Alex Jensen makes first coaching hire in veteran coach Raphael Chillious

SALT LAKE CITY — Less than a week after Alex Jensen was formally introduced as the 17th head coach of the Utah men's basketball team, the former Runnin' Utes great has made his first coaching hire.

On Friday, Utah announced the hire of Raphael Chillious as an assistant on Jensen's staff.

"Raphael has an established track record in player development and recruiting that will be integral to our program," Jensen said in a statement. "We're excited to welcome him and his family to Salt Lake City and the University of Utah."

Chillious' addition brings a wealth of knowledge from the collegiate ranks, where he's helped 17 players make it to the NBA, including 10 first-round picks, while being known as a strong recruiter and developer of talent.

He comes to Utah from the Memphis Grizzlies, where he was hired on as a personnel evaluator.

"I'm truly excited for the opportunity to join Jensen's staff at the University of Utah," Chillious said in a statement. "Alex is a tremendous coach and great person/friend. We've coached together on trips to Europe over the last few years so I've gotten to know him beyond the court."

Chillious said he's been asked over the years if he'd ever go back to the collegiate ranks after spending time in the NBA, and he'd tell them he'd only do it with "someone I truly know, trust and respect at a place that has a rich basketball tradition."

He said he found that with Jensen.

"I hit the jackpot with both by joining his staff," Chillious said. "I look forward to getting to Salt Lake City, the place where we will develop high-level student-athletes who want to work hard, play tough and who aspire to play basketball well beyond college."

Chillious has served as a head coach and athletics director at boarding school South Kent (2020-24), an associated head coach at East Carolina (2018-20), an associate head coach at UConn (2017-18), in addition to coaching roles at Washington and Villanova.

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