Courtesy of Delaware State Athletic Media Relations


DOVER, Del., Dec. 1, 2021 -- Delaware State first-year head men's basketball coach Stan Waterman is still earning awards for his legendary high school coaching career.

Waterman, who led Sanford School in Wilmington to eight state high school championships before accepting the Delaware State job last summer, is Delaware's boys basketball recipient of the 2021 John Wooden Legacy Award presented by the National High School Basketball Coaches Association.

The NHSBCSA teams up with the Wooden Family and the Paycom Wooden Legacy Tournament to honor a boys and girls basketball coach in each state who have achieved excellence on the floor, in the classroom and the community that further embody the characteristics and legacy of  the late John Wooden, recognized as the greatest college basketball coach of all-time.

Wooden led UCLA to 10 NCAA championships in a 12-year period, including seven in row from 1967 to '73.  

The criteria for the award are rooted in the ideals of Education, Longevity, Character, Service and Excellence.

"Any award that honors the legacy of John Wooden is really significant, and I'm humbled to be recognized by the high school coaches association, along with the Wooden family and organizations," Waterman said. "As I've moved on in my career to Delaware State, the award is equally shared by my players and coaches, along with family, co-workers, staff and many supporters who assisted me along the way."      

In 30 seasons, Waterman led the Sanford School (Del.) boys basketball program to 571 wins, 10 state championship games and eight titles, including the last two in 2021 and 2019.

Waterman has also served as Sanford's Dean of Students since 1993 and is the assistant director of athletics at the school.

In 2016, after leading the Warriors to its sixth state championship, he was honored by the Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association as the recipient of the Tubby Raymond Delaware Coach of the Year Award.

Waterman also led Sanford to state titles in his inaugural campaign in 1992, 2002 and for three straight years from 2010-2012.

He has also served as a member of the USA Basketball coaching staff.

Waterman was an assistant coach for the 2020 USA Nike Hoop Summit Team (which did not compete due to the worldwide pandemic), and he was an assistant coach for the 2019 USA Nike Hoop Summit Team, which he helped to a 93-87 win over the World Select, in Portland, Ore.

He was a court coach at the 2018 USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team October Minicamp, and a gold medal winning assistant coach for the 2018 USA Men's U17 World Cup Team and the 2017 USA Men's U16 National Team.