Vernon Hamilton

Vernon Hamilton (born December 28, 1984) is an American basketball coach and former player who is currently an assistant coach at North Carolina State University. He played college basketball at Clemson University where he also obtained his undergraduate and master's degrees.

Vernon Hamilton

NC State Wolfpack
Position	Assistant coach
League	Atlantic Coast Conference
Personal information
Born	(1984-12-28) December 28, 1984 (age 40) Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Nationality	American
Listed height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight	195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school	Benedictine (Richmond, Virginia)
College	Clemson (2003–2007)
NBA draft	2007: undrafted
Playing career	2007–2013
Coaching career	2014–present
Career history
Playing
2007	Darüşşafaka
2008	Liepājas Lauvas
2008	Fort Wayne Mad Ants
2009	Colorado 14ers
2009	SAM Massagno Basket
2010	MBC Mykolaiv
2010	Austin Toros
2010–2011	Dakota Wizards
2011	Tianjin Ronggang
2011–2012	Hoops Club
2012	Iowa Energy
2012–2013	ENAD
2013	Waikato Pistons
Coaching
2014-2016	Clemson (GA)
2017-2018	Dallas Mavericks (assistant)
2018-2020	Jeonju KCC Egis (assistant)
2020-2022	LSU (DPD)
2022-2023	Georgetown (DPD)
2023-2025	McNeese State (assistant)
2025-present	NC State (assistant)
Career highlights
NBA D-League champion (2009)

High school career

Hamilton was ranked the number 83 high school prospect in the country his senior season. Hamilton averaged 24 points as a senior, along with averages of 7.7 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and 3 steals per game and lead Benedictine High School to its first ever state Private school title.^[1] Hamilton was also all-state and all-conference as a defensive back and wide receiver, and received several offers to play college football.^[2]

College career

After graduating from high school Vernon Hamilton signed with the Clemson Tigers. Hamilton was a 4-year starter during his tenure with Clemson. Hamilton was an honorable mention selection for the AP All-ACC Freshman team in 2004.^[3] Hamilton was on the All-ACC Defensive team in 2006 and 2007.^[4] Hamilton was the first Clemson player since 1998 to be invited to play in the 2007 NABC All Star Game.^[5] Hamilton finished his career at Clemson as the record holder for most steals in a season (83), highest average steals per game in a season (2.68), and the Clemson career steals record (271).^[6]

College statistics

Season Averages

Season	Team	G	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%	FT%	MIN	TO
2003–04	Clemson Tigers	28	7.3	3.7	3.25	1.79	0	.385	.333	.524	26.9	3.1
2004–05	Clemson Tigers	32	6.8	2.6	2.88	2.13	.03	.425	.244	.602	25.5	2.62
2005–06	Clemson Tigers	31	12.0	3.2	3.03	2.68	.13	.447	.355	.551	30.2	2.68
2006–07	Clemson Tigers	36	12.3	3.1	3.39	1.95	.08	.468	.306	.490	31.5	2.64
Totals:		127	9.7	3.1	3.14	2.13	.06	.440	.315	.541	28.6	2.74

Professional career

NBA and NBA D-League

On September 29, 2008, Hamilton signed a contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers and played in several pre-season games earning high praise from coach Mike Brown. Brown was quoted as saying "I thought Vern Hamilton had a terrific game for us."^[7]

On September 28, 2010, Hamilton signed a contract with the Detroit Pistons. He went on to play in 5 preseason games for the Pistons.^[8]

Hamilton also had workouts with both the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards.

International

In 2013 Hamilton played 17 games for ENAD of the Cyprus Basketball Division 1 and averaged 8.5 points, 5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.

In 2010–2011 Hamilton went to play for the Tianjin Ronggang Golden Lions in the Chinese Basketball Association where he averaged 26.8 points 8.5 rebounds 4.9 assists, and 5.0 steals per game.^[9]

Coaching career

After the conclusion of his playing career, Hamilton became a Graduate Assistant coach under Brad Brownell at Clemson.^[10]

After serving under Will Wade as an assistant coach at LSU and McNeese State, Hamilton eventually followed Wade to North Carolina State in 2025.^[11]

Personal life

Hamilton is an active member of 100 Black Men of America in Atlanta, Georgia.^[12]