Former Vermont basketball star lands spot in NBA

T.J. Sorrentine is headed to the National Basketball Association.

The former Vermont basketball star famously known for that shot from the parking lot in the 2005 NCAA Tournament has accepted a gig on the Washington Wizards bench, the Providence Journal reported on Wednesday.

Sorrentine, who spent 16 seasons at Brown, the last 13 as the program’s associate head coach, told the Providence Journal that the Wizards’ offer was too good to pass up. Sorrentine, who graduated from UVM in 2005, is a Pawtucket, Rhode Island, native. 

“I was happy,” Sorrentine told the Providence Journal. “I was comfortable. When I came down here to visit, I came with the mindset that it was a great opportunity. But if it didn’t happen or come through, I had a great job.  

“This was a unique opportunity. That’s when I knew it was time to go. I was ready. I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity.”

According to the Journal’s story, Sorrentine has a strong connection with new Wizards coach Brian Keefe, who had the interim tag removed from his title in late May. Sorrentine and Keefe’s relationship traces back over two decades.

“That obviously put it over the top,” Sorrentine said. “That was first and foremost. I always say small circle — have a lot of friends and know a lot of people, but a really small circle of people I trust.”

At Vermont, Sorrentine was an America East player of the year who was a crucial catalyst during the program’s golden era that saw the Catamounts climb into relevancy and reach three straight NCAA tourneys between 2003-05. Sorrentine’s long-distance 3-pointer in the 2005 tournament — “hit that one from the parking lot!” — sealed Vermont’s stunning, overtime upset of Syracuse.

Sorrentine, who had his Vermont No. 11 jersey retired along with teammate Taylor Coppenrath’s 22 in 2019, scored 2,013 points over his Catamount career, which ranks third in program history behind Eddie Benton and Coppenrath.

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.