The Los Angeles Lakers have announced the hiring of former University of Virginia head coach Tony Bennett as an NBA Draft advisor to general manager Rob Pelinka.
Bennett was a three-time National Coach of the Year at Virginia and Washington State University, but is most known for his time with the Cavaliers whom he led to a national championship in 2019. He is UVA’s all-time leader in coaching victories and is one of just three coaches to be named ACC Coach of the Year four times, along with Mike Krzyzewski and Dean Smith.
“We’re thrilled and honored to welcome Tony as an advisor to the Lakers basketball operations department,” Pelinka said. “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. 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.”
With Mark Walter officially taking over as owner of the Lakers, it has been spoken about that the franchise would be undergoing some organizational changes and really building out their front office under Pelinka and Bennett represents a great addition to an important piece of the puzzle in drafting the right players.
“When Rob and I began talking, what stood out to me was the chance to help out such a storied organization,” Bennett said. “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 is exciting.”
Bennett compiled a .719 win percentage over 18 seasons at Washington State and Virginia, producing 13 players who would go on to be drafted Klay Thompson, De’Andre Hunter and Malcolm Brogdon. Prior to getting into coaching Bennett was the 35th overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft and played four seasons in the NBA, three of those coming with the Charlotte Hornets.
Lon Rosen outlines Magic Johnson’s involvement with Lakers
The Lakers also made another big hire with Lon Rosen taking over as President of Business Operations. Rosen has ties with the Lakers and specifically the legendary Magic Johnson whom Rosen says will be around the team, but won’t have any day-to-day involvement.
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