Perimeter Specialists Recognized as Malone and Cooper Take College Jobs; Agent Explains Vezenkov’s NBA Struggles
perimeter-defenders-malone-cooper-vezenkov
The Athletic’s Fred Katz has assembled an unofficial “All-Perimeter Defense” roster, spotlighting guards and wings often overshadowed on the NBA’s official All-Defense ballots dominated by frontcourt players.
All-Perimeter Defense First Team
OG Anunoby, Knicks – Katz highlighted a matchup against Denver in which the 6’7” forward switched seamlessly among Nikola Jokić, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson and Bruce Brown, helping New York maintain a top-10 defensive rating despite being built around offensive stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Derrick White, Celtics
Scottie Barnes, Raptors
Ausar Thompson, Pistons
Cason Wallace, Thunder
Second Team Headliner
Amen Thompson of the Rockets leads Katz’s second unit, which is available to Athletic subscribers.
Malone’s Six-Year Deal at North Carolina
Newly appointed University of North Carolina head coach Michael Malone will earn $50 million over six years, according to Brian Murphy of WRAL News. Malone, who guided the Nuggets from 2015-2025 and has worked in the NBA since 2003, shifts to the college ranks for the first time.
Michael Cooper Heads to Cal State LA
Hall of Famer Michael Cooper, 70, has been named head coach at Cal State Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. The former Lakers defensive standout previously served as a Lakers assistant (1994-1996), won two WNBA titles with the Sparks, earned 2000 WNBA Coach of the Year honors and spent 14 games as interim coach of the Nuggets during the 2004/25 season.
“I’ve always said it takes five Ds to win a championship: determination, dedication, desire, discipline and decision-making,” Cooper said, adding that those principles will shape his program.
Agent Points to Coaching Rift in Vezenkov’s Short NBA Stay
Sasha Vezenkov struggled in his lone NBA season with Sacramento in 2023/24, a situation his agent Nikos Lotsos attributes to external pressure and a perceived lack of support from then-Kings coach Mike Brown. “Everyone else wanted him except for Brown,” Lotsos told Eurohoops, suggesting the coaching staff’s skepticism prevented the 6’9” shooter from securing a steady role.
Source: Hoops Rumors
