In the 2024-2025 season, Joshua Bone is entering his third season as an assistant coach and his 7th season overall since joining the TSU coaching staff during the 2018-2019 season.
Bone initially began his tenure at TSU as the video coordinator for one season in 2018-2019, before transitioning to the role of director of basketball operations, which he held for three seasons (2019-2022). In Bone’s two seasons as an assistant, he’s contributed to helping Coach Penny and the Tigers to two consecutive 18-win seasons, which has only been done by two other coaches in the history of TSU basketball. With a background that spans various levels of basketball, Bone brings a wealth of experience to the team.
Bone, who graduated from nearby Brentwood Academy has a winning DNA in his blood. He started on varsity all four years alongside teammate and former NBA vet, Brandan Wright. Together they led Brentwood Academy to four State Championships, becoming the first team in the state to accomplish such feat. In addition to winning four state titles, Bone helped Brentwood Academy win various prestigious high school tournaments such as City of Palms, and Arby’s Classic. He was the top-ranked guard in the state by the end of his senior season and went on to help Brentwood Academy become the #12th-ranked team in the country. Â
Bone began his college basketball journey at Southern Illinois University. As a freshman, he produced only one turnover. He helped the Salukis reach a conference Championship with a 15-3 conference record and a 29-7 overall record. That team finished as the 14th-ranked team in the College Basketball AP Poll and was labeled one of the best teams in program history. In his second season, he averaged 10 ppg and 3 apg, and led the team in three-point shooting.
Bone then transferred to the University of Tennessee, where he played under Bruce Pearl and was part of two NCAA tournament teams. In 2010, the Vols were 11-5 in the conference, 28-9 overall, and made it to the Elite 8, for the first time in school history. The 2010 team was the #15th-ranked team in the College Basketball AP Poll. The Volunteers reached the NCAA tournament for the second straight season in 2011 where Bone made a significant impact on the court, establishing himself as one of the nation's top defenders as a senior.Â
After his collegiate career, Bone went on to have a three-year professional playing career, including one season in Germany. While in Germany, he won MVP of the league, averaging 30 ppg 6 apg, and 5 rpg. Leading a previous year's last-place team, Bone and his squad tied for 2nd in the conference and played for a championship. Following his time as a player, he transitioned into coaching, spending two seasons at Antioch High School in Tennessee. Additionally, Bone founded BFG Elite an AAU organization based in Nashville. They went on to win tournaments around the country, including the Big Shot tournament in Florida in 2017, which included circuit teams from around the Florida area. BFG also won the Future 150 tournament in 2016. During his three years coaching AAU, he helped a dozen kids advance to the next level, with some still playing today.
Bone is married to Lutece Bone, and they have two daughters named Jersey and Jayce, and a son named Joshua III. He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee in 2011.
