PHOENIX SUNS

Report: Suns coach Monty Williams on Steve Kerr’s USA Basketball coaching staff

Dec 10, 2021, 12:29 PM | Updated: 12:35 pm

Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams will be an assistant on the USA Basketball staff led by head coach Steve Kerr, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Kerr served as an assistant under and now replaces head coach Gregg Popovich, who led the Americans to an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo this past summer.

Kerr’s refreshed staff includes Williams, who like Kerr played in San Antonio for Popovich. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Gonzaga head coach Mark Few are also assistants, according to Wojnarowski.

That coaching staff will lead Team USA starting with the 2023 World Cup and then the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

The connections between the USA Basketball program and the Suns run deep.

USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill played in Phoenix from 2007-12, where Kerr served as general manager from 2004-10. Kerr becomes Hill’s first major decision after taking over for Jerry Colangelo, the former leader of the national team and former owner of the Suns.

As for Williams, this isn’t his first time coaching for USA Basketball, as he was on head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s staff that won the 2016 gold in Rio de Janeiro. Moving forward, he could be on staff of a team that features one of his current Suns players.

Devin Booker joined the Tokyo Olympic team after Phoenix’s NBA Finals run this past season and played a significant role for the Americans.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

New York Knicks' Josh Hart reacts during the second half of Game 6 in an NBA basketball first-round...

Associated Press

Knicks advance past Sixers to reach Eastern Conference semifinals

Josh Hart hit the go-ahead 3-pointer to move the New York Knicks past the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 6 of the first round.

2 hours ago

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, right, gets a hug from teammate James Johnson after Game 6 ag...

Associated Press

Pacers knock out Bucks in 6 for 1st playoff-series win in a decade

The Indiana Pacers won a playoff series for the first time in a decade, beating the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 on Thursday night.

4 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Why are the Phoenix Suns being so elusive?

The Phoenix Suns held a press conference Wednesday for owner Mat Ishbia and general manager James Jones, and Dan Bickley can't help but ponder why the organization is being so elusive about tabout the future of head coach Frank Vogel.

11 hours ago

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)...

Kellan Olson

Suns remain confident, paint picture beyond bleak end to season

The Phoenix Suns officially concluded the 2023-24 season with a strange end-of-season availability for Mat Ishbia and James Jones.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Optimistic about the Phoenix Suns? Mat Ishbia and James Jones are, but why?

Burns & Gambo react to the optimism of Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia and general manager James Jones following their Wednesday press conference.

1 day ago

Mat Ishbia faces critical offseason after the Suns disappointing finish to the 2023-24 NBA season....

Kevin Zimmerman

Mat Ishbia says he hasn’t discussed Suns coach Frank Vogel’s future

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia didn't issue a statement of support or confirmation that Frank Vogel will return for a second season in charge.

1 day ago

Report: Suns coach Monty Williams on Steve Kerr’s USA Basketball coaching staff