Tom Garrick
Assistant Coach

Birthdate: July 7, 1966
Hometown: West Warrick, R.I.
Education: B.S., Rhode Island, 1989
Coaching: Assistant Coach, Rhode Island, 1998-present

One of the greatest players in the storied history of Rhode Island basketball, Tom Garrick is in his third season as an assistant coach at his alma mater. The lone holdover from Coach Jerry DeGregorio's 1999-00 staff, Garrick has toiled in a variety of areas at his alma mater, including recruiting, personal instruction, game coaching, outreach programs and overseeing the program's academic support system.

Sports Illustrated named the personable Garrick the 39th best athlete in state history in its millennium issue's list of the top athletes. The Providence Journal recognized him in its listing of the state's greatest athletes.

The native of West Warwick, R.I. played for the Rams from 1984-88 under coaches Brendan Malone and Tom Penders. A four-year letterman, he teamed with backcourt mate Carlton "Silk" Owens to form one of the nation's top guard duos. Garrick finished his career as Rhode Island's 15th all-time leading scorer, with 1,573 points. He finished second in career steals (189) and fourth in career assists (407).

The highlight of his career came on March 7, 1988. After the Rhode Island faithful felt Garrick was slighted by being named to the conference's second-team, he tied the school record with a 50-point outburst against Rutgers in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic 10 tournament. He was named Most Valuable Player of the Tournament and helped lead the Rams to a 28-7 record and a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16.

Although the Rams posted a modest 65-56 record during Garrick's playing days, Rhode Island's record improved every year he was with the team. After an 8-20 record in 1984-85, the Rams were 8-19 during Garrick's sophomore season. As a junior, Rhode Island posted a 20-10 record and earned a berth in the NIT before posting the best record in school history, 28-7, in 1987-88 when the Rams advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16.

One of the most popular players in school annals, Garrick played in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks. He also played in the CBA with the Rapid City Thrillers and in Europe in Luverkruse, Germany, Seville, Spain and Istanbul, Turkey before retiring after the 1998 season.

In October 1998, Garrick was inducted into the University's Athletic Hall of Fame, fittingly with his former backcourt mate Owens.