Florida State men's basketball coach Leonard Hamilton took a trip back to memory lane at Austin Peay University, where he began his hall-of-fame coaching as an assistant coach (1971-74).

On Monday, Hamilton was among the former coaches and players honored by the APSU coaching staff during a special alumni charity game. Hamilton is a member of the ASPU Athletics Hall of Fame, one of seven members to be inducted.

Hamilton started as a graduate assistant and was promoted to full-time assistant Governors' coaching staff member in 1973. He also has a master's degree in physical and health education.

While coaching under the late Lake Kelly, the Governors were 49-31, including back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.

He also helped develop former NBA player and Austin Peay's all-time great, James 'Fly' Williams.

After Austin Peay, Hamilton accepted an associate head coaching role at Kentucky, where he worked under Joe B. Hall for 12 years, including being part of the 1978 national championship team.

He accepted his first head coaching job at Oklahoma State in 1986. Hamilton will enter his 23rd season at FSU and 36th in his head coaching career.

FSU will host its second exhibition on Thursday against West Florida at 3 p.m. The Seminoles open the season against Northern Kentucky on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Charles L. Tucker Civic Center.

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Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU's Leonard Hamilton honored at alumni charity game in Austin Peay