Mike Ekanem joined the George Mason men's basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach in April 2023.
Ekanem, who has built a resume of sustained success over a decade in the Div. I coaching ranks, most recently served as an assistant coach at Sam Houston State. In 2022-23, he helped lead the Bearkats to school records for wins, road wins and the first at-large NIT berth in program history.
“I am thrilled to be here at George Mason,” Ekanem said. “I’ve known Tony for more than a decade and we’ve always talked about working together. Our visions align perfectly on what it takes to build a consistent winning program. When he called to offer me the job at George Mason, I didn’t hesitate. It was a no brainer.”
The Bearkats went a sizzling 26-8 and went 14-4 in the WAC this past season. SHSU knocked off Santa Clara to advance in the NIT and set a Division I best in regular season wins (24) and road victories (11). The team also defeated two Power 5 opponents (Oklahoma, Utah) for the first time in program history. During his time in Huntsville, Ekanem proved instrumental in recruiting the No. 1 and No. 3 highest rated prospects in program history.
“Mike has put in work under high-level coaches who demand excellence, from Eric Musselman, to Buzz Williams to Josh Pastner and Tubby Smith,” Skinn said. “He’s been successful at every level. For him to also win in the WAC with Sam Houston State, that really matters. Winning translates. We want to win and we want to take this George Mason program in a definitive direction.”
Ekanem has been featured on a series of high-profile lists and rankings within the college basketball circuit. He was named to the Silver Waves Media’s Most Notable Div. I Support Staff list in 2021 and was chosen to participate in the TopConnect Assistant Coach Forum in 2022. He also was featured in the April 2022 edition of Ballers Magazine.
Prior to his time at Sam Houston State, Ekanem served as the director of player development at Arkansas in 2021-22 under head coach Eric Musselman. He helped guide the Razorbacks to the 2022 NCAA Elite Eight, a No. 8 ranking in the final Coaches Poll and an incoming recruiting class which ranked No. 2 in the nation.
Ekanem also worked on Musselman staff at Nevada before spending two seasons as the director of scouting at Texas A&M under Buzz Williams. In 2018-19 at Nevada, Ekanem worked as the program’s multimedia specialist while helping guide the Wolfpack to a third-straight Mountain West crown.
Prior to his time at Nevada, he worked for four years at the University of Memphis as a special assistant for two seasons before serving as the video coordinator and recruiting assistant. He coordinated both video and social media for the Tigers and assisted with opponent scouting and recruiting.
Before arriving at Memphis, he worked at Louisiana Tech as an assistant women's basketball coach for the 2013-14 season where he oversaw recruiting, scheduling, camps and guard development.
Ekanem spent six seasons from 2007-13 working for Spurs Sports and Entertainment as a basketball operation assistant for the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich and as director of video and athletic performance for the San Antonio Stars of the WNBA. For both organizations, he assisted in practice and game preparation, video, skill development and strength and conditioning.
A Houston native, Ekanem graduated from Texas Lutheran with a bachelor's degree in 2005. Ekanem was an all-conference player and four-year letterwinner for the Bulldogs and played professionally overseas.
Ekanem earned a master's degree in exercise science from California University of Pennsylvania in 2008. He also holds certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and National Academy of Sports Medicine.
