Mike D'Antoni, Ime Udoka joining Steve Nash's coaching staff with Nets

Nash played under D'Antoni in Phoenix from 2004-2008

10/30/2020, 1:50 PM
Sep 2, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni reacts during the first half of game seven of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. / © Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni reacts during the first half of game seven of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. / © Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Former Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni and Philadelphia 76ers assistant coach Ime Udoka are joining the Nets coaching staff under Steve Nash, the team announced Friday afternoon.

"We’ve assembled an experienced staff of high-character individuals with varied backgrounds, both on and off the court, that will help create a solid foundation for me and our players," Nash said in press release. "When I set out to build this staff, I wanted to put together a committed group that would connect with our players and help put them in the best position to succeed as a team. With coaching and playing experience at the highest level and a deep background in player development, I’m confident that we’ve put the right people in place to lead us forward."

Jacque Vaughn will be Nash's lead assistant after spending time as the Nets' interim head coach last season, so D'Antoni will take the next seat after him.

D'Antoni has held several head coaching positions across the league, most notably as Nash's head coach with the Phoenix Suns from 2004-2008. Together, they ran the infamous "seven seconds or less offense," which took the league by storm and saw Nash win two assist titles and two league MVPs.

Udoka was a lead assistant with the Sixers under former head coach Brett Brown. He spent the seven years before that on Gregg Popovich's staff with the San Antonio Spurs — winning an NBA championship in 2014.

Nash continues to add pieces to his coaching staff, having brought on former teammate Amar'e Stoudemire last week. D'Antoni also coached Stoudemire with the Suns and Knicks.

Together, this strong group will look to lead Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Co. to an NBA championship.

News of the Nets adding D'Antoni and Udoka to the staff was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN and confirmed by SNY's Ian Begley.

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