Men's Basketball
Aerick Sanders
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- arsfcz@umkc.edu
Aerick Sanders joined the Kansas City Roos Men's Basketball staff as an assistant coach in June of 2022, reuniting with Coach Menzies for the third time. The pair previously worked together at both New Mexico State and UNLV.
In 2022-23, Kansas City was consistently ranked as one of the best defensive teams in the Summit, leading the league in rebounds per game and scoring defense. At the end of the season, Shemarri Allen and RayQuawndis Mitchell were both named Second Team All-Summit League. Allen was also named to the All-Defensive Team while Mitchell earned a spot on the All-Newcomer squad.
Sanders brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the game to the table. A former All-Mountain West honoree, he spent six years playing professionally overseas before returning stateside to join the coaching ranks.
"Aerick was our first-ever signee at San Diego State, hence we have a long-standing relationship," Menzies said. "He has been a winner, both as a player and a coach. I'm excited to have him back with me as we build Kansas City Men's Basketball."
In 2021-22, Sanders was an assistant coach at Southern Utah under Head Coach Todd Simon. In his season with the Thunderbirds, they finished with a 23-12 record, the second-most wins in program history. Finishing second in the Big Sky standings, the Thunderbirds made a postseason run to the semifinals of The Basketball Classic. In addition, three players were named to All-Big Sky teams.
Across the 2017-19 seasons, Sanders was the Director of Player Personnel under Coach Menzies at UNLV. The Runnin' Rebels moved up in the Mountain West standings both years while Sanders was on the sidelines, finishing seventh in 2017-18 and fourth in 2018-19. In his first season, UNLV won 20 games for the first time in four seasons, and Brandon McCoy was named Mountain West Freshman of the Year.
For four years prior to his UNLV stint, Sanders was on the New Mexico State sidelines, making three NCAA Tournament appearances and an NIT showing. For the first three years, he coached alongside Menzies, and in his final year he was an assistant to Coach Paul Weir.
Across his four years with the Aggies, they posted a 100-38 record, including a 49-9 mark in Western Athletic Conference play.
Sanders began his coaching career at Montana State in 2012-13, leading the Bobcats to a fourth-place finish in the Big Sky standings.
In addition to coaching, Sanders has also owned and operated the Sanders Sports Academy, aiding players in skill development.
Sanders put together a professional playing career from 2004-10, making stops in France, Latvia, Israel, Spain and Turkey.
He played his college ball for Coach Steve Fisher at San Diego State, while Menzies was on the sidelines as an assistant from 1999-2003. In his senior year with the Aztecs, he was an All-Mountain West selection and team captain, averaging 16.1 points and 9.8 rebounds. He also helped lead SDSU to a Mountain West Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament bid in 2002.
Sanders received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from San Diego State in 2006 and his Master's in Education from New Mexico State in 2019.
He has a son, Avery, and a daughter, Embry.
In 2022-23, Kansas City was consistently ranked as one of the best defensive teams in the Summit, leading the league in rebounds per game and scoring defense. At the end of the season, Shemarri Allen and RayQuawndis Mitchell were both named Second Team All-Summit League. Allen was also named to the All-Defensive Team while Mitchell earned a spot on the All-Newcomer squad.
Sanders brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the game to the table. A former All-Mountain West honoree, he spent six years playing professionally overseas before returning stateside to join the coaching ranks.
"Aerick was our first-ever signee at San Diego State, hence we have a long-standing relationship," Menzies said. "He has been a winner, both as a player and a coach. I'm excited to have him back with me as we build Kansas City Men's Basketball."
In 2021-22, Sanders was an assistant coach at Southern Utah under Head Coach Todd Simon. In his season with the Thunderbirds, they finished with a 23-12 record, the second-most wins in program history. Finishing second in the Big Sky standings, the Thunderbirds made a postseason run to the semifinals of The Basketball Classic. In addition, three players were named to All-Big Sky teams.
Across the 2017-19 seasons, Sanders was the Director of Player Personnel under Coach Menzies at UNLV. The Runnin' Rebels moved up in the Mountain West standings both years while Sanders was on the sidelines, finishing seventh in 2017-18 and fourth in 2018-19. In his first season, UNLV won 20 games for the first time in four seasons, and Brandon McCoy was named Mountain West Freshman of the Year.
For four years prior to his UNLV stint, Sanders was on the New Mexico State sidelines, making three NCAA Tournament appearances and an NIT showing. For the first three years, he coached alongside Menzies, and in his final year he was an assistant to Coach Paul Weir.
Across his four years with the Aggies, they posted a 100-38 record, including a 49-9 mark in Western Athletic Conference play.
Sanders began his coaching career at Montana State in 2012-13, leading the Bobcats to a fourth-place finish in the Big Sky standings.
In addition to coaching, Sanders has also owned and operated the Sanders Sports Academy, aiding players in skill development.
Sanders put together a professional playing career from 2004-10, making stops in France, Latvia, Israel, Spain and Turkey.
He played his college ball for Coach Steve Fisher at San Diego State, while Menzies was on the sidelines as an assistant from 1999-2003. In his senior year with the Aztecs, he was an All-Mountain West selection and team captain, averaging 16.1 points and 9.8 rebounds. He also helped lead SDSU to a Mountain West Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament bid in 2002.
Sanders received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from San Diego State in 2006 and his Master's in Education from New Mexico State in 2019.
He has a son, Avery, and a daughter, Embry.
MBB Highlights vs. #1 Omaha
Thursday, March 06
MBB Highlights vs. #9 Oral Roberts
Wednesday, March 05
MBB Highlights @ St. Thomas
Saturday, March 01
Postgame Interview: Coach Menzies post-St. Thomas
Saturday, March 01
