University of Michigan women’s basketball head coach Kim Barnes Arico announced Friday (May 28) the elevation of Harry Rafferty, who spent the last two seasons on staff as a member of the support staff, to an assistant coach for the program. Rafferty assisted in nearly every aspect of the program over the last two seasons, helping U-M to unprecedented success.
“From my initial interaction with Harry, I have been impressed by his work ethic, passion, drive and pursuit of excellence,” Barnes Arico said. “Throughout my career, I have always felt that it was important to give opportunities to rising stars in the business, many of who have now gone on to be head coaches. Harry’s characteristics are very similar to those individuals. I see him having an incredible future in this game and making an immediate impact on our program. Harry’s transition into his new role will be seamless after spending the last two seasons as our graduate manager.”
“It has been a dream come true these past two years to work at the greatest University in the world, and I’m thankful to be staying in Ann Arbor longer,” Rafferty said. “Coach Arico is one of the most competitive and driven people I have ever met, and she has a remarkable vision for what this program can be. I feel incredibly fortunate for the opportunity to assist her and continue to build Michigan women’s basketball into the program that this amazing community deserves.”
While pursuing his master’s degree in Sport Management at Michigan, Rafferty was an integral member of the support staff for the Wolverines. During his time on staff, Michigan made its first-ever NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2020-21, following a 21-win campaign in the shortened 2019-20 season.
Rafferty helped create and execute individualized player development plans for the student-athletes in the program over the last two seasons, also while directing and managing the practice squad. He implemented opposing teams’ schemes and tendencies to help prepare Michigan for its opponents.
He assisted with the execution of film for practice and games, both of Michigan and its opponents. Rafferty also helped manage the recruiting database and assisted in the operations of travel. He assisted in the coordination of recruiting visits and served as a director of summer camps.
Rafferty joined the Wolverines as a graduate manager after playing with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the NBA G-League affiliate of the Miami Heat. He averaged 19 minutes per game as a reserve during his stint with the Skyforce in 2019.
While pursuing his professional playing career, Rafferty held many jobs in the Ann Arbor area. He coached U-M’s Chinese Club basketball team, coached at Central Academy and served as a personal trainer from September 2017 until being called up to the Skyforce in February 2019.
Rafferty served as a player development coach for Integrity Hoops in both Exeter, N.H., and Los Angeles, Calif., from 2010-17. He has executed personal one-on-one coaching sessions with numerous professional players, including U-M greats Moritz Wagner and Duncan Robinson, as well as assisting Noah LaRoche (founder/owner of Integrity Hoops) in the development of players such as Russell Westbrook, Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart, among others.
He graduated from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., in 2017 with a degree in American studies and a concentration in African-American History. Rafferty was a four-year starting guard for Wesleyan, ending his career with 1,129 career points and graduating as the career leader in three-point field goals made (194). He helped lead the team to the 2014-15 NESCAC championship, the first in school history, and two appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament. A three-time member of the NESCAC All-Academic Team, he was the Wesleyan Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete of the Year in 2015 and 2016.
Rafferty graduated from Berwick Academy (Maine) in 2012 before gathering a postgraduate degree from Phillips Exeter Academy (N.H.) in 2013. He played AAU basketball with the prestigious Middlesex Magic program out of Boston, Mass., as well as Maine Basketball Nation out of Saco, Maine, during his prep years.
https://mgoblue.com/news/2021/5/28/womens-basketball-rafferty-elevated-to-assistant-coach.aspx
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