The Phoenix Suns, as they attempt to defend their Western Conference Championship, will have a slew of new faces assisting head coach Monty Williams for the 2021-22 season. He was a member of Italys U16 National Team at the 2003 FIBA Europe U16 Championship in Madrid, and was a teammate of NBA veterans Danilo Gallinari and Gigi Datome in Italys junior national team program. The Phoenix Suns' starting lineup with Kevin Durant was announced pregame on Wednesday, revealing the team's fifth starter. Jan 27, PHO (8-8) lost to OKC, 97-102, 18. (Series Stats)Won NBA Western Conference Semifinals (4-0) versus Denver Nuggets Mar 30, PHO (32-14) beat ATL, 117-110, 47. Championship +4000, Over-Under Frazier entered the coaching world as a graduate manager for the mens basketball program at George Mason University in 2017-18. Philadelphia announced the coaches who will join Doc Rivers this upcoming season. Won NBA Western Conference First Round (4-2) versus Los Angeles Lakers Start your online subscription. A member of the coaching staff on nine teams to qualify for the playoffs, Ayers was an assistant coach on Philadelphias Eastern Conference Championship team in 2001. The Pelicans went 31-41 in 2020-21, a disappointing result after the season started with playoff aspirations. MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 20: Head coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns signals to his team during the first half in Game Six of the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on July 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Suns never have been coached by a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. Brian Agler: A very successful former WNBA coach, Agler won titles with Seattle (2010) and Los Angeles (2016). All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Or write about sports? Scalzi joins the Suns following seven seasons on the coaching staff of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Apr 19 @ MIL, PHO (41-16) beat MIL, 128-127, 58. Young and Williams were both assistants in Philadelphia under Brett Brown. Opp PTS/G: Mar 23 @ MIA, PHO (29-13) beat MIA, 110-100, 43. In each of his first two seasons as a coach, he helped the Warriors win back-to-back NBA Championships in 2017 and 2018 before returning to the NBA Finals in 2019, and has received high praise from many in Golden States organization and beyond for his coaching knowledge and demeanor. Entering the NBA as the 22nd overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, Jack played collegiately at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he led the Yellow Jackets to a national runner-up finish in 2004. Prior to joining Oklahoma Citys organization, Scalzi spent seven years as the director of basketball operations for the mens basketball program at Northeastern University. [1] Founded in 1968, the Suns are chronologically the second-oldest team in the Western Conference. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. In addition to his time in the G League, Strong played professionally for Maccabi Haifa in the Israeli Premier League from 2008-2010, and also with clubs in the Netherlands, Uruguay and, most recently, New Zealand in 2016. I am now a certified agent in NFLPA, NBPA, FIFA. Attendance: In the end, New Orleans didn't even make the Western Conference play-in tournament. Jan 23, PHO (8-7) lost to DEN, 112-120, 16. He was a member of Larry Browns staff with the 76ers from 1997-2003, where he coached both Williams and Bryant, then was Greens first NBA head coach with Philadelphia in 2003-04. His roles included director of analysis, opposition scouting, and player development coach. The Bulldogs advanced at least as far as the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament in all five of Fois seasons, and he helped the program reach its first-ever Final Four in 2017, played in Arizona, when Gonzaga finished as national runner-up. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Jack joins the coaching ranks after a 13-year NBA career as a player from 2005-2018. John MacLeod is the franchise's all-time leader in coaching years and games won, winning the most regular-season and playoff games. The coaching staffs of the Suns and Heat were split among the four teams: Team Worthy, Team Payton, Team Isiah and Team Barry. Mike D'Antoni coached the Phoenix Suns the 20032008, to a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2005 and 2006. Rajakovic served as the Thunders head coach at NBA Summer League in 2014 and 2015. newsletter, Phoenixs new twin towers have flashed greatness early, REPORT: Suns hiring Pistons executive Josh Bartelstein as new CEO, Suns JAM Session Podcast: Suns (35-29) @ Bulls Post Game Pod. The Suns have also added Ryan Frazier as head video coordinator. A native of Detroit, he won Horizon League Player of the Year as a senior in 2003 and helped the Titans to two NIT appearances in 2001 and 2002, including a trip to the semifinals at Madison Square Garden in 2001. This was after the team had bid adieu to Jay Triano . The Phoenix Suns have hired Michael Ruffin, who coached under Williams in New Orleans, added Jamal Gross as player development coach/video coordinator and elevated Corey Vinson to the same titles as he was an assistant in both areas with the team last year. As the Suns look to RUN IT BACK and bring back much of the team that just went to the NBA Finals, familiarity seems to be a common theme as Williams surrounds himself with faces he has worked with before. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. Originally the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 1988 NBA Draft by Portland, Bryant played four seasons at Seton Hall University and left the program ranked fifth in school history in total points and total rebounds. Learn more and register, Height of bar is margin of victory Mouseover bar for details Click for box score Grouped by Month, 2. In 2021, Michael Ruffin became an Assistant Coach for the Phoenix Suns. The 2022-23 Phoenix Suns season is their 55th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as their 30th season at the Footprint Center. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. He served as an assistant coach on Williams staff in New Orleans for all five seasons Williams was the teams head coach from 2010-2015. The Phoenix Suns are hiring Detroit Pistons executive Josh Bartelstein as the team's new CEO, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported. Founded in 1976, the NBCA consists of all NBA Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches and alumni, and works closely with the NBA on all matters that pertain to the coaching profession. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - According to ESPN, Phoenix Suns assistant coach Willie Green is the frontrunner on a shortlist to become the next head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans.. Green has 12 years . In 2013, moved to the United States to pursue a . SUNS Motivator: Phoenix Suns hiring Bryan Gates as an assistant coach after Willie Green departure Born in Anchorage, Alaska and the father of triplets, Gates has a special bond with Suns. Ayers, 63, brings to the Suns over 35 years of coaching experience, including as an NBA and college head coach, and has most recently spent the past three seasons as a pro scout with the Brooklyn Nets. He played four seasons at Bucknell University from 2012-2016, helping lead the Bison to three postseason appearances including a 2013 NCAA tournament bid and two NIT berths. Hall of Famers James Worthy, Gary Payton, Isiah Thomas and Rick. Kevin Young was also promoted to associate head coach as Willie Green had the same position the last two seasons before becoming head coach in New Orleans. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, Joerger, Cassell join Sixers' coaching staff, Former NBA guard Mo Williams named Alabama State coach, Jazz add Dell Demps, Keyon Dooling to coaching staff, 5 stats to know for 76ers-Bucks matchup on ABC, Brooks suspended after receiving 16th technical foul, Grizzlies' Clarke (torn achilles) out indefinitely, Ja issues apology, will miss 'at least' 2 games, Ex-NBA player Morrow facing assault charges, Durant passes 'Big O' for 13th in career points. His brother, Andy, is also an experienced NBA assistant coach. Born and raised in Springfield, Ohio, Ayers is a member of the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame. Young served as an assistant coach in his first season with the Suns in 2020-21 after four seasons as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers. Green remains fourth in program history in career points scored. Greer joins the Suns following two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. 115.3 (7th of 30) 109.5 (7th of 30), SRS: 5.67 (3rd of 30) Mar 31, PHO (33-14) beat CHI, 121-116, 49. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. Phoenix didn't have a lottery pick in the 2021 . We present them here for purely educational purposes. Young played collegiately at Clayton State University prior to his coaching career. Mar 11 @ POR, PHO (25-11) beat POR, 127-121, 37. On April 23, 2019, the organization parted ways with head coach Igor Kokoshov after one season - 82 total games coached - with the team. Blakes most successful seasons as a player came with Portland in 2005-06 and from 2007-2010 when Williams served as an assistant coach for the Trail Blazers. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. --Brian Randle will be on a NBA bench next season as an assistant coach.The former Illinois forward has been hired by the Phoenix Suns to join Monty Williams' coaching staff for . Ruffin played nine seasons in the NBA with the final one being in Portland in 2008-09 when Williams was an assistant with the Trail Blazers under Nate McMillan. Ayers has spent 17 total seasons on an NBA bench and was head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers for the majority of the 2003-04 season. The full coaching staff is listed below as Phoenix opens training camp Tuesday following a runto the NBA Finals that ended losing to the Milwaukee Bucks. 104,027 (4th of 30), NBA 2021 Playoffs: Updated: . Ayers also spent two seasons as an assistant coach with both the Orlando Magic (2005-2007) and Washington Wizards (2007-2009), and another season as an assistant coach with Philadelphia in 2009-10, before joining Williams staff in New Orleans. It was only Kevin Durant's first game with the Suns but the tantalizing upside of him in the Valley came oozing out of Wednesday's win. Do you have a blog? < 2021-22. KTAR. Coach Ruffin and his wife, Mistye, have four children (Milaya, Javon, Kalea, & Deionte). He was a First Team All-Big East selection as a senior in 1987-88 when he averaged 20.5 points and 9.1 rebounds to lead the P.J. Rajakovic began his coaching career at 16 years old with the youth teams of Borac Cacak in his hometown of Cacak, Serbia. The move was first . Ayers entered coaching as a graduate assistant for two seasons at his alma mater, Miami University in Ohio, then spent two seasons as an assistant coach at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point before joining Ohio States staff. Suns starting 5 crushes Bulls in 2nd straight win with Kevin Durant, Suns new dimensions flash in Kevin Durants debut, win over Hornets. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Jack and Williams also were together in Portland from 2005-2008, Jacks first three NBA seasons as a player and Williams first three NBA seasons as an assistant coach. Carlesimo-coached Pirates to their first-ever NCAA tournament berth. Before his coaching career, Ayers played at Miami and led the team to an upset of defending champion Marquette in the first round of the 1978 NCAA tournament. Feb 3 @ NOP, PHO (11-9) lost to NOP, 101-123, 27. Fois also assisted Gonzagas head coach Mark Few as the video coordinator for the 2015 USA Basketball Pan American Games Team coached by Few that won bronze in Toronto. All rights reserved. According to an article from The Washington Post published on New Year's Day 2019, NBA assistant coach salaries range from $100,000 to over $1 million depending on coaching experience. After being with the Golden State Warriors working under Steve Kerr, Green joined Monty Williams staff in Phoenix when he was hired during the 2019 offseason. Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. The 6-3 point guard was a member of nine teams to qualify for the playoffs, averaging 4.6 points and 2.5 assists in 53 career postseason games (13 starts). Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. May 13, PHO (49-21) beat POR, 118-117, 71. Welcome to the Valley. Jan 1 @ DEN, PHO (5-1) beat DEN, 106-103, 9. Former Timberwolves player development coach Brian Randle is joining Monty Williams' staff with the Phoenix Suns as an assistant coach, . Congrats, Kevin!. . He worked as an assistant coach with the Warriors when the team won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018. He spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio State before elevating to the programs head coaching position. [7] He was replaced by Lindsey Hunter halfway through the 201213 NBA season. The native of Silver Spring, Maryland worked as an equity capital markets analyst from 2016-2017 before his time at George Mason. [5] Gates served as an assistant coach on Williams staff for each of their five seasons in New Orleans. "I just don . For part of his tenures with both the Thunder and Trail Blazers, Greer served as the advance scout for coaching staffs that included Williams. A 12-year NBA veteran, Green has been an assistant with the Suns for the past two seasons and spent the previous three seasons on the Golden State Warriors' coaching staff. New Orleans has an enticing core led by Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram that would make any coach giddy to lead them. The new assistant in Phoenix had a nine-year playing career from 1999-2009, spending time on the Bulls, 76ers, Jazz, Wizards, Bucks and the Blazers. He first joined OKC as an assistant coach for their G League affiliate, the Tulsa 66ers. PHOENIX - The Phoenix Suns today announced Head Coach Monty Williams' coaching staff, naming Willie Green, Darko Rajakovic, Mark Bryant, Randy Ayers, Larry Greer and Steve Blake as. Jan 20 @ HOU, PHO (8-5) beat HOU, 109-103, 14. The Dallas Mavericks have had the Phoenix Suns' number since the tail-end of their playoff series. (Series Stats)Lost NBA Finals (2-4) versus Milwaukee Bucks In 2014, while Rajakovic was serving as Tulsas head coach, Oklahoma City head coach Scott Brooks included him as one of his assistant coaches at the 2014 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans. Randle is currently coaching the Summer League Suns in Las Vegas. Jan 8 @ DET, PHO (6-3) lost to DET, 105-110, 10. Associate. The Pelicans will announce the hiring of Green after the 2021 NBA Finals. Odds & lines subject to change. It was only Kevin Durant's first game with the Suns but the tantalizing upside of him in the Valley came oozing out of Wednesday's win. The Phoenix Suns announced in a press release the promotion of Kevin Young to associate head coach, as well as the additions of Bryan Gates, Jarrett Jack and Steve Scalzi as assistant. The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. 2020-21 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats Previous Season Next Season Record: 51-21, Finished 2nd in NBA Western Conference Coach: Monty Williams (51-21) Executive: James Jones PTS/G: 115.3 (7th of 30) Opp PTS/G: 109.5 (7th of 30) SRS: 5.67 (3rd of 30) Pace: 97.2 (26th of 30) He joined the Suns following four seasons as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers, helping the Sixers qualify for the playoffs in each of his final three seasons with the team. Bryant and Williams were teammates together with the 76ers for part of the 2002-03 season. After three years with Borac Cacak, he was named the head coach of the U20 and U18 teams of Red Star Belgrade and led Red Star to two Serbian championships in his eight years in Belgrade. PHOENIX The Phoenix Suns today announced the promotion ofKevin Youngto associate head coach, as well as the additions ofBryan Gates,Jarrett JackandSteve Scalzias assistant coaches. He served as a player development coach and director of analysis and opposition scouting, including when Williams was the teams associate head coach in 2015-16. PHOENIX - The Phoenix Suns today announced the promotion of Kevin Young to associate head coach, as well as the additions of Bryan Gates, Jarrett Jack and Steve Scalzi as assistant. Overall, wherever Green eventually lands, hes received rave reviews from Phoenix. Find out more. Suns assistant and former NBA player Willie Green is nearing completion on a deal with the Pelicans to become the team's next head coach, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Def Rtg: 111.3 (9th of 30) We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. According to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer, Suns lead assistant Willie Green has interviewed for three head coach openings with the New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, and Washington. Net Rtg: +5.9 (3rd of 30), Preseason Odds: He served as a player development coach for the Thunder the past two seasons, which followed five seasons as director of analysis and opposition scouting from 2014-2019, including when Williams was the teams associate head coach in 2015-16. Suns assistant Willie Green is ready to be a head coach, but Boston is a bad fit . Gates coached under Williams in New Orleans, Jack played for him in New Orleans and Portland while Scalzi was with the Oklahoma City Thunder when Williams was an associate head coach there in 2015-16. E-Mail: karen.marrero@nbacoaches.com. The announcement was made this morning by Williams on the Suns podcast, The Outlet, which can be viewed here. Data Provided By During educational tours of college basketball programs in the U.S., Rajakovic spent time attending practices and meeting with Lute Olson at the University of Arizona in 2003 and Mike Krzyzewski at Duke University in 2007. You may recall that Jack was the 22nd overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, the same draft in which Chris Paul went 4th overall. Young, considered a good coach and even better person, coached the offense in Philly with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Feb 26 @ CHI, PHO (21-11) beat CHI, 106-97, 33. The latest coaching additions are continuous proof of that. Two of those seasons were played under Williams and Gates with Chris Paul in New Orleans. Ruffin, 44, was on the New Orleans Pelicans coaching staff from 2014-20. In this Nov. 24, 2019, file photo, Phoenix Suns assistant coach Willie Green looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Denver Dec 31 @ UTA, PHO (4-1) beat UTA, 106-95, 6. [8] Former Pelicans coach Monty Williams was hired to coach the team on May 3, 2019. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Phoenix Suns assistant coach Willie Green is reportedly among a list of candidates for the Orlando Magic's head coach vacancy following Steve Clifford's departure from the organization. As Portlands starting point guard, Blake averaged a career-high 11.0 points in 2008-09 and a career-high 5.1 assists in 2007-08, helping the Trail Blazers improve from 32 wins before he returned in 2007 to 41 wins in 2007-08 then 54 wins and a playoff berth in 2008-09. Apr 25 @ BRK, PHO (42-18) lost to BRK, 119-128, 61. All thats missing with the Pelicans is stability and internal growth from a young roster. Former Wizards head coach Scott Brooks struggled with in-game adjustments during his tenure, but Green might excel there while also connecting more with the locker room. The Suns (26-7) currently have two players in health and safety protocols, Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder, both of whom didn't play Monday. With Ruffin on the Suns staff, he joins fellow new assistant coaches Kevin Gates, Jarrett Jack and Steve Scalzi alongside the returning Randy Ayers, Mark Bryant, Brian Randle and Kevin Young. Frazier earned Patriot League All-Defensive Team honors as a senior in 2015-16, and also excelled in the classroom and community, twice earning the Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Award as well as the 2014-15 Patriot League Award for Outstanding Leadership and Character. Apr 17, PHO (40-16) lost to SAS, 85-111, 57. Record: Following a decorated collegiate career, Blake was the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft. Please enter a valid email and try again. Whether Green finds that promotion in 2021 or later on, theres no doubt Green wont be in the assistant chair long under Williams. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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The Dallas Mavericks have had the Phoenix Suns' number since the tail-end of their playoff series. Pace: 97.2 (26th of 30), Off Rtg: 117.2 (5th of 30) New faces will accompany Monty Williams for the 2021-22 season. Bryan Gates, Jarrett Jack, and Steve Scalzi have joined the coaching ranks for Phoenix as well. 1 regional seeds in the NCAA tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 in 1991 and the Elite Eight in 1992. NBCA Director of Communications Langston Galloway joins Warriors on training camp deal, per report, Chris Paul teams with hoops hall of fame for HBCU double-header in Phoenix, Ja Morant says hell get help; video shows apparent gun. Scalzi first joined the organization as an assistant coach with the Tulsa 66ers, then the Thunders NBA G League affiliate, in 2013-14. In his first season, he led Torrelodones to the championship of the Primera Division de Baloncesto in Madrid, earning promotion to Liga EBA, Spains fourth-tier professional league. "I think too many players in the NBA get too much pressure to lead," said Suns coach Monty Williams, who was an assistant in Oklahoma City in 2015-16, Durant's last year there. The Phoenix Suns franchise has had 20head coaches. The Memphis forward sustained the injury Friday night during the 1st quarter of the Grizzlies 113-97 loss to the Nuggets. (Series Stats), Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 6:46PM. Phoenix Suns Arena Are you a sports fan? Blake played in all 138 games during his college career and remains Marylands all-time leader in games started (136) and assists (972) with 200 more assists than second place. The former Pelicans guard is in the midst of his second season as an assistant with the Suns. Agler now is in college athletic . With success comes more attention, which is exactly whats happening for the Phoenix Suns during their deep playoff run. He would replace Stan Van Gundy, who left the Pelicans after just one season. When Suns head coach Monty Williams served as an assistant in Oklahoma City during the 2015-16 season, he saw firsthand the discipline and dedication with which Durant approached basketball . "At the beginning of the season, even last season, Coach . Kevin Durant returned from a 20-game absence for his Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday and he looked like himself against the Charlotte Hornets. Overall, the 6-9 power forward averaged 6.0 points on 52.2% shooting and 4.1 rebounds in 111 games (40 starts) with Phoenix, in addition to 6.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in eight playoff games. The 2021-22 Phoenix Suns season was their 54th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as their 29th season at the currently named Footprint Center, their first full season under that name after taking over the naming rights to the previously named Phoenix Suns Arena on July 16, 2021, during the 2021 NBA As a player, Green made the playoffs in seven of his 12 seasons, including the year in New Orleans -- one of just seven playoff trips the team has made in franchise history. A daily roundup of Phoenix Suns news from Bright Side of the Sun, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Suns add three coaches, promote Kevin Young to associate head coach, Recap: Phoenix Suns pull away from Chicago Bulls, 125-104 road win, Following an Okogie tone set, the Durant-Booker scoring tandem proves to be entirely too much of the Bulls, Suns vs. Mavericks on Sunday promises playoff-level atmosphere, No matter what the players say before tipoff, Open Thread: Suns at Bulls, Durant Part 2, Sign up for the Its a privilege for me to announce our coaching staff, said Williams. Phoenix coach Monty Williams is hiring Bryan Gates as an assistant to replace Willie Green, who left to become New Orleans head coach, sources tell ESPN. NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 09: Willie Green appears at the 7th Annual New York City TopSpin Charity [+] Event at Metropolitan Pavilion on December 9, 2015 in New York City. Er erhielt in Phoenix einen Vertrag bis 2016 und soll die Suns wieder in den Bereich der Playoffs fhren. The members of this staff have combined to win multiple NBA titles, conference titles and NCAA titles, bring significant coaching and playing experience at the NBA level, and recognize the attention to details that create the foundation for successful teams. According to Bleacher Reports Jake Fischer, Suns lead assistant Willie Green has interviewed for three head coach openings with the New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic, and Washington Wizards. Washington is an interesting fit, because they are in win-now mode with some young pieces flanking the dynamic duo of Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook. Apr 21 @ PHI, PHO (42-16) beat PHI, 116-113, 59. Jan 11 @ WAS, PHO (7-4) lost to WAS, 107-128, 12. Following a lengthy playing career in the NBA G League and overseas, Strong entered the coaching ranks as assistant coach with the mens basketball program at Huntingdon College for two seasons from 2016-2018. [4] Cotton Fitzsimmons, Mike D'Antoniand Monty Williamsare the only coaches to have won the NBA Coach of the Year Awardwith the Suns. Most recently the Georgia Tech alum played with the 2021 NBA G League Ignite. Rajakovic received a basketball coaching degree from the Belgrade Basketball Academy in 2004 and a degree in sports management from Alfa BK University in Belgrade in 2006. Frazier, 26, comes to Phoenix after serving as a video/player development assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks this past season, helping the Bucks reach the Eastern Conference Finals. I write about the NBA, NFL, UFC for Forbes.com. 2021-Present Phoenix Suns (Assistant Coach Monty Williams), 2020-2021 Fort Wayne Mad Ants (Assistant Coach Tom Hankins), 2014-2020 New Orleans Pelicans (Assistant Coach Alvin Gentry & Monty Williams), Karen Marrero Prior to his time at Gonzaga, Fois served as a graduate assistant for the mens basketball program at Pepperdine University from 2012-2014. Brooks will serve his 1-game suspension Sunday when the Grizzlies visit the Clippers. The start of the Kevin Durant era mid-season with the Phoenix Suns will be some brilliance mixed with some stagnation. Apr 15, PHO (40-15) beat SAC, 122-114, 56. The NBA Coaches Association (NBCA) is the association that represents basketball coaches in the National Basketball Association. He then spentsix years (2014-20) in New Orleans as he joined the franchise working in player development for Williams. His first coaching position in pro basketball was as head coach of the Shamrock Rovers in the Irish Super League for the 2006-07 season, which followed time as an assistant coach at Utah Valley University and Oxford College. May 11 @ GSW, PHO (48-21) lost to GSW, 116-122, 70. Jan 22, PHO (8-6) lost to DEN, 126-130, 15. Coach Ruffin was born in Denver, Colorado and played for and graduated from the University of Tulsa. Apr 22 @ BOS, PHO (42-17) lost to BOS, 86-99, 60. PHOENIX The Phoenix Suns today announced Head Coach Monty Williams coaching staff, naming Willie Green, Darko Rajakovic, Mark Bryant, Randy Ayers, Larry Greer and Steve Blake as assistant coaches, and Riccardo Fois and Ben Strong as player development coaches. Bryant played 15 total NBA seasons from 1988-2003 with Portland, Houston, Phoenix, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, San Antonio, Philadelphia, Denver and Boston, averaging 5.4 points on 50.0% shooting and 3.8 rebounds in 797 regular season games, and also appeared in 79 playoff games with trips to the NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992 as a member of the Trail Blazers. Now the Liked by Steve Scalzi Experience. Mar 24 @ ORL, PHO (29-14) lost to ORL, 111-112, 44. MICHAEL H. GOLDBERG NBCA COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD, TEX WINTER ASSISTANT COACH LIFETIME IMPACT AWARD. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images), (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images). Activity After years of hard work I have finally completed my mission of becoming a sports agent. Fois, 32, comes to the Suns after spending the past five seasons working for Gonzaga Universitys mens basketball program, elevating to the title of director of analytics. Durant finished with 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting in 27 minutes of Phoenix's 105-91 win over Charlotte before a sellout crowd of 19,137 that saw a glimpse of what the Suns (34-29) could be .