BOONEVILLE, Miss. - A decorated athlete that knew a thing or two about playing string music in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is bringing his passion for basketball to Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Andre Stringer is joining the Tigers' staff as an assistant. He returns to the collegiate level just over a decade after competing for four successful seasons at Louisiana State University (LSU).
"He's experienced basketball at a high level," said Northeast headman Cord Wright. "You can tell he's knowledgeable. He's extremely well connected. He's brought a lot of energy. He's really hit on the player development which is something we strive to be good at."
Stringer was a household name for hoops fans across the Magnolia State in the late 2000s. He received the title of Mr. Basketball from The Clarion-Ledger in 2009 and was twice the Gatorade Mississippi Player of the Year.
The 5-10 guard went on to start in 93 games for LSU. Stringer, who also played professionally for parts of five seasons, began his coaching career two years ago in his hometown at Jackson Academy.
"I'm unbelievably excited. I'm looking forward to this opportunity," Stringer said. "My dream when I started as a coach was to get to the college level. I'm here finally. I know there's a lot of work to be done and I'm ready for it."
Stringer backed up his prep awards upon his arrival to Baton Rouge. He averaged a team-best 30.7 minutes per game for coach Trent Johnson as a true freshman during the 2010-11 campaign along with 11.2 points.
He produced a season-high of 21 points twice in victories by the Tigers over Northwestern State (La.) University and the University of South Alabama. Stringer drained 57 three-pointers, which led all LSU guards.
Stringer had the Tigers back in the postseason during his sophomore year. He notched 10 points and six assists in a loss at the University of Oregon in the opening round of the 2012 National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
LSU accepted a bid to the NIT once again at the end of Stringer's final campaign. He totaled 24 points over two contests, including 15 against eventual runner-up Southern Methodist (Texas) University.
Stringer's best statistical season came as a senior despite starting in the fewest games of his entire tenure with the Tigers. He accounted for 11.8 points per outing behind 24 double-digit performances.
He had four 20-plus point nights that year. Among them was a career-best 23 points at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and 22 points in his regular season finale versus the University of Georgia.
Stringer's other personal marks include seven rebounds against the University of Missouri as a junior, 11 made free throws in a win over the University of Houston (Texas) and five steals versus the University of Rhode Island.
He became the first LSU player in three years to connect on six three-pointers in a single game. Stringer did so in a pre-Christmas road trip to the University of Marquette (Wis.) in 2012.
His name still dots the Tigers' record book in several locations. Stringer is LSU's all-time leader in three-point attempts with 680 and is second with 242 makes from beyond the arc.
The 74 treys that Stringer drilled during the 2013-14 campaign are the ninth most in a season for the Tigers. He ranks in the top 20 at LSU in career assists (314) and steals (130).
Stringer is one of only 16 men in school history with more than 1,000 points, 200 assists and 100 steals. His 1,365 points were the third most among active SEC players at the conclusion of his time at LSU.
He reached double figures in 72 games, which was only six less than fellow LSU alumnus Shaquille O'Neal. Stringer was a two-time selection to the SEC Community Service Team.
"Basketball has taken me a lot of places. It means a lot to me. It's my first love and still very near and dear to my heart," said Stringer. "I want our players to know that it doesn't matter what you look like. All that matters is how much sacrifice you can put into a dream and aspiration and it'll work out for you."
Stringer spent two seasons with the Maine Red Claws of what is now the NBA's G League. He also inked pro contracts with the Tampereen Pyrinto in Finland and the Island Storm of the NBL Canada.
He graduated from Forest Hill High School as its all-time leading scorer with averages of 26 points and nine assists. He participated in both the prestigious Mississippi/Alabama and Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) North/South all-star contests.
Stringer helped Jackson Academy compile a 61-6 cumulative record over the past two seasons. The Raiders claimed consecutive Mid-South Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class 6A championships in the process.
Jackson Academy also secured the MAIS overall title during his initial season with the program. He instructed Caleb Gaitor, who signed with Christian Brothers (Tenn.) University after earning 2025 MAIS Class 6A Player of the Year honors.