach that will be impactful not only on the court, but in the community." – Paul Sather, head coach, Northern State University
"I have witnessed, first hand, the passion that Sundance has for teaching the game of basketball. His knowledge of the game and ability to connect with young people is second to none. The basketball program at Missouri Western is in great hands!" – Greg McDermott, head coach, Creighton University
"Missouri Western just got some serious juice! I've been around some of the greatest basketball people on this earth and no one will bring more energy, passion, work ethic and true team building than Sundance Wicks. Every day I was around him, I got better. Every day my family, players and staff were around him, they got better. Missouri Western just got better today and will continue to do so each day Sundance is leading, guiding, mentoring and coaching your young men. You got a great man and great coach to lead your program." – Rex Walters, assistant coach, Detroit Pistons
Year-By-Year Career Record:
2018-19: 12-18, 6-13 MIAA
2019-20: 18-14, 13-6 MIAA MIAA Tournament
Overall: 30-32, 19-19 MIAA
All-MIAA Honorees: 6
