LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State head men's basketball coach Chris Jans filled his Director of Basketball Operation position on Saturday with the addition of Las Cruces local and coaching veteran Casey Owens.
 
"We are thrilled to announce the addition of Casey Owens to our basketball program," said Jans. "Coach Owens is a Las Cruces native and an Aggie alumni, which is an added bonus! Casey brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that our players and overall program will benefit from tremendously."
 
Owens returns to the Mesilla Valley after spending the last two seasons (2016-18) with the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant coach and advance professional scout on Luke Walton's staff. While with the Lakers, Owens scouted and game-planned against every opponent and also helped develop players like Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzman and Josh Hart to name a few.
 
"I'd like to thank Director of Athletics Mario Moccia, Aggie head coach Chris Jans and Aggie nation for this incredible opportunity," said Owens. "Las Cruces and NM State are home for me, and to have the opportunity to serve this historic program, university and its student-athletes carries great meaning for my entire family. I was raised in the Pan Am on Aggie Basketball and look forward to helping this program continue its winning ways. Coach Jans has a razor sharp basketball mind, gets the absolute best out of his players and as our talks progressed, it became obvious this would be a fantastic and unique fit. It's an honor to be a part of his staff, and I'm excited to feel the Pan Am rocking! Go Aggies!"
 
Prior to his move to The Association, Owens served as the head coach of the LA Defenders – known then as the D-League team of the Los Angeles Lakers. In his lone season at the helm, Owens guided the D-Fenders to the Western Conference championship and D-League finals. He served as an assistant the previous two seasons with the D-Fenders before being elevated to the head coach position. During his tenure with the D-Fenders, Owens helped guide a pair of players make an NBA roster in Justin Harper (Detroit Pistons) and Jeff Ayres (Los Angeles Clippers).
 
His 19 years of experience spans across the globe and at several professional levels, including but not limited to the NBA, then D-League, Continental Basketball Association and China while having success at each level he's been at.
 
The Las Cruces native graduated from New Mexico State University in 1994 with a bachelor's in English before obtaining his master's degree in creative writing and poetics at Naropa University in 1996.
 
Owens and his wife Susannah have a daughter, Ophelia, and a son, Tennessee. Their son, Tennessee is currently redshirting with the Aggie men's basketball team.