Young served as an assistant coach in his first season with the Suns in 2020-21, helping the team win the Western Conference and advance to the NBA Finals. He was drafted 32nd overall in the 1999 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls and had a nine-year NBA and professional playing career, with stops in Chicago, Philadelphia, Utah, Washington, Milwaukee, Portland, as well as overseas in Spain. 1 regional seeds in the NCAA tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 in 1991 and the Elite Eight in 1992. 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. He worked with Monty Williams during the 2018-19 campaign in Philadelphia. He would replace Stan Van Gundy, who left the Pelicans after just one season. The Phoenix Suns on Friday announced the addition of assistant coach Michael Ruffin, plus Jamal Gross and Corey Vinson to the title of player development coach/video coordinator. Interestingly, all of Phoenix's current assistants joined the team prior to the 2019-20 season -- at the same time . May 9 @ LAL, PHO (48-20) lost to LAL, 110-123, 69. Hall of Famers James Worthy, Gary Payton, Isiah Thomas and Rick. Feb 19 @ NOP, PHO (18-10) beat NOP, 132-114, 29. Zuvor war Hornacek fr die Utah Jazz als Assistant-Coach ttig. 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. On August 7, 2021, Young was promoted to the role of associate head coach for the Suns. At age 44, Ingrid was killed in 2016 when her car was . Call 1-800-GAMBLER. With success comes more attention, which is exactly whats happening for the Phoenix Suns during their deep playoff run. Greer helped the Sun Devils to consecutive 20-win seasons in his first two years in Tempe, including an NCAA tournament appearance in 2014. 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. Coach Ruffin was born in Denver, Colorado and played for and graduated from the University of Tulsa. Find out more. 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. The immediate future seems bright in New Orleans with two young All-Stars in Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. (Series Stats)Lost NBA Finals (2-4) versus Milwaukee Bucks 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. Ruffinwas anassistant coach/player development coach for his final season with the Pelicans in 2019-20. Before returning to the NBA with Oklahoma City in 2015, Greer spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Arizona State University from 2012-2015. 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. Mar 30, PHO (32-14) beat ATL, 117-110, 47. Player development/video coordinator: Jamal Gross. NBCA Director of Communications Born in Manassas, Virginia, Strong grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Five years later, Jeff Van Gundy still gets emotional, recalling the funeral service for Ingrid Williams, wife of Suns coach Monty Williams. He joined the Phoenix staff at the same time as assistant Brian Randle. May 4 @ CLE, PHO (47-18) beat CLE, 134-118, 66. 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. I am now a certified agent in NFLPA, NBPA, FIFA. Pace: 97.2 (26th of 30), Off Rtg: 117.2 (5th of 30) In 2013, moved to the United States to pursue a . Snyder replaces Nate McMillan, who was dismissed by the franchise on Tuesday. Gross spent the last two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers as an assistant for video and player development while Vinson will be entering his second year with the Suns, previously assisting with player development and video. 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. In terms of immediate on-court success, Washington could be the best landing spot for Green. Jan 11 @ WAS, PHO (7-4) lost to WAS, 107-128, 12. 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. Jack played two seasons with Williams as his head coach in New Orleans, teaming with Chris Paul to make the playoffs in 2010-11 and averaging a career-high 15.6 points in 2011-12. The New Orleans Pelicans are nearing completion on a deal to hire Phoenix Suns assistant Willie Green as head coach, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Andrew Lopez. Jan 22, PHO (8-6) lost to DEN, 126-130, 15. 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. [1] Founded in 1968, the Suns are chronologically the second-oldest team in the Western Conference. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. His brother, Andy, is also an experienced NBA assistant coach. Suns reportedly hiring Pistons executive Josh Bartelstein as CEO, Devin Booker wins Olympic gold medal, Kevin Durant leads USA over France, Report: Suns to hire assistant Bryan Gates as Willie Green's replacement, Suns Deandre Ayton questionable vs. Mavericks, Ross probable, Ja Morant says hell get help; video shows apparent gun. The native of New York, New York received his bachelors degree from Northeastern. Event at Metropolitan Pavilion on December 9, 2015 in New York City. The Phoenix Suns on Friday announced the addition of assistant coach Michael Ruffin, plus Jamal Gross and Corey Vinson to the title of player development coach/video coordinator. Have opinion about current state of theSuns? 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. Most recently, Jack averaged 8.9 points in 15 appearances for the NBA G League Ignite during the 2021 NBA G League season held at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida this past February. Monty Williams current head coach of the Phoenix Suns. 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. [4] In his first year as associate head coach, Young became the Suns' acting head coach for a four game stretch in late December/ early January with Monty Williams in health and safety protocols. In two seasons as Tulsas head coach, Rajakovic recorded a 51-49 record and a trip to the G League semifinals in 2013. Do you have a blog? Odds & lines subject to change. Last season, Ruffin was an assistant for Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA G League. He helped Boston University to two NCAA tournament berths, including a school-record 25 wins in 1996-97, and helped Boston College reach the Elite Eight in 1994. 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. 'Whatever seed we are, we're ready': Is there room for Cleveland among the East elite? 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 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. 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. 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. Feb 24, PHO (20-11) lost to CHO, 121-124, 32. Data Provided By New faces will accompany Monty Williams for the 2021-22 season. Igor Kokokov head coach of the Phoenix Suns 20182019. 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. Executive Director of Phoenix Suns Charities: 2018-2019: 5-United States: Blake Pallansch: Manager, The Source: . Congrats, Kevin!. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. The Pelicans will announce the hiring of Green after the 2021 NBA Finals. 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He then spentsix years (2014-20) in New Orleans as he joined the franchise working in player development for Williams. 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. 115.3 (7th of 30) 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. Jan 23, PHO (8-7) lost to DEN, 112-120, 16. Michael Ruffin | The Official Website of The NBA Coaches Association MICHAEL RUFFIN PHOENIX SUNS ASSISTANT COACH In 2021, Michael Ruffin became an Assistant Coach for the Phoenix Suns. The announcement was made this morning by Williams on the Suns podcast, The Outlet, which can be viewed here. Suns assistant Willie Green is ready to be a head coach, but Boston is a bad fit . Young and Williams were both assistants in Philadelphia under Brett Brown. In 2021, Michael Ruffin became an Assistant Coach for the Phoenix Suns. Are you a sports fan? John MacLeod is the franchise's all-time leader in coaching years and games won, winning the most regular-season and playoff games. 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. He averaged 10.8 points and 4.6 assists over 867 career regular season games with Portland, Indiana, Toronto, New Orleans, Golden State, Cleveland, Brooklyn and New York. 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. Learn more and register, Height of bar is margin of victory Mouseover bar for details Click for box score Grouped by Month, 2. 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. In assembling a staff, the goal was simple: identify high-character individuals with high-level experience who will work relentlessly to develop a culture of championship habits here in Phoenix. 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. 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. New Orleans has an enticing core led by Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram that would make any coach giddy to lead them. 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. All thats missing with the Pelicans is stability and internal growth from a young roster. Green also has previous experience in New Orleans, as he played one season with the team in 2010-11, when it was the Hornets. Something went wrong. A native of Olbia, Italy, Fois played professionally in Serie B Basket, Italys third-tier professional league, from 2009-2012. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. He most recently coached the Dallas Wings in 2019. Bryan Gates, Jarrett Jack, and Steve Scalzi have joined the coaching ranks for Phoenix as well. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Also named were Jamal Gross. Dr. A's weekly risers and fallers: Jeremy Sochan, Christian Wood make the list, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West, Sources: Suns' Green front-runner for Pelicans job, S. Van Gundy: Zion was not behind Pelicans exit. Phoenix Suns; Grndung: 1968 Geschichte: Phoenix Suns seit 1968 Stadion: . This was after the team had bid adieu to Jay Triano . Two of those seasons were played under Williams and Gates with Chris Paul in New Orleans. In his role at Gonzaga, Fois handled video breakdown and exchange, evaluated player analytics and assisted the coaching staff with day-to-day program operations. Dec 26 @ SAC, PHO (1-1) lost to SAC, 103-106, 3. Young played collegiately at Clayton State University prior to his coaching career. For his career, Blake averaged 6.5 points and 4.0 assists while shooting 38.3% from three-point range in 870 regular season games (347 starts) with Washington, Portland (three tenures), Milwaukee, Denver, the LA Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State and Detroit from 2003-2016. Rajakovic began his coaching career at 16 years old with the youth teams of Borac Cacak in his hometown of Cacak, Serbia. May 2 @ OKC, PHO (46-18) beat OKC, 123-120, 65. pay top-dollar for . Associate. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. All rights reserved. Its a privilege for me to announce our coaching staff, said Williams. He also holds NBA experience as an advance scout with the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2015-2017, Portland Trail Blazers from 2007-2011 and Houston Rockets from 2005-2007, in addition to a season as an assistant coach for the Trail Blazers in 2011-12. 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 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. Suns head coach Monty Williams has six assistant coaches working under him. Start your online subscription. 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. Prior to being selected with the 41st overall pick by Seattle in 2003, Green was a four-year standout at the University of Detroit Mercy. 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. As previously reported on the HoopsHype podcast, the Wizards also interviewed several other assistant coaches, including Miami's Chris Quinn and former Hornets assistant coach Ronald. Support local journalism. Jack will join the Suns after a 13-year NBA career as a player from 2005-2018. 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. [5] Gates served as an assistant coach on Williams staff for each of their five seasons in New Orleans. 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 coaches. Greer joins the Suns following two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Suns never have been coached by a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. Jan 1 @ DEN, PHO (5-1) beat DEN, 106-103, 9. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Ruffin, 44, was on the New Orleans Pelicans coaching staff from 2014-20. 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. In 2012, the Serbian native initially joined the Thunder organization as head coach of their NBA G League affiliate, the Tulsa 66ers, becoming the first head coach born outside North America in NBA G League history. Apr 17, PHO (40-16) lost to SAS, 85-111, 57. It's hard to place an exact figure since the NBA doesn't disclose coaching salaries. Atlanta will give Snyder a five-year contract and he could be coaching as soon as Tuesday, when the Hawks face Washington. Does that change with two new stars? 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 . 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. 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. Apr 26 @ NYK, PHO (43-18) beat NYK, 118-110, 62. Alvin Gentry coached the coached the Phoenix Suns the 20092013, to a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2010. [1] It is also the last season under Robert Sarver 's ownership group, as he was suspended from league-wide activities on September 13, 2022 . 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. Bryant, a former Suns player, returns to Phoenix after most recently spending 12 seasons as an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder. 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. 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. At the time, the Hawks were expected to conduct a wide-ranging search but . Green, who played in the NBA from 2003-2015, already has a very successful track record as an assistant coach. Before entering the coaching ranks, Greer played collegiately at Northeastern University and was the teams captain during his senior season in 1988-89. He was also with Williams in Portland from 2005-2008. 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. [2][3] The Suns play their home games at the Footprint Center (formerly the Phoenix Suns Arena, American West Arena and the US Airways Center).[1]. Prior to his time on the Sixers coaching staff, Young spent nine seasons as a coach in the NBA G League, including time as head coach of the Delaware Blue Coats, Iowa Energy and Utah Flash. Apr 30, PHO (45-18) beat UTA, 121-100, 64. He has Phoenix ranked in the top 10 in opponents points per game and defensive rating. Bryant, 54, played two seasons with the Suns from 1996-1998, posting career highs of 9.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 55.3% shooting in 1996-97. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Young, who was an assistant coach last season with Phoenix, was an assistant with the Phildelphia 76ers for four seasons prior to coming to the Valley. A 6-11 forward/center as a player, Strong played five seasons in the G League from 2011-2016, averaging 7.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 183 career games with the Iowa Energy, Delaware 87ers, Austin Toros and Westchester Knicks. He qualified for the playoffs seven times in his 12 seasons, averaging 5.2 points in 36 career playoff games (12 starts). 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. < 2021-22. 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. His roles included director of analysis, opposition scouting, and player development coach. "At the beginning of the season, even last season, Coach . 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. 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. He first joined OKC as an assistant coach for their G League affiliate, the Tulsa 66ers. Apr 25 @ BRK, PHO (42-18) lost to BRK, 119-128, 61. Whether Green finds that promotion in 2021 or later on, theres no doubt Green wont be in the assistant chair long under Williams. Coach Ruffin and his wife, Mistye, have four children (Milaya, Javon, Kalea, & Deionte). Young, considered a good coach and even better person, coached the offense in Philly with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. A 13-year NBA veteran as a player, Blake last played in 2016 and entered the coaching ranks with Portland, first as a coaching intern in 2017-18 then as an on-court assistant in 2018-19 where he helped the team advance to the Western Conference Finals. Bryant joined the Thunder franchise in 2007 before the teams final season in Seattle then relocated to Oklahoma City and helped one of the leagues youngest rosters develop into a team that has averaged 52 wins and made the playoffs nine times over the last 10 seasons. Former Timberwolves player development coach Brian Randle is joining Monty Williams' staff with the Phoenix Suns as an assistant coach, . He has since been replaced by former Suns player Jeff Hornacek. Familiarity is very important to Monty Williams. 38.5, Arena: Bryant is a native of Glen Ridge, New Jersey. Apr 28, PHO (44-18) beat LAC, 109-101, 63. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Randle is currently coaching the Summer League Suns in Las Vegas. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. 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 . Championship +4000, Over-Under With two top 10 picks in this years draft, Green being able to install good habits with an extremely young core could finally lead to stability Orlando has craved for years. The start of the Kevin Durant era mid-season with the Phoenix Suns will be some brilliance mixed with some stagnation.