Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. 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. Support local journalism. The Dallas Mavericks have had the Phoenix Suns' number since the tail-end of their playoff series. Jack will join the Suns after a 13-year NBA career as a player from 2005-2018. Last season, Ruffin was an assistant for Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA G League. 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. Congrats, Kevin!Welcome to The Valley, Bryan, Jarrett and Steve pic.twitter.com/J0unPGjF6H. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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) 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. Do Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving offset Suns trouble with Mavericks? At 39, Green would become the third-youngest coach in the NBA behind the Oklahoma City Thunder's Mark Daigneault (35) and the Memphis Grizzlies' Taylor Jenkins (36). Feb 26 @ CHI, PHO (21-11) beat CHI, 106-97, 33. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. 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. (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for TopSpin). 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. Gates joins the Suns following two seasons as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves. An NBA assistant coach since 2009, he also holds experience on the bench of the Sacramento Kings from 2016-2019, a first tenure with Minnesota in 2015-16, five seasons with the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans from 2010-2015 and a first tenure with Sacramento in 2009-10. 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. 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. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 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. 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. This is his first coaching gig. Young joined Williams staff in Phoenix last season. He spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio State before elevating to the programs head coaching position. The Phoenix Suns' starting lineup with Kevin Durant was announced pregame on Wednesday, revealing the team's fifth starter. National Basketball Coaches Association release: Phoenix Suns Head Coach Monty Williams is the 2021 recipient of the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year Award, the National Basketball Coaches Association announced today. Are you a sports fan? 51-21, Finished 2nd in NBA Phoenix didn't have a lottery pick in the 2021 . Mar 28 @ CHO, PHO (31-14) beat CHO, 101-97, 46. Born in Manassas, Virginia, Strong grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. NBCA Director of Communications Both he and Williams worked together in 2018-19 under Brent Brown. In 11 total NBA seasons, he has worked for seven teams that have qualified for the postseason. Feb 24, PHO (20-11) lost to CHO, 121-124, 32. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin. 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. Green remains fourth in program history in career points scored. The Suns have also added Ryan Frazier as head video coordinator. Young and Williams were both assistants in Philadelphia under Brett Brown. Green, 37, joins the Suns following three seasons as assistant coach/player development for the Golden State Warriors. The NBA Coaches Association (NBCA) is the association that represents basketball coaches in the National Basketball Association. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. John MacLeodis the franchise's all-time leader in coaching years and games won, winning the most regular-season and playoff games. 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). 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. Bryant and Williams were teammates together with the 76ers for part of the 2002-03 season. MICHAEL H. GOLDBERG NBCA COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD, TEX WINTER ASSISTANT COACH LIFETIME IMPACT AWARD. Jack joins the coaching ranks after a 13-year NBA career as a player from 2005-2018. 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. 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. The Suns rapid rise will lead to some franchises trying to poach important pieces away wherever they can. At age 44, Ingrid was killed in 2016 when her car was . He played alongside Chris Paul during the 2010-11 season as well. LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 03: New Orleans Pelicans assistant Michael Ruffin before the New Orleans Pelicans vs Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball game on January 03, 2019, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. Mar 26 @ TOR, PHO (30-14) beat TOR, 104-100, 45. Suns head coach Monty Williams has six assistant coaches working under him. Apr 8 @ LAC, PHO (36-15) lost to LAC, 103-113, 52. The Pelicans also have the No. On April 23, 2019, the organization parted ways with head coach Igor Kokoshov after one season - 82 total games coached - with the team. In terms of immediate on-court success, Washington could be the best landing spot for Green. 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. . Monty Williams is the Head Coach of the Phoenix Suns. The Dallas Mavericks have had the Phoenix Suns' number since the tail-end of their playoff series. 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. Assistant Coach: 2021-2022: 2-United States: Brian Randle: Assistant Coach: 2020 . 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 former Pelicans guard is in the midst of his second season as an assistant with the Suns. In two seasons as Tulsas head coach, Rajakovic recorded a 51-49 record and a trip to the G League semifinals in 2013. KTAR. Also named were Jamal Gross. Player development/video coordinator: Corey Vinson. Mar 13, PHO (25-12) lost to IND, 111-122, 39. He worked with Monty Williams during the 2018-19 campaign in Philadelphia. 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 coaching staffs of the Suns and Heat were split among the four teams: Team Worthy, Team Payton, Team Isiah and Team Barry. 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 worked as an assistant coach with the Warriors when the team won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018. 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. 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 Durant, a four-time scoring champion, now sets his sights on Hakeem Olajuwon in 12th place. Rajakovic began his coaching career at 16 years old with the youth teams of Borac Cacak in his hometown of Cacak, Serbia. Ruffinwas anassistant coach/player development coach for his final season with the Pelicans in 2019-20. 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. He is of Native American descent as his father is a member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. The start of the Kevin Durant era mid-season with the Phoenix Suns will be some brilliance mixed with some stagnation. 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. Zuvor war Hornacek fr die Utah Jazz als Assistant-Coach ttig. He most recently coached the Dallas Wings in 2019. 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 . [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 . (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images), (Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). 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. 1 regional seeds in the NCAA tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16 in 1991 and the Elite Eight in 1992. In the 2020-2021 NBA Season, Coach Williams led the Phoenix Suns to a 51-21 regular season record and a 2021 NBA Finals appearance - this was the Suns first NBA Finals appearance in 28 years (1993). 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. 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. His brother, Andy, is also an experienced NBA assistant coach. The Suns are also chronologically the third-oldest team in the NBA to have never won an NBA Championship while having played in the NBA Finals at least once. Won NBA Western Conference First Round (4-2) versus Los Angeles Lakers Feb 20 @ MEM, PHO (19-10) beat MEM, 128-97, 30. Phoenix Suns; Grndung: 1968 Geschichte: Phoenix Suns seit 1968 Stadion: . Gambling problem? 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. 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. Hall of Famers James Worthy, Gary Payton, Isiah Thomas and Rick. [7] He was replaced by Lindsey Hunter halfway through the 201213 NBA season. Mike D'Antoni coached the Phoenix Suns the 20032008, to a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2005 and 2006. 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. 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 . 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 May 4 @ CLE, PHO (47-18) beat CLE, 134-118, 66. He was also with Williams in Portland from 2005-2008. Jan 22, PHO (8-6) lost to DEN, 126-130, 15. 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. Please enter a valid email and try again. 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. Overall, wherever Green eventually lands, hes received rave reviews from Phoenix. Congrats, Kevin!. [1] Founded in 1968, the Suns are chronologically the second-oldest team in the Western Conference. Blake, 39, comes to Phoenix after spending the last two seasons working for the Portland Trail Blazers. Bryant, a former Suns player, returns to Phoenix after most recently spending 12 seasons as an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Agler now is in college athletic . Former Timberwolves player development coach Brian Randle is joining Monty Williams' staff with the Phoenix Suns as an assistant coach, . A native of Olbia, Italy, Fois played professionally in Serie B Basket, Italys third-tier professional league, from 2009-2012. In 2021, Michael Ruffin became an Assistant Coach for the Phoenix Suns. Now the Liked by Steve Scalzi Experience. . On August 7, 2021, Young was promoted to the role of associate head coach for the Suns. 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. Bryant is a native of Glen Ridge, New Jersey. "I just don . His tenure with the Thunder featured a Western Conference Championship in 2012, plus three additional trips to the Western Conference Finals, including in 2016 when Williams was the teams associate head coach. The move was first . Apr 22 @ BOS, PHO (42-17) lost to BOS, 86-99, 60. 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. 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. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. His roles included director of analysis, opposition scouting, and player development coach. [5] Alvin Gentry was named head coach after Terry Porter was dismissed by the Suns after 51 games in 2008. 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. Hired in 2018, Serbian coach Igor Kokokov became the first head coach born and raised outside of North America to be hired as a head coach in NBA history. Dec 31 @ UTA, PHO (4-1) beat UTA, 106-95, 6. < 2021-22. 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. On May 3, 2019, Williams became the 20th Head Coach* in Suns history. 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. 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. Monty Williams current head coach of the Phoenix Suns. Welcome to the Valley. 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. Do you have a sports website? 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. Young played collegiately at Clayton State University prior to his coaching career. 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. There are plenty of learning opportunities that lie ahead for all coaches added to the team. The Magic dealing Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon at the trade deadline signaled them hitting the restart button, beginning from ground zero. Championship +4000, Over-Under During the 2018-19 season he worked alongside Suns Head Coach Monty Williams in Philadelphia. 2023-24 >. Coach Ruffin and his wife, Mistye, have four children (Milaya, Javon, Kalea, & Deionte). Data Provided By 6:07pm: Former Jazz coach Quin Snyder has agreed to become the Hawks' head coach, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports. 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. The Memphis forward sustained the injury Friday night during the 1st quarter of the Grizzlies 113-97 loss to the Nuggets. 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. 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. Brian Agler: A very successful former WNBA coach, Agler won titles with Seattle (2010) and Los Angeles (2016). Prior to joining the Thunder organization, Rajakovic spent three years as head coach of Torrelodones in Spain. [4] Cotton Fitzsimmons, Mike D'Antoniand Monty Williamsare the only coaches to have won the NBA Coach of the Year Awardwith the Suns. 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. Feb 28 @ MIN, PHO (22-11) beat MIN, 118-99, 34. Before his professional career, he was the 2007 NABC Division III Co-Player of the Year at Guilford College. 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. "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. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. Something went wrong. Green, who played in the NBA from 2003-2015, already has a very successful track record as an assistant coach. 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. Join our linker 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. 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. Coach Ruffin was born in Denver, Colorado and played for and graduated from the University of Tulsa. Before entering the coaching ranks, Greer played collegiately at Northeastern University and was the teams captain during his senior season in 1988-89. Feb 1 @ DAL, PHO (11-8) beat DAL, 109-108, 20. Gross joinsthe Suns following two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers as a video/player development assistant while Vinson is enteringhis second season with the Suns. Odds & lines subject to change. Suns starting 5 crushes Bulls in 2nd straight win with Kevin Durant, Suns new dimensions flash in Kevin Durants debut, win over Hornets. This is a BETA experience. The Phoenix Suns are hiring Detroit Pistons executive Josh Bartelstein as the team's new CEO, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported. The deal is expected to be finalized this week. Dec 27 @ SAC, PHO (2-1) beat SAC, 116-100, 5. 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. Riccardo Fois, now an assistant at Arizona, and Ben Strong are no longer on the Suns staff as both were in player development in Phoenix. 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. May 15 @ SAS, PHO (50-21) beat SAS, 140-103, 72. Snyder replaces Nate McMillan, who was dismissed by the franchise on Tuesday. Apr 17, PHO (40-16) lost to SAS, 85-111, 57. Apr 12, PHO (38-15) beat HOU, 126-120, 55. Im November und Dezember 2021 blieben die Suns 18 Spiele in Folge ungeschlagen und stellten . Greer joins the Suns following two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Feb 16, PHO (17-10) lost to BRK, 124-128, 28. Gates served as an assistant coach on Williams staff for each of their five seasons in New Orleans. 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.