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. Igor Kokokov head coach of the Phoenix Suns 20182019. Strong was a two-time All-American, two-time Old Dominion Athletic Conference Player of the Year and three-time all-conference selection at Guilford, leaving as the Quakers second all-time leading scorer. 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 Before his professional career, he was the 2007 NABC Division III Co-Player of the Year at Guilford College. Support local journalism. Alvin Gentry coached the coached the Phoenix Suns the 20092013, to a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2010. 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. 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. Mar 18, PHO (26-13) lost to MIN, 119-123, 40. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Opp PTS/G: [4] Cotton Fitzsimmons, Mike D'Antoni and Monty Williams are the only coaches to have won the NBA Coach of the Year Award with the Suns. He then spentsix years (2014-20) in New Orleans as he joined the franchise working in player development for 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 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 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. 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. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. In 2021, Michael Ruffin became an Assistant Coach for the Phoenix Suns. Feb 22, PHO (20-10) beat POR, 132-100, 31. 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. 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. 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. Are you a sports fan? Phoenix Suns; Grndung: 1968 Geschichte: Phoenix Suns seit 1968 Stadion: . The announcement was made this morning by Williams on the Suns podcast, The Outlet, which can be viewed here. Now the Liked by Steve Scalzi Experience. Head coach: Monty Williams. (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for TopSpin), The Early Returns Of Kevin Durant In The Phoenix Suns Offense, Bayern Munich Remain First But Must Switch Off Complacency Ahead Of PSG Fixture, New England Patriots Reportedly Set To Release Brian Hoyer, Leaving Two In The Quarterback Room, Liverpool Legend Roberto Firmino Reportedly Offers Himself To FC Barcelona, Brock Lesnar Reportedly Finishing Up Current WWE Run, Xavi Speaks On FC Barcelonas Defensive Masterclass Against Real Madrid Ahead Of Valencia Clash, Manchester City Ready To Sell Bernardo Silva To FC Barcelona And Name Asking Price - Reports, FC Barcelona And Real Madrid Presidents Met To Discuss European Super League Strategy Before El Clasico - Reports, According to Bleacher Reports Jake Fischer. In addition to playing under Williams as an assistant coach with Portland for the 2007-08 season, Blake was a teammate of Suns General Manager James Jones. Green, who played in the NBA from 2003-2015, already has a very successful track record as an assistant coach. [5] Alvin Gentry was named head coach after Terry Porter was dismissed by the Suns after 51 games in 2008. Event at Metropolitan Pavilion on December 9, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images), (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). Coach Ruffin and his wife, Mistye, have four children (Milaya, Javon, Kalea, & Deionte). Rajakovic began his coaching career at 16 years old with the youth teams of Borac Cacak in his hometown of Cacak, Serbia. Congrats, Kevin!. 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. Congrats, Kevin!Welcome to The Valley, Bryan, Jarrett and Steve pic.twitter.com/J0unPGjF6H. 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. Prior to becoming a coach in the NBA, Ayers coached collegiately, including eight seasons as head coach at The Ohio State University from 1989-1997. 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. 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. 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. May 9 @ LAL, PHO (48-20) lost to LAL, 110-123, 69. 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. The native of New York, New York received his bachelors degree from Northeastern. Coach Ruffin was born in Denver, Colorado and played for and graduated from the University of Tulsa. Young also served as the Sixers head coach at NBA Summer League in 2018. Western Conference, PTS/G: 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. It's hard to place an exact figure since the NBA doesn't disclose coaching salaries. Agler now is in college athletic . Player development/video coordinator: Corey Vinson. 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. 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. 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. 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. Posted: Jul 22, 2021 / 04:18 PM EDT. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 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. Apr 26 @ NYK, PHO (43-18) beat NYK, 118-110, 62. Greer helped the Sun Devils to consecutive 20-win seasons in his first two years in Tempe, including an NCAA tournament appearance in 2014. Jan 23, PHO (8-7) lost to DEN, 112-120, 16. Gates will reunite with Williams after working for him for five seasons (2010-2015) with the Pelicans. Join our linker program. 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. Before beginning his career as an NBA assistant coach, Gates spent three seasons as head coach of the NBA G Leagues Idaho Stampede from 2006-2009, compiling a 101-51 (.644) record, twice winning the NBA G League Coach of the Year Award and guiding the Stampede to the 2008 NBA G League Championship. (Series Stats)Won NBA Western Conference Semifinals (4-0) versus Denver Nuggets "At the beginning of the season, even last season, Coach . Jan 22, PHO (8-6) lost to DEN, 126-130, 15. Young joined Williams staff in Phoenix last season. Apr 5 @ HOU, PHO (35-14) beat HOU, 133-130, 51. Feb 26 @ CHI, PHO (21-11) beat CHI, 106-97, 33. Assistant Coach: 2021-2022: 2-United States: Brian Randle: Assistant Coach: 2020 . 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. Do Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving offset Suns trouble with Mavericks? Apr 25 @ BRK, PHO (42-18) lost to BRK, 119-128, 61. Maurice Cheeks, Josh Longstaff, John Bryant, Damian Cotter and Billy Schmidt join head coach Billy Donovans staff. Mar 19, PHO (27-13) beat MIN, 113-101, 42. There are plenty of learning opportunities that lie ahead for all coaches added to the team. 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. 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) Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. 2023-24 >. The move was first . Do Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving offset Suns trouble with Mavericks? Scalzi joins the Suns following seven seasons on the coaching staff of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Activity After years of hard work I have finally completed my mission of becoming a sports agent. 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. Net Rtg: +5.9 (3rd of 30), Preseason Odds: 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. Apr 30, PHO (45-18) beat UTA, 121-100, 64. Bryan Gates, Jarrett Jack, and Steve Scalzi have joined the coaching ranks for Phoenix as well. He led the ACC in assists per game in each of his final three seasons, and led the NCAA in total assists in 2002. Looking at 5 key stats heading into Saturday's clash between top East teams Philadelphia and Milwaukee. Ja Morant will be away from the Memphis Grizzlies for at least two games as the NBA investigates a social media post after he livestreamed himself holding what appeared to be a gun at a club. 1 regional seeds in the NCAA tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 in 1991 and the Elite Eight in 1992. Steve Scalzi is coming to the Suns after coaching seven years in Oklahoma City. May 16 @ SAS, PHO (51-21) beat SAS, 123-121, Ranks are per game (except for MP, which are total) and sorted descending (except for TOV and PF); opponents ranked are flipped; year/year calculations are also per game, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. Bryant, a former Suns player, returns to Phoenix after most recently spending 12 seasons as an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the end, New Orleans didn't even make the Western Conference play-in tournament. (Series Stats), Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 6:46PM. He joined the Phoenix staff at the same time as assistant Brian Randle. He averaged career highs of 11.1 points and 7.3 rebounds with Westchester in 2014-15, then was a member of the New York Knicks team at NBA Summer League 2015. Prior to joining Oklahoma Citys organization, Scalzi spent seven years as the director of basketball operations for the mens basketball program at Northeastern University. Pace: 97.2 (26th of 30), Off Rtg: 117.2 (5th of 30) During the 2018-19 season he worked alongside Suns Head Coach Monty Williams in Philadelphia. Feb 16, PHO (17-10) lost to BRK, 124-128, 28. Greer joins the Suns following two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Magic dealing Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon at the trade deadline signaled them hitting the restart button, beginning from ground zero. He worked as an assistant coach with the Warriors when the team won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018. 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. Last season, Ruffin was an assistant for Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA G League. Green, 37, joins the Suns following three seasons as assistant coach/player development for the Golden State Warriors. His brother, Andy, is also an experienced NBA assistant coach. On May 3, 2019, Williams became the 20th Head Coach* in Suns history. The Phoenix Suns franchise has had 20 head coaches. 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. 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. Gambling problem? < 2021-22. 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 Grizzlies say their star guard will be away from the team for 'at least' the next 2 games. 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. Start your online subscription. [5] 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. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Apr 15, PHO (40-15) beat SAC, 122-114, 56. 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. The Dallas Mavericks have had the Phoenix Suns' number since the tail-end of their playoff series. Last month, Phoenix announced the additions of Bryan Gates,Jarrett Jack and Steve Scalzi, all of which have ties to Williams. 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. He served as an assistant coach for the Timberwolves in 2018-19 after working as the clubs advance scout in 2017-18. Jan 8 @ DET, PHO (6-3) lost to DET, 105-110, 10. In 2010-11, Green was a member of Williams first team as a head coach, averaging 8.7 points while appearing in 77 games to help New Orleans win 46 games and earn a playoff berth. Feb 28 @ MIN, PHO (22-11) beat MIN, 118-99, 34. 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. Monty Williams is the Head Coach of the Phoenix Suns. 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. Most recently the Georgia Tech alum played with the 2021 NBA G League Ignite.