As the school year begins, there’s been a major coaching shakeup at a top NEPSAC boys basketball contender. Raphael Chillious, after a successful second stint as the boys head coach at the South Kent School, is leaving the program to take a job with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, the school announced on Tuesday. Chillious also...
As the school year begins, there’s been a major coaching shakeup at a top NEPSAC boys basketball contender.
Raphael Chillious, after a successful second stint as the boys head coach at the South Kent School, is leaving the program to take a job with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, the school announced on Tuesday. Chillious also served as the school’s Athletic Director.
“Throughout his tenure, coach Chills has been a driving force behind the growth and success of our athletic programs, and especially our basketball program,” the school wrote in a statement on Twitter/X. “From overseeing championships to fostering a culture of excellence, sportsmanship, and brotherhood, Raphael’s dedication, passion and expertise have left an indelible mark on South Kent.”
Under Chillious, South Kent has become a prep powerhouse not only in New England but also nationally over the last two decades. Chillious’ first stint at the school came from 2003-08, when he led the Cardinals into national prominence and the national rankings before he left to take several Division 1 assistant coaching jobs at high-major programs. He returned to South Kent in 2020, and he led the Cardinals to a NEPSAC Class AAA championship in 2023.
A decision on Chillious’ successor has not been announced, but a logical replacement would be Craig Carter, who currently serves as the program’s associate head coach. Carter is a former player at Rutgers whose coaching journey has taken him to several stops, including Siena and Longwood, and assistant coaching jobs at women’s programs at Wisconsin and Florida State.
An announcement on Chillious' successor at South Kent is expected to come this week.
South Kent, after a down season in 2023-24, is expected to be a bounce-back candidate in NEPSAC Class AAA this year. The Cardinals boast two of the best players in New England, wing Badara Diakite and guard Kelvin Odih, who are both receiving high-major college interest.
Chillious will be hard to replace. His coaching career has included two stops as an assistant at the University of Washington (2009-12, 2013-17) sandwiched around one season on Jay Wright’s staff at Villanova, as he became one of the top recruiters in the country. He was the associate head coach at UConn in 2017-18, then took the same position as East Carolina before returning to South Kent. In all, Chillious has coached and developed 24 players who have played in the NBA, including Isaiah Thomas, Dion Waiters and Markelle Fultz.
