Blake Saunders is in his first season as an assistant coach with the men's basketball program.
Saunders comes to Davenport after a standout playing career and assistant coaching stint at Ashland University. He is a 2011 Ashland graduate who played basketball for the Eagles and was a team captain his senior season and he was a member of the GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team.
After leaving AU, Saunders went to Michigan State, where he was a graduate assistant with the men's basketball program. Saunders was with the Spartans in 2012 when they won Big Ten regular season and tournament titles. In 2012 and 2013 the Spartans made consecutive Sweet 16 appearances.
Saunders helped with recruiting, conducted individual workouts and assisted in planning and directing on-floor drills. He worked at the program's summer camps and was also a camp instructor at Northwestern, Villanova and Ashland.
Saunders earned his master's degree in kinesiology.
Saunders prepped at Hinsdale (Ill.) High School where he was a first team all-conference and all-region selection in 2006 and 2007. He was named the Suburban player of the year in 2007. Saunders was a team captain in 2006 and 2007 and both years, Hinsdale won regional championships.
