Tom Abatemarco joins the UC Davis men’s basketball program as the General Manager and Consultant for the 2025-26 season. A veteran coach with more than four decades of experience, Abatemarco has served as a head coach at Lamar, Drake, and Sacramento State, and as an assistant at programs including Maryland, NC State, Colorado, and Iona. His career also includes positions in the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League.

Known nationally for his recruiting acumen and passion for player development, Abatemarco has earned praise from some of the sport’s most respected figures. Hall of Famer Rick Pitino said, “I’ve been a lucky head coach to have 31 assistants move on to be head coaches. I’m really enjoying my assistant Tom Abatemarco. It’s a lesson for all coaches out there. His passion for recruiting and coaching is such a joy to witness.” ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla added, “Tom Abatemarco will be a first-ballot Recruiting Hall of Famer. No one ever, ever outworks the ‘Alphabet Man.’”

The Abatemarco File