NSU Basketball Record-Setter Returns as Assistant Coach

When Nova Southeastern University graduate R.J. Sunahara goes to work on the basketball court at Rick Case Arena, he walks onto a floor that he owned playing for the Sharks. The 6’8”, 215-pound Sunahara dominated the game in his three years at NSU, setting records in blocks (172), free throws (342), as well as ranking second in Sharks history in points (1,579) and field goals (594).

“I got into basketball when I was around 5,” said the now 24-year-old. “My mom and dad took me to the local gym and signed me up. One of the things I love most about college basketball is how it brings families together. As a kid, our family would go to University of Cincinnati games. It added harmony to our family.”

Sunahara earned a degree in business management at NSU in 2023 after helping lead the men’s basketball team to an undefeated championship season. With one year left of college ball eligibility, Sunahara transferred to the Division I University of Georgia Bulldogs, getting the opportunity to play in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

In 2024, Sunahara returned to South Florida as an assistant coach job under one of the most successful Division II head basketball coaches in the nation: NSU’s Jim Crutchfield. This year, the Sharks men’s team is ranked second in NCAA Division II, with a 27-1 season and 78 consecutive home game victories going into the Sunshine State Conference tournament.

“Coming back as a coach, I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to give back to the program that game me so much,” Sunahara said. “When Coach Crutchfield and Coach (Nick) Smith approached me about being on the staff, it was a no-brainer. We have a program that has been very successful, and it is a fun group to be around every day. I’m excited to see what’s in store for our team the rest of the way.”

It was under the coaching of Crutchfield that Sunahara helped lead the Sharks in the 2022-23 perfect season to become the sixth team in NCAA Division II history to finish as unbeatable national champions. Sunahara also earned the Sunshine State Conference, Division II College Commissioners Association South Region, and National Association of Basketball Coaches Player of the Year.

Interestingly, Sunahara began his college basketball career at Fairmont State University in northern West Virginia under the tutelage of another highly successful coach, Joe Mazzulla, now the head coach of the Boston Celtics. The two still stay in touch until this day.

After entering the transfer portal after his first year in college, Sunahara received a call from Coach Crutchfield inviting him to come to campus.

“After my visit, I knew NSU was the place for me,” he said.

Sunahara says that one of the key lessons Coach Crutchfield taught him as a player has been that there is always more effort that you can give.

“Coach taught me that if you think you are out there giving 100% effort, you can always give more and play harder,” he said.

Working with Crutchfield this season, Sunahara has been learning the true ins and outs of a game strategy that fostered Sunahara’s past success. He says that a top coaching takeaway from Crutchfield thus far has been the importance of coaching every player a little differently.

“It’s all based on personalities,” he said.

As a freshman, was influenced by Coach Mazzulla, who planted the seeds of a solid work ethic.

“When I first came to Fairmont State, I was a skinny freshman who didn’t know how to work hard, and Joe was there to push me to be my best,” Sunahara said. “He would get on me every day, and tell me that I didn’t work hard enough, tell me I wasn’t good enough, when in reality he was just trying to push me to be the best player that I could be.”

Also in Sunahara’s corner is his longtime role model, Rex, his older brother. Rex, 28, is the long snapper for the NFL Cleveland Browns.

“He has always pushed me to be my best and hold myself accountable,” he said.

Sunahara credits the support of his mother, Laura, and father, Rex, who has coached collegiate women’s volleyball for several years. His father also won a national championship during his coaching career.

The 2022-2023 NCAA Division II Champion sticks in Sunahara’s mind has his proudest collegiate moment.

“I hugged my mom, I cried a bit, I hugged my dad,” he said.

Spending his time in college at NSU, and returning to Shark Nation, has been a magical journey, Sunahara says.

“One of the advantages of coming to NSU was the great education I received,” he said. “Another one would be the relationships I’ve made with the people here. They have treated me like family since the start and made my career here unforgettable. Coming to NSU has made me into the man I am today. Without this place, I wouldn’t have been able to meet a lot of important people in my life.”

Sunahara was raised in Bay Village, Ohio, a small suburb on the west side of Cleveland.

“A lot of my success also comes from growing up in Bay Village and the relationships I’ve made with the people there,” he said. “I’ve had a great amount of support from the Bay Village community and a lot of my closest friends are the people I grew up with there.”

As for his future plans, Sunahara says he aspires to be a future head coach with an NCAA Division I or Division II basketball team. Coaching will give him a chance to positively change lives, he adds.

“You get a kid who is maybe not the strongest, tallest, but he’s got heart … and you can change that kid’s life by giving him a scholarship and a home for four years,” he said. “My dad always told me, you don’t just take, you’ve got to give back. I’ve felt that during my college basketball career that many people have given me so much. And now, it’s my turn.”