Once a Shark, Chris Finch is to be thrown to the Wolves.
The ex-Great Britain boss, who cut his teeth in Sheffield, has been named as the new head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It makes Finch the second former BBL playcaller to earn a head coaching role in the NBA, following in the footsteps of Nick Nurse.
The 51-year-old has been Nurse’s assistant at the Toronto Raptors for the past four months.
President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas confirmed the appointment. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.
“I would like to thank Glen Taylor and Gersson Rosas for this incredible opportunity to be the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves,†said Finch.
“I look forward to working hand and hand with Gersson to build and lead a team that Timberwolves fans will be proud of. We have excellent pieces in place and I can’t wait to get to work.â€
He replaces Ryan Saunders, who was fired on Sunday, with reports suggesting he will earn a multi-year deal.
Previously, he was on the bench as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans, having curtailed his playing career at Sheffield Sharks to move into the coaching ranks.
The Timberwolves currently have a league-worst 7-24 with Finch to take over in time to make his debut on Tuesday, against the Milwaukee Bucks, helmed by former Scottish League star Mike Budenholzer.
Renowned as an offensive specialist, the Ohio native previously interviewed for head coaching roles with a number of NBA teams, including Indiana and Minnesota.
From Humble Beginnings: Chris Finch has had quite a meteoric rise from a playing career with the @SheffieldSharks to coaching with the National team and assistant coach stints at various NBA teams. Per ESPN he is on the brink of taking the Head Coach position at Minnesota! pic.twitter.com/REc2qya27E
— Mansoor Ahmed (@IAmAhmedphotos) February 22, 2021
“Chris brings a wealth of basketball experience from his time in the NBA, G League and internationally,†said Rosas.
“He is one of the most creative basketball minds in the NBA, has success maximizing players, and I am excited to see him bring our team to the next level and beyond.â€
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