Lakers Hire Former Virginia Coach Tony Bennett As A Draft Advisor

Former Virginia coach Tony Bennett, who led nan Cavaliers to nan 2019 nationalist title, has been hired by nan Lakers arsenic an NBA draught advisor to Rob Pelinka, nan team’s president of hoops operations and wide manager. Bennett’s grounds was 364-136 from 2009-24.

“As we refine and build retired our NBA draught and scouting processes, we could deliberation of nary amended hoops mind than Tony Bennett to person arsenic a resource,” Pelinka said successful a statement. “Tony’s way grounds of forming culture, pinch high-character, high-skill and high-IQ players is revered and respected crossed each hoops circles. Tony will beryllium an unthinkable plus to our hoops leadership, to our scouts and to our draught section arsenic a whole. We are genuinely excited.”

Virginia honored Bennett successful a ceremonial earlier Saturday’s 86-83 triumph complete Miami, naming nan tribunal astatine John Paul Jones Arena aft him.

Bennett was nan AP nationalist coach of nan twelvemonth successful 2007 and 2018. He led Virginia to six ACC regular-season championships. He antecedently coached astatine Washington State from 2006-09.

“When Rob and I began talking, what stood retired to maine was nan chance to thief retired specified a storied organization,” Bennett said successful a statement. “The Lakers transportation a contented that speaks for itself, truthful to beryllium connected to it and assistance Rob and nan Lakers successful immoderate measurement I tin is exciting.”

Bennett played nether his father, Dick Bennett, astatine Wisconsin-Green Bay earlier playing 4 years successful nan NBA, including 3 for Charlotte from 1992-95.

Associated Press contributed to this report.