Damon Stoudamire leaving Arizona to join Memphis coaching staff

Arizona assistant coach Damon Stoudamire is leaving the Wildcats to take a job on Josh Pastner's staff at Memphis.

The school announced the move Monday and head coach Sean Miller released a statement thanking Stoudamire for his contributions to the program.

"Damon did an outstanding job in his two seasons with us," Miller said. "He gave our players confidence, was an excellent teacher and recruited successfully, which has positioned us well for our future."

Stoudamire was an assistant at Memphis for two seasons before joining his alma mater in 2013.

"We wish Damon and his family great success in his return to Memphis," Miller added. "He will always be a part of our Arizona basketball family as both a player and a coach."

The former NBA guard played three seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies and cited proximity to his family as a reason for the move, in addition to joining a coaching staff he is familiar with.

“It is with mixed emotions that I’ll be returning to the University of Memphis to be Josh Pastner’s lead assistant,” Stoudamire said in a statement. “It is bittersweet, as Arizona has and always will have a special place in my heart. Sean Miller, the rest of the staff and the great group of players mean a great deal to me."