Valparaiso men's basketball head coach Bryce Drew announced today that former Stanford standout Matt Lottich has joined the Crusader coaching staff as an assistant coach. Lottich brings nearly a decade of professional playing experience to Valpo's bench.

"Our basketball program is very excited to have Matt Lottich join our coaching staff," said Drew. "We look forward to having him work with our team, as his energy and experience will really benefit our program as we head into this season."

Lottich played professionally most recently in Japan in the bj League, spending eight years in Japan in two separate stints. Lottich suited up for the Oita Heat Devils from 2009 through 2012, serving as team captain all four years and earned league All-Star recognition in 2011. He also helped Osaka Evessa to three league championships in a four-year period from 2005 through 2008, three times earning All-Star honors en route to titles.

Lottich also played in the Bundesliga for the Dusseldorf Giants during the 2008-2009 campaign. Prior to his start in the bj League, Lottich spent the summer of 2004 with the New Jersey Nets' summer league squad, and then played in New Zealand for the Harbor Heat of the NBL.

Off the court, Lottich comes to Valpo from the National Collegiate Scouting Association, where he started in January of 2013. Lottich ascended to the position of Head Scout during his time with the NCSA, which helps high school athletes navigate the world of college recruiting. Lottich also co-founded the TEAM Life Skills basketball camp in 2004 and has helped manage and develop the camp over the last nine years.

Lottich played collegiately at Stanford University, where he was named to the Wooden Award midseason candidates list as a senior in 2004. Lottich would go on to be named an NABC All-Star, awarded to the top-15 college basketball seniors, as he helped guide Stanford to the Pac-10 title.

Lottich earned Honorable Mention All Pac-10 accolades as a senior and earned a spot on the conference's All-Tournament Team. Lottich, who totaled 891 points for the Cardinals over his four-year career, also was a part of their conference championship squad in 2000-2001 as a freshman. He ranks among Stanford's single-season and career best in 3-pointers made as well.

Prior to his collegiate career, he played his prep basketball at New Trier [Ill.] H.S., where he became and still remains the program's all-time leading scorer. Lottich was named the 2000 Chicago Tribune Athlete of the Year as well following his senior season.