July 26, 2004
Former University of New Mexico men’s basketball player Senque Carey has joined Portland State University men’s basketball coaching staff for the 2004-05 season. Carey spent last season with the Lobos as an undergraduate assistant coach after completing his eligibility at New Mexico in 2002-03.
A native of Palo Alto, Calif., Carey transferred to UNM following his sophomore season at the University of Washington. Carey started 20 of 30 games and averaged 6.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 3.2 apg in the 2001-02 season. He was slated to be the Lobos starting point guard as a senior but suffered a spinal cord injury while trying to draw a charge in the first half against Northwestern State on Nov. 25, 2002. His season and – ultimately his career – was ended on the play that left him temporarily paralyzed, just two games into the schedule. He was unable to move his legs again until Dec. 8 when he showed up to practice and surprisingly walked from the sideline to center court to greet his coaches and teammates.
Carey has recovered from his injury and is ready to begin his coaching career at Portland State. “I learned a lot working under Coach McKay and the other coaches at New Mexico,” stated Carey. “I spent last year, and the year when I was hurt, learning how a team works from the inside. I am looking forward to working at Portland State and I am ready to attack my new job.”
Portland State competes in the Big Sky Conference and posted an 11-16 record last season. PSU is an up-and-coming program and their five game improvement from 2002-03 was the best in the Big Sky and the 25th best turnaround in the nation. Portland State is also where head coach Ritchie McKay got his start as a Division I head coach. McKay rebuilt Portland State men’s basketball from 1996-98 after the Viking program had been dormant for 15 years.