
Photo by: Jacob Thompson/UC Irvine Athletics
Assistant Coach Julius Smith Recognized As NXT Up Rising Star
April 08, 2026 | Men's Basketball
IRVINE, Calif. -- UC Irvine men's basketball assistant coach Julius Smith was invited to the Silver Waves Media NXT Up Rising Stars Power Lunch.
The event was held April 2 in Indianapolis, IN to recognize coaches that have distinguished themselves as rising stars in college basketball.
Smith has been on the UCI staff for the last two seasons, helping the Anteaters to a Big West regular season title in 2025-26 and a NIT Championship appearance and school record 32-7 overall mark in 2024-25.
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The event was held April 2 in Indianapolis, IN to recognize coaches that have distinguished themselves as rising stars in college basketball.
Smith has been on the UCI staff for the last two seasons, helping the Anteaters to a Big West regular season title in 2025-26 and a NIT Championship appearance and school record 32-7 overall mark in 2024-25.
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