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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The Dallas Mavericks have had the Phoenix Suns' number since the tail-end of their playoff series. Associate. 6:07pm: Former Jazz coach Quin Snyder has agreed to become the Hawks' head coach, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports. The Suns will reportedly hire assistant coach Bryan Gates to reunite him with Monty Williams after being an assistant to Phoenix's head coach in New Orleans from 2010-15. Dec 27 @ SAC, PHO (2-1) beat SAC, 116-100, 5. 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. Data Provided By He has Phoenix ranked in the top 10 in opponents points per game and defensive rating. Start your online subscription. Feb 20 @ MEM, PHO (19-10) beat MEM, 128-97, 30. Scalzi joins the Suns following seven seasons on the coaching staff of the Oklahoma City Thunder. 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. He qualified for the playoffs seven times in his 12 seasons, averaging 5.2 points in 36 career playoff games (12 starts). 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 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. Kevin Durant returned from a 20-game absence for his Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday and he looked like himself against the Charlotte Hornets. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). 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. The Suns rapid rise will lead to some franchises trying to poach important pieces away wherever they can. 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. Its a tremendous collection of bright basketball minds who are also outstanding people, and we are already hard at work.. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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. Jan 1 @ DEN, PHO (5-1) beat DEN, 106-103, 9. 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. 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. [1] Founded in 1968, the Suns are chronologically the second-oldest team in the Western Conference. Philadelphia announced the coaches who will join Doc Rivers this upcoming season. 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. He joined the Phoenix staff at the same time as assistant Brian Randle. Interestingly, all of Phoenix's current assistants joined the team prior to the 2019-20 season -- at the same time . 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. Mar 18, PHO (26-13) lost to MIN, 119-123, 40. The start of the Kevin Durant era mid-season with the Phoenix Suns will be some brilliance mixed with some stagnation. Jerry Colangelo coached the Suns in 1970 and in the 19721973 season. 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. Mar 11 @ POR, PHO (25-11) beat POR, 127-121, 37. His roles included director of analysis, opposition scouting, and player development coach. Gates joins the Suns following two seasons as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Also named were Jamal Gross. I write about the NBA, NFL, UFC for Forbes.com. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Apr 15, PHO (40-15) beat SAC, 122-114, 56. May 15 @ SAS, PHO (50-21) beat SAS, 140-103, 72. 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. He led the ACC in assists per game in each of his final three seasons, and led the NCAA in total assists in 2002. With success comes more attention, which is exactly whats happening for the Phoenix Suns during their deep playoff run. 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. During the 2018-19 season he worked alongside Suns Head Coach Monty Williams in Philadelphia. Apr 12, PHO (38-15) beat HOU, 126-120, 55. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images), (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images). Record: 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. 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. 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). 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) The start of the Kevin Durant era mid-season with the Phoenix Suns will be some brilliance mixed with some stagnation. 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. Ruffinwas anassistant coach/player development coach for his final season with the Pelicans in 2019-20. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Player development/video coordinator: Jamal Gross. 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. 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. 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. 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. The Gates announcement came earlier in the summer following the departure of Willie Green to the New Orleans Pelicans. 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. Born in Hollywood, Florida, Blake completed his high school playing career at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. (Series Stats)Won NBA Western Conference Finals (4-2) versus Los Angeles Clippers Apr 17, PHO (40-16) lost to SAS, 85-111, 57. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. Coach Ruffin and his wife, Mistye, have four children (Milaya, Javon, Kalea, & Deionte). [7] He was replaced by Lindsey Hunter halfway through the 201213 NBA season. 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. Congrats, Kevin!. Paul Westphal has the highest all-time winning percentage with the Suns with a .685 percentage. 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. 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. 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. Player development/video coordinator: Corey Vinson. This is his first coaching gig. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. He has been a NBA assistant coach since 2009 and served on Williams staff for each of their five seasons together in New Orleans from 2010-2015. Zuvor war Hornacek fr die Utah Jazz als Assistant-Coach ttig. Oops. 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. 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. Gambling problem? 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. Maurice Cheeks, Josh Longstaff, John Bryant, Damian Cotter and Billy Schmidt join head coach Billy Donovans staff. Apr 5 @ HOU, PHO (35-14) beat HOU, 133-130, 51. (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for TopSpin). Apr 26 @ NYK, PHO (43-18) beat NYK, 118-110, 62. 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. The Pelicans will announce the hiring of Green after the 2021 NBA Finals. 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. 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.