Lakers add ex-Virginia coach Tony Bennett as draft adviser

LOS ANGELES — Former Virginia coach Tony Bennett, a two-time nationwide coach of the 12 months, joined the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday as NBA draft adviser to president of basketball operations and common supervisor Rob Pelinka.

Bennett was Virginia’s coach from 2009-24 and guided the Cavaliers to the 2019 nationwide championship. Bennett compiled a 364-136 file at Virginia.

“As we refine and build out our NBA draft and scouting processes, we could think of no better basketball mind than Tony Bennett to have as a resource,” Pelinka stated in a press release.

“Tony’s track record of forming culture, with high-character, high-skill and high-IQ players is revered and respected across all basketball circles. Tony will be an incredible asset to our basketball leadership, to our scouts and to our draft department as a whole. We are truly excited.”

Bennett is Virginia’s profession chief in wins.

Virginia honored Bennett in a ceremony earlier than Saturday’s 86-83 win over Miaminaming the courtroom at John Paul Jones Arena after him. With a gaggle of his former gamers by his facet, Bennett watched as his signature was unveiled on the courtroom.

Bennett was the AP nationwide coach of the 12 months in 2007 and 2018. He led Virginia to 6 ACC regular-season championships. I’ve coached at Washington State from 2006-09.

“When Rob and I started talking, what stood out to me was the chance to help out such a storied organization,” Bennett stated in a press release. “The Lakers carry a tradition that speaks for itself, so to be connected to it and assist Rob and the Lakers in any way I can be exciting.”

Bennett performed beneath his father, Dick Bennett, at Wisconsin-Green Bay earlier than taking part in 4 years within the NBA, together with three for charlottefrom 1992-95.