BRUNSWICK — Alex Lloyd has pretty much seen it all in the basketball world. From playing Division III college basketball, to assisting at the G-League level, to working with one of the greatest coaches of all time, it’s safe to say Lloyd has experience at all levels of the game.

Now, Lloyd, 39, will get to use that experience as the man in charge for the first time in his career, after he was named the next Bowdoin College men’s basketball coach on Tuesday, the eighth in the program’s history.

“I’m incredibly humbled and excited to be taking over at such a prestigious program,” said Lloyd. “It’s been a terrific process leading up to this point and I’m grateful for the way it turned out.”

Lloyd, a Burlington, Vermont native, played basketball at Pomona College in Claremont, California. He then worked in the front office with the San Antonio Spurs before pursuing a master’s degree in education at Smith College in 2008. He also spent time with the Spurs’ G-League affiliate, the Austin Toros, and three seasons with the Atlanta Hawks from 2012-14.

“My years at Pomona were really formative for me,” Lloyd said. “I was fortunate to leave there and go to San Antonio where I gained so much invaluable experience.”

Lloyd also worked as the Director of Scouting and Player development at Texas A&M from 2014-18, before moving to a role with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2018.

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The Polar Bears have failed to make the New England Small College Athletic Conference tournament since 2018, and haven’t won a postseason game since 2015. Lloyd knows it may be a process to get the Polar Bears back to where they want to be, but likes the direction the program is trending in.

“I’m excited about where we are, we’re young and have guys who want to work hard and compete which is exciting for me as a coach,” Lloyd said. “It’s a good time to be a part of the Bowdoin program.”

Lloyd couldn’t help but mention his predecessor. 

“I feel very fortunate to be taking over after a coach like Coach (Tim) Gilbride,” said Lloyd. “The foundation and culture he formed here cannot be overstated, and the connections he made with this community are something I hope to do like he did.”

Bowdoin athletic director Tim Ryan said it came down to a few things in particular to pick Lloyd from the “large” pool of applicants. Lloyd’s all-around ability to lead a program on and off the court was a big factor in Bowdoin’s decision. 

“I think that with Alex we have someone who is passionate about supporting the entire student experience and holds great importance on developing relationships with people,” Ryan said. “He has tremendous experience with development of players and on and off the court, so that combination is really exciting for us.”

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In terms of how he’ll try and recruit players to Bowdoin, Lloyd plans to let the prestige of Bowdoin do a lot of the work for him.

“There’s no secret when it comes to recruiting, it’s hard work,” he said. “The great thing about Bowdoin is that it’s a world-class institution and the student-athletes that are looking at Bowdoin are some of the best in the country.”

Lloyd graduated from Rice Memorial High School in Burlington, where he is a member of the school’s hall of fame. He took a prep year at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Mount Hermon, Massachusetts before heading west to California. 

Though Lloyd enjoyed his time in the G-League with the Hustle, his experience at Pomona was something that he couldn’t shake from his mind.

“I always felt pulled back to the Division III college level and have always wanted to find a way back there,” said Lloyd, who was the 2005 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year. “It’s just been about finding the right fit and opportunity for me, which Bowdoin is.”

When asked how challenging it will be to go from working with NBA level talent to the type of student-athlete Bowdoin produces, Lloyd was candid with his response.

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“I don’t think it’s as big of a change as people may think,” he said. “After working with the Spurs and seeing Coach (Gregg) Popovich and how he works with his guys, the same principals at the Division III level apply to the NBA level.”

Though he may not show his emotions on the bench, Lloyd’s passion for the game shouldn’t be underestimated, as well as his knowledge on what it takes to win.

“I’d say I’m a tactical coach who is always very prepared and passionate while keeping my emotions in check,” said Lloyd. “I’m working with our guys to have an open line of communication and to stay positive as their coach while remembering the importance of empowering the players and putting them in positions to succeed.”

Lloyd will be coming back to the region where he grew up, and state where he would spend a chunk of his childhood summers.

“I’m so excited to be moving back up to New England and be closer to home, Maine holds a special place for me,” said Lloyd, who’s grandparents lived in Ellsworth when he was growing up. 

As for when that may be, Lloyd was still unsure.

“It’s sort of a moving target, but both the Grizzlies and Bowdoin have been phenomenal in helping me out through this process,” he said.

Lloyd and his wife Rachel have a 1-year-old daughter, Nalia.

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