DeKALB | New NIU men’s basketball coach Ricardo Patton has made the final additions to his coaching staff.

Former Colorado aides John Anderson, Sundance Wicks and Will Smith will join Chicago native Dennis Gates as newcomers to the program.

“We have assembled a staff that brings a wealth of experience both in recruiting and coaching on the floor,” Patton said. “These are individuals that will be a good fit for the entire athletic department family and will certainly work well with the players.”

Anderson, Patton’s assistant at Colorado from 2005-2007, was responsible for off-campus recruiting and scouting.

Gates spent the last two years as an assistant for his alma mater, California, and was a four-year letter winner for the Bears from 1999-2002. He also helped California earn bids to the NCAA Tournament in 2001 and 2002.

Wicks played basketball at Northern State University under legendary coach Don Meyer and joined Patton’s staff at Colorado for the 2006-2007 season. Prior to his time in Colorado, Wicks was as an assistant coach at his alma mater from 2004-2006.

Smith comes in as Patton’s director of basketball operations, the same position he was at Colorado from 2004-2007. Smith also played at Colorado from 1996-2000.