SACRAMENTO, Calif. — David Picton, who spent the past eight years as the founder, head coach and technical director of Niagara Prep in Ontario, Canada, has been named an assistant coach for the Sacramento State women's basketball program for the 2026-27 season, Head Coach Aaron Kallhoff announced on Wednesday.

"David has built a reputation as one of the premier player developers in North America," Kallhoff said. "His ability to identify talent, build meaningful relationships, and prepare student-athletes for success at the highest levels aligns perfectly with the culture we're building at Sacramento State. His international experience, championship background, and passion for developing young women will have an immediate impact on our program."

Picton arrives at Sacramento State following one of the most successful coaching tenures in Canadian prep basketball. Since founding Niagara Prep in 2017, he built the program into one of Canada's premier prep programs, consistently ranking among the nation's top four while establishing a reputation for elite player development and collegiate placement.

Under Picton's leadership, Niagara Prep produced 10 NCAA Division I scholarship student-athletes, two professional players, 10 Canadian National Team athletes, and multiple league MVPs and All-Canadians. His players have gone on to compete at some of the nation's top programs, including UConn, Duke, Stanford, Utah, Maryland, Rice and several others.

"I'm incredibly grateful to Coach Kallhoff for the opportunity to join the Sacramento State family," Picton said. "The vision for this program, the commitment to developing outstanding student-athletes, and the momentum surrounding Hornet women's basketball made this an opportunity I couldn't pass up. My family and I are excited to become part of the Sacramento community and help build a championship program."

In addition to Niagara Prep, Picton served as a coach and director of player development with the Kia Nurse Elite Nike EYBL program from 2019-25, working with U15, U16 and U17 teams while helping develop many of Canada's top young prospects.

He also spent 12 years (2006-18) coaching within the Ontario Basketball Association, winning four OBA Provincial Championships and two Ontario Basketball League Extended championships with two different organizations. Picton additionally led a team to the inaugural U14 Junior NBA Canada Championship, earning a berth in the World Junior NBA Championships.

At the collegiate level, Picton spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the men's basketball program at his alma mater, Brock University.

As a player, Picton is regarded as one of the greatest student-athletes in Brock basketball history. He remains the program's all-time leader in career points and assists while earning Canadian Interuniversity Sport All-Canadian first team honors twice and first-team Ontario University Athletics All-Star recognition three times.

A two-time OUA Most Valuable Player (1994, 1996), Picton has been inducted into both the Brock University Hall of Fame and the Brock University Men's Basketball Hall of Fame. His No. 31 jersey has also been retired by the university.

Internationally, Picton represented Canada as a member of the Canadian National Team, helping his country capture a gold medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia, a silver medal at the 1993 World University Games in the United States, and a bronze medal at the 1995 World University Games in Japan.

Following his collegiate career, Picton played professionally in Germany with MTV Giessen Flippers, TK Hannover Flyers, and OTSV Quakenbrück Dragons.

Picton holds coaching certifications from both Canada Basketball (Levels 1-3) and USA Basketball (Gold Coach License). He graduated with honors from Brock University in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in Administrative Health Studies.