Shawn Vanzant joined the Eckerd men's basketball staff in summer 2025.

Originally from Tampa, Fla. and a graduate of Wharton High School, Vanzant was an NCAA Division I player with the Butler Bulldogs. He appeared in 138 games with the Bulldogs over his four-year career and averaged just under 29 minutes per game his senior season. In his final year, Vanzant posted 8.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per outing and shot over 40 percent from behind the three-point line. He went on to play professionally around the globe for six years, which included stints in Finland, Ireland, Canada, and the NBA Development League.

Following his playing career, Vanzant began coaching with Lincoln Memorial University, an NCAA Division II program in Harrogate, Tenn. In his two years with the Railsplitters, the team posted a 62-8 overall record and made the NCAA Tournament each season, including a Final Four run in 2016-17. Vanzant moved to the high school level after his time with LMU and was at Bloomingdale for four years before taking over his alma mater, Wharton, most recently.