Cyrus Tate joins the NIU men's basketball staff in 2024-25 following two seasons on staff at Southern Illinois.
A native of Chicago, Tate helped Southern Illinois to a 19-win campaign a season ago as he was elevated to Director of Player Development after serving as a graduate assistant during the 2022-23 season. Prior to his time with the Salukis, Tate spent one season as an assistant coach at Chicago Bulls College Prep School, helping lead them to a Noble League championship.
As a player, Tate began his collegiate career at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, where he earned junior college All-American honors. He then joined the University of Iowa, where he spent three seasons (2006-09), starting all three years while serving as a team captain during his senior season. Tate ranked third in rebounding in the Big Ten in 2007-08 and led the conference in field goal percentage for two consecutive seasons.
Tate went on to play professionally overseas for 10 years, playing in Japan, Israel, Turkey and Germany. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Iowa in 2009 and his master’s degree from Southern Illinois 2023.
