Elon University assistant men’s basketball coach and director of video scouting and recruiting operations Stacey Palmore died unexpectedly on the evening of June 4 according to a statement from the men’s basketball team. The cause of Palmore’s death is currently unknown. 

Palmore was a part of Elon’s basketball program since joining the team as an assistant coach in 2022. Along with head coach Billy Taylor, Palmore helped contribute to the team’s recent success during their first winning season in eight years. 

"Stacey was a colleague and a friend for over 25 years, dating back to our time as assistant coaches in the Southern Conference," said Taylor in a statement to Elon Athletics. "I am heartbroken for his son Jaden, his family, and our Elon basketball family."

University president Connie Book released a statement on Today at Elon requesting people send their condolences while expressing gratitude for Palmore’s work.

“Please join me in sending prayers of thanks for the personal and professional contributions Stacey made to this university and this community,” Book said.  

Before Palmore’s tenure at Elon, he worked as an assistant coach for the University of South Carolina Upstate and Coastal Carolina from 2014 to 2017. Palmore was additionally an assistant at the University of Georgia, where he coached three future NBA players: two-time finals champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Travis Leslie and Trey Thompkins. 

Before Georgia, Palmore worked at Virginia Tech under Seth Greenberg. He became one of the conference’s most respected coaches thanks to his reputation as a great recruiter and on-court teacher. Notable players who were recruited by Palmore include Malcolm Delaney, Jarrell Eddie and Erick Green, all three of whom were drafted to the NBA. 

As a 1993 graduate at Livingstone College (N.C.), Palmore excelled in basketball and golf, where he was ranked top 10 nationally in 3-point percentage among all Division II players. Palmore was a co-captain as a junior and senior. 

Elon University held an open to the public memorial service at Schar Center June 5 at 4 p.m. for a Gathering of Friends in memory of Palmore.