Spartans Men’s Basketball Enters a New Era
With Ced Brooks taking over as Head Coach and Mel Sipp joining as Assistant Coach, Texas Spartans men’s basketball is building toward an even stronger second season.
A Program on the Rise
After a strong first year that included a winning record and a double-digit win streak, the Spartans are turning the page with new leadership focused on growth, development, and long-term success.
As the program moves deeper into the offseason, Athletic Director Darnell Newman has selected two new coaches to help lead Texas Spartans men’s basketball forward. Head Coach Ced Brooks and Assistant Coach Mel Sipp arrive with different journeys, but a shared commitment to helping student-athletes grow on the court and beyond it.
Ced Brooks
Coach Brooks brings an impressive basketball background to Round Rock. A Texas native from Killeen, he played at Weatherford College, where he put together a standout junior college career that included a 55-point game against Southwest Christian and JUCO All-American honors.
From there, Brooks continued his success at Pittsburgh State University as an NCAA All-American before going on to play professionally. His career included opportunities connected to Memphis, Houston, and Chicago, followed by high-level success overseas where he led the Bundesliga in scoring, rebounding, and assists.
After spending time in training and staying close to the game, Brooks felt the time was right to transition into coaching. Now, he steps into his first year leading the Spartans with a vision centered on excellence, accountability, and helping players understand what it means to be a collegiate athlete both on and off the floor.
“I’m hoping to take this program to the NJCAA and from there, the sky’s the limit.”
Mel Sipp
Coach Sipp’s path to college basketball coaching is built on perseverance, growth, and connection. Raised in the south suburbs of Chicago, he did not begin playing organized basketball until he enrolled at Morton Community College, where he joined as a walk-on.
That experience shaped the way he sees the game and the players he now mentors. Over the past eight years, Sipp has served as a high school assistant coach in Chicago, Killeen, and Austin, building a reputation for work ethic, player development, and relationship-building.
As a former junior college player himself, Sipp believes that relatability is one of his greatest strengths. His goal is to connect with student-athletes in a way that helps them grow not only as players, but as men prepared for life beyond basketball.
“I’m going to be able to relate to, connect to and build relationships with the guys...”
Building the Next Chapter
With Brooks leading the program and Sipp adding experience, energy, and player connection, Texas Spartans men’s basketball is positioned to keep building on its early momentum.
The mission is bigger than wins alone. The focus is on developing disciplined student-athletes, raising the standard of the program, and preparing players to succeed in every area of life.
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