Lakers hire former Virginia coach Tony Bennett as draft adviser
lakers-hire-tony-bennett-draft-adviser
The Los Angeles Lakers have brought in longtime college coach Tony Bennett to serve as an NBA draft adviser to president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, the organization announced Wednesday.
Bennett, 56, led the University of Virginia men’s program from 2009 to 2024 and steered the Cavaliers to the 2019 national championship. He finished his tenure in Charlottesville with a 364-136 record, the most wins in school history.
“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,” Pelinka said in a statement. “Tony’s track record of forming culture, with high-character, high-skill and high-IQ players is revered and respected across all basketball circles.”
The hiring comes days after Virginia honored Bennett by naming the court at John Paul Jones Arena after him during a ceremony preceding the Cavaliers’ 86-83 victory over Miami. Surrounded by former players, the coach watched as his signature was unveiled on the hardwood.
A two-time Associated Press national coach of the year (2007, 2018), Bennett guided Virginia to six ACC regular-season titles. Before his run in Charlottesville, he coached Washington State from 2006 to 2009.
“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.”
As a player, Bennett spent four seasons in the NBA from 1992 to 1995, including three with the Charlotte Hornets, after starring for his father, Dick Bennett, at Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Source: ESPN
