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Wes Unseld Jr. has accepted a four-year contact as the next Washington Wizards head coach, sources told ESPN.
The Wizards officially announced the hiring on Saturday. Unseld Jr. will be introduced as the head coach at a press conference on Monday.
Washington officials on Saturday reached a deal with Denver Nuggets associate head coach and agent Brian Eflus on a long-term deal to replace Scott Brooks.
“Wes is one of the most beloved assistant coaches in the NBA and has clearly separated himself from the large and diverse group of candidates that we have envisioned,” Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said in a statement. “His solid background as a tactician in the game as well as his attention to detail on both sides of the ball, combined with his reputation for player development and exceptional character over his 20+ years of training leaves no doubt. on the fact that he was the best choice to take our team to the next level. “
Unseld Jr. grew up in the Wizards organization, working for 14 years in scout and coaching roles before becoming one of the league’s rising all-star assistant coaches.
His return to DC punctuates a remarkable homecoming. His late father, Wes Unseld, is the most important figure in franchise history as a player, coach and executive in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with Washington.
Unseld Jr., spent two days of interviews in Washington DC on Friday, including with owner Ted Leonsis, and received an offer later today to become the franchise’s next head coach.
“I want to thank Tommy and Mr. Leonsis for the opportunity to lead this talented team both on and off the pitch and to continue to move the franchise forward in a positive direction,” Unseld Jr. said in a statement. . “Becoming a head coach of the NBA is a goal that I have pursued all my adult life and fulfilling that dream coming back to Washington is truly special. I look forward to representing the DMV, connecting with our fans and to set a new standard for Wizards basketball. “
He will be the seventh African-American head coach to hire in eight positions this offseason in the NBA. New Orleans is finalizing a deal with Suns assistant Willie Green, and Portland (Chauncey Billups), Atlanta (Nate McMillan), Orlando (Jamahl Mosely), Boston (Ime Udoka) and Dallas (Jason Kidd) have hired African-American coaches. Four of them – including Unseld Jr., Mosely, Billups, and Green – are assistants getting first-time opportunities as head coaches.
Unseld Jr. has spent the past six seasons with the Nuggets, where he was instrumental in one of the league’s most impressive builds from a championship contender. He has helped the franchise improve dramatically as the team’s defensive coordinator.
He replaces Brooks, who was fired after five seasons as head coach. The Wizards have reached the Eastern Conference playoffs, losing in five games to No. 1 seed Philadelphia. Wizards star Bradley Beal has one more year on his contract. Prior to joining the Nuggets, Unseld Jr. had assistant coaching jobs with Golden State and Orlando. He was also a finalist for the Magic Job which went to Mosley last week.
Wes Unseld Sr. passed away a year ago. He was NBA MVP in 1969 and won the NBA Finals MVP title in 1978, leading Washington to its only NBA Championship.
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