Honored by Albion College at the 2024 Albion College Alumni Awards, the men's basketball program saw a pair of alums recognized. Marcus Gill '04 and Michael Thomas '06 were both celebrated at the event. 

Both Gill and Thomas were recipients of the James L. Curtis Alumni Leadership Award.

Gill is currently the Head Boys' Basketball Coach, Concord High School and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Jackson County Intermediate School District.

An accomplished basketball coach with experience including Siena Heights University, Albion College, Ohio Wesleyan, Earlham College and AAU, Marcus Gill is currently the head boys' basketball coach at Concord High School as well as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for Jackson County Intermediate School District. His professional career has also included several years of service at Albion College as a senior associate director and multicultural coordinator with the office of Admission.

Combining his professional involvements with his personal affinity for Albion College, Marcus has been instrumental in the Mike Turner Basketball Classic, which features basketball games between high school teams coached by Albion College alumni who were influenced by Coach Mike Turner '69. The first of this now-annual event, in 2023, included a tribute and court dedication to Coach Turner.
While at Albion, Marcus studied Physical Education and was a member of Black Student Alliance, Men's Basketball, Men's Track, and A Club. He was captain when the men's basketball team achieved a 20-win season his senior year. In 2021, Marcus was inducted into the Albion College Hall of Fame with the 2004 Men's Track and Field team. He holds a master's degree in educational leadership from Siena Heights University.

Thomas serves currently as the Head Boys' Basketball Coach, East Kentwood High School

Michael (Mike) Thomas began his coaching career at Northwood University before leading Kalamazoo Central High School as their head basketball coach to earn two Michigan High School Athletic Association state championships. In 2010, he was recognized as the Coach of the Year from the Detroit Free Press as well as the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan. He returned to Albion College as the assistant men's basketball coach for the 2012-13 season. Prior to coming to his current role as Grand Rapids' East Kentwood High School basketball coach in 2022, he led Grand Blanc High School to a state championship in 2021.

Mike has been instrumental in the Albion College Mike Turner Basketball Classic, which features basketball games between high school teams coached by Albion College alumni who were influenced by Coach Mike Turner '69.

In addition to Mike's coaching career, he has volunteered with Western Michigan University's Special Olympics and Kalamazoo Area Recreation Services and works with area youth basketball camps. His drive for developing young athletes has earned him a State of Michigan Commendation for Excellent Representation of the Community.
While at Albion, Mike studied Economics and Management and was a member of the A Club, track and men's basketball teams. He was recognized with the Young Alumni Award in 2012 and is an individual Hall of Fame inductee (2015).