During the 2018-19 season he worked alongside Suns Head Coach Monty Williams in Philadelphia. He led the ACC in assists per game in each of his final three seasons, and led the NCAA in total assists in 2002. Feb 26 @ CHI, PHO (21-11) beat CHI, 106-97, 33. Apr 17, PHO (40-16) lost to SAS, 85-111, 57. (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for TopSpin). Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. In 2013, moved to the United States to pursue a . 38.5, Arena: Feb 19 @ NOP, PHO (18-10) beat NOP, 132-114, 29. 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. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. The Thunder averaged 49 wins in his five seasons as an assistant coach with four playoff appearances, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2016 when he shared the bench with Williams and Bryant. Young and Williams were both assistants in Philadelphia under Brett Brown. 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. 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. All rights reserved. Suns starting 5 crushes Bulls in 2nd straight win with Kevin Durant, Suns new dimensions flash in Kevin Durants debut, win over Hornets, Kevin Durant gives strong 1st impression to Suns with 23 points in win, Josh Okogie gets Suns 5th starter nod alongside debuting Kevin Durant. 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. Jan 18 @ MEM, PHO (7-5) lost to MEM, 104-108, 13. 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 . 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. May 5 @ ATL, PHO (47-19) lost to ATL, 103-135, 68. Carlesimo-coached Pirates to their first-ever NCAA tournament berth. Record: [4] Cotton Fitzsimmons, Mike D'Antoniand Monty Williamsare the only coaches to have won the NBA Coach of the Year Awardwith the Suns. 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. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Suns assistant Willie Green is ready to be a head coach, but Boston is a bad fit . Strong, 32, joins the Suns after spending the 2018-19 season in player development for the Philadelphia 76ers where he worked alongside Williams to help the Sixers reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Scalzi joins the Suns following seven seasons on the coaching staff of the Oklahoma City Thunder. 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. Its a privilege for me to announce our coaching staff, said Williams. I write about the NBA, NFL, UFC for Forbes.com. Paul Westphal has the highest all-time winning percentage with the Suns with a .685 percentage. Apr 12, PHO (38-15) beat HOU, 126-120, 55. 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 joining the Thunder organization, Rajakovic spent three years as head coach of Torrelodones in Spain. Stay in the know. Mar 18, PHO (26-13) lost to MIN, 119-123, 40. In 2011-12, served as a seasonal assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Tokai men's basketball, the year the team won a national title. When he first moved to the United States, Fois played one season at Pepperdine in 2007-08 and was named to the WCC Commissioners Honor Roll. 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. Assistant Coach: 2021-2022: 2-United States: Brian Randle: Assistant Coach: 2020 . Suns starting 5 crushes Bulls in 2nd straight win with Kevin Durant, Suns new dimensions flash in Kevin Durants debut, win over Hornets. 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. [1] Founded in 1968, the Suns are chronologically the second-oldest team in the Western Conference. Player development/video coordinator: Jamal Gross. 1 regional seeds in the NCAA tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 in 1991 and the Elite Eight in 1992. E-Mail: karen.marrero@nbacoaches.com. Whether Green finds that promotion in 2021 or later on, theres no doubt Green wont be in the assistant chair long under Williams. Championship +4000, Over-Under 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. 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. Data Provided By The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. 'Whatever seed we are, we're ready': Is there room for Cleveland among the East elite? Jeff Hornacek coached the Phoenix Suns the 20132016. 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. 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. Apr 5 @ HOU, PHO (35-14) beat HOU, 133-130, 51. He led the ODAC by averaging 25.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks as a senior and, as a junior, set the single-game NCAA Division III tournament record with 59 points in a triple-overtime victory. Zuvor war Hornacek fr die Utah Jazz als Assistant-Coach ttig. Western Conference, PTS/G: They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Pelicans also have the No. 115.3 (7th of 30) 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. Steve Scalzi is coming to the Suns after coaching seven years in Oklahoma City. 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. 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. In terms of immediate on-court success, Washington could be the best landing spot for Green. Looking at 5 key stats heading into Saturday's clash between top East teams Philadelphia and Milwaukee. Updated: 4:47 PM MST September 24, 2021 PHOENIX Michael Ruffin will be joining the Phoenix Suns as an assistant coach, the organization announced Friday. 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. Find out more. With success comes more attention, which is exactly whats happening for the Phoenix Suns during their deep playoff run. Do Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving offset Suns trouble with Mavericks? 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. In two seasons as Tulsas head coach, Rajakovic recorded a 51-49 record and a trip to the G League semifinals in 2013. Posted: Jul 22, 2021 / 04:18 PM EDT. 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. 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. Do you have a sports website? Oops. The Phoenix Suns' starting lineup with Kevin Durant was announced pregame on Wednesday, revealing the team's fifth starter. May 4 @ CLE, PHO (47-18) beat CLE, 134-118, 66. Rajakovic (pronounced RYE-ahk-oe-vich), 40, comes to the Suns after seven seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder organization, spending the last five as an assistant coach. Green served as the Warriors head coach for NBA Summer League in 2018, both in Las Vegas and at the inaugural California Classic in Sacramento where he led Golden State to the events only perfect 3-0 record. Young played collegiately at Clayton State University prior to his coaching career. The move was first . Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin. A graduate of Boise State University, Gates also has experience as an assistant coach in the G League and as head coach of the Oklahoma Storm in the United States Basketball League, Hickory Nutz in the Carolinas Basketball League and Beirut Blues Stars in the Lebanese Basketball League. Two of those seasons were played under Williams and Gates with Chris Paul in New Orleans. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. 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. Mar 11 @ POR, PHO (25-11) beat POR, 127-121, 37. 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. MICHAEL H. GOLDBERG NBCA COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD, TEX WINTER ASSISTANT COACH LIFETIME IMPACT AWARD. New faces will accompany Monty Williams for the 2021-22 season. The coaching staffs of the Suns and Heat were split among the four teams: Team Worthy, Team Payton, Team Isiah and Team Barry. Most recently the Georgia Tech alum played with the 2021 NBA G League Ignite. [6] Gentry left the Phoenix Suns under mutual agreement to part ways on January 18, 2013. May 9 @ LAL, PHO (48-20) lost to LAL, 110-123, 69. Prior to joining Oklahoma Citys organization, Scalzi spent seven years as the director of basketball operations for the mens basketball program at Northeastern University. The Suns have also added Ryan Frazier as head video coordinator. In addition to his time at ASU, Greers coaching background includes serving as a college assistant coach at Wright State University (2003-2005), Boston University (1994-2003) and Brandeis University (1989-1992), in addition to working as recruiting coordinator at Boston College from 1992-1994. Prior to joining the Thunders coaching staff, Bryant served as assistant coach/player development with the Orlando Magic from 2005-2007 and his first coaching job was as a member of the Dallas Mavericks player development staff in 2004-05. The way Green has been able to relate to players, while also keeping them in line with great fundamental tutelage, is a solid base to become a future NBA head coach. All of the franchises Green has interviewed with were all in the same position as Phoenix two seasons ago. Player development/video coordinator: Corey Vinson. Event at Metropolitan Pavilion on December 9, 2015 in New York City. Join our linker program. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Last month, Phoenix announced the additions of Bryan Gates,Jarrett Jack and Steve Scalzi, all of which have ties to Williams. 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 Coach Ruffin was born in Denver, Colorado and played for and graduated from the University of Tulsa. There are plenty of learning opportunities that lie ahead for all coaches added to the team. Gates served as an assistant coach on Williams staff for each of their five seasons in New Orleans. 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. 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. 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. Blake, 39, comes to Phoenix after spending the last two seasons working for the Portland Trail Blazers. 2023-24 >. The deal is expected to be finalized this week. All thats missing with the Pelicans is stability and internal growth from a young roster. Er erhielt in Phoenix einen Vertrag bis 2016 und soll die Suns wieder in den Bereich der Playoffs fhren. Does that change with two new stars? The Pelicans will announce the hiring of Green after the 2021 NBA Finals. Feb 3 @ NOP, PHO (11-9) lost to NOP, 101-123, 27. [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]. A native of Olbia, Italy, Fois played professionally in Serie B Basket, Italys third-tier professional league, from 2009-2012. Following a decorated collegiate career, Blake was the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft. 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. 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. 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. Feb 16, PHO (17-10) lost to BRK, 124-128, 28. Def Rtg: 111.3 (9th of 30) Fois was an assistant coach for Italys national team at FIBA EuroBasket 2017, serving on the staff of Ettore Messina, one of the best European basketball coaches of all time and currently an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs. Mar 26 @ TOR, PHO (30-14) beat TOR, 104-100, 45. Activity After years of hard work I have finally completed my mission of becoming a sports agent. 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. 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. For part of his tenures with both the Thunder and Trail Blazers, Greer served as the advance scout for coaching staffs that included Williams. The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. He was the Big Ten Coach of the Year in both seasons and was the consensus national coach of the year for 1990-91. 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. 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. 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. Learn more and register, Height of bar is margin of victory Mouseover bar for details Click for box score Grouped by Month, 2. On August 7, 2021, Young was promoted to the role of associate head coach for the Suns. Apr 22 @ BOS, PHO (42-17) lost to BOS, 86-99, 60. John MacLeod is the franchise's all-time leader in coaching years and games won, winning the most regular-season and playoff games. "I just don . The full coaching staff is listed below as Phoenix opens training camp Tuesday following a run to the NBA Finals that ended losing to the Milwaukee Bucks. May 2 @ OKC, PHO (46-18) beat OKC, 123-120, 65. The Phoenix Suns franchise has had 20 head coaches. 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. He has Phoenix ranked in the top 10 in opponents points per game and defensive rating. Orlando is beginning their rebuild officially after toiling around for years in limbo. 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.