After an impressive playing career in a Sacramento State uniform, Zach Chappell will enter his second season as the program’s assistant general manager in 2026-27.
The 2026-27 season will also mark his sixth year on campus, which includes a season as assistant coach (2024-25), and three years as a player (2020-23).
In his first season as assistant general manager, Sacramento State went 10-4 at home and consistently sold out Hornet Pavilion. The 10 home victories were the most for the program since the 2019-20 season, and the average attendance of 2,758 per home game set a school record.
The program finished with 2,408 points, and an average of 77.7 points per contest - both the top marks in the Hornets’ Div. I era (1991-pres.). In addition, the team’s aggressiveness led to 595 made free throws (easily the most in the team’s Div. I era, second in program history), and a school-record 78% shooting from the free throw line. Also, a pair of Hornet teammates - Prophet Johnson (18.2 ppg) and Mikey Williams (17.1 ppg) - averaged better than 17 points in the same season for the first time in 38 years.Â
Academically, the team thrived as a program-record seven Hornets were named to the Big Sky all-academic team, and 12 of the team’s 15 players had 3.0 or better grade point averages.
Chappell completed a pro season of basketball in Germany in 2024 after three highly successful years as a player at Sacramento State. Chappell was an all-Big Sky Conference performer as a senior in 2022-23.
A Sacramento native who prepped at Capital Christian High School, Chappell scored 860 points in a Hornet uniform despite playing just 74 games over two and a half seasons (missed first half of 2020-21 with injury). His career averages with the Hornets include 11.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game. A two-year starter, Chappell averaged better than 11 points each of his final two years.
That culminated in a senior season that saw him start 31 games while leading the team in scoring (13.5 ppg). A double figure scorer on 20 occasions as a senior, Chappell had a habit for hitting big shots, which included game-winning buckets in the closing moments against Long Beach State, Idaho and Denver. He was the College Insider National Player of the Week after hitting buzzer beaters against Denver and Long Beach State over a four-day span.
During his Sacramento State career, Chappell scored in double figures 42 times. Prior to the Hornets, he spent two seasons at San Jose State (2018-20), and finished his collegiate career with 1,203 points. Â
A Big Sky Conference all-academic selection and NABC Honors Roll recipient, Chappell graduated from Sacramento State with a philosophy degree in 2022. He is currently working on his master’s degree in recreation administration.
