List of foreign NBA coaches

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In the National Basketball Association (NBA), foreign coaches—also known as international coaches—are those who were born outside the United States.

Contents

This list includes all international coaches who have been assistant and/or head coach in the NBA and also includes all coaches who were born in the United States but have represented other countries in international basketball competition.

In 2000, Igor Kokoškov from Serbia became the first non-American to hold a full-time assistant coach position in the NBA. [1] In 2004, he became the first non-American assistant coach to win an NBA championship, and the first to serve on an NBA All-Star Game coaching staff. [2] In 2018, he became the first fully European head coach in the NBA. [3]

List

Note: These lists are correct through the start of the 2023–24 season.

YrsNumber of seasons coached in the NBA
*Denotes head or assistant coach who is still active in the NBA

List of head coaches

Nationality [A] Birthplace [B] Head coachCareer [C] YrsNotesRef.
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Steve Nash 2020–2022 3— [4]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada — Jay Triano 2008–2011; 2017–2018 4— [5]
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States David Blatt 2014–2016 2Born in the United States to Jewish parents, has dual U.S. and Israeli citizenship. [6]
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Mike D'Antoni 1998–1999; 2003–2014; 2016–2020 16Born in the United States to Italian parents, has dual U.S. and Italian citizenship. [7]
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Ime Udoka * 2021–2022; 2023–present3Born in the United States to Nigerian parents, has dual U.S. and Nigerian citizenship. Suspended for the 2022–23 season.
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  SFR Yugoslavia [D]
(now Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia)		 Igor Kokoškov 2018–2019 1Also holds U.S. citizenship as of 2010. [8]
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  SFR Yugoslavia [D]
(now Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia)		 Darko Rajaković * 2023–present2— [9]
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain — Jordi Fernández * 2024–present1— [10]
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon Steve Kerr * 2014–present9Born in Lebanon to Malcolm H. Kerr, a Lebanese-born American citizen. [11] [12]
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Flag of Russia.svg  Russian Empire [E]
(now Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine)		 Eddie Gottlieb 1946–1955 9Born in the Russian Empire, moved to the United States as a child, became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany Kiki VanDeWeghe 2009–2010 1Born in West Germany [F] to a Canadian father and an American mother. Holds both American and Canadian passports. [13]

List of assistant coaches

Nationality [A] Birthplace [B] Assistant coachCareer [C] YrsNotesRef.
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina — Pablo Prigioni * 2018–present5Also holds Italian citizenship. [14]
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia — Adam Caporn * 2022–present1—
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia — Damian Cotter * 2020–present3—
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia — Trevor Gleeson * 2021–present2—
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia — Matthew Nielsen * 2021–present2—
Flag of Belize.svg  Belize Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Marlon Garnett * 2015–present8Born in the United States to Belizean parents, has dual U.S. and Belize citizenship.
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil — Leandro Barbosa * 2022–present1—
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil — Tiago Splitter 2019–2023 4—
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada — Gordon Herbert 2008–2009 1Also holds Finnish citizenship.
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada — Jamaal Magloire 2013–2016 3—
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada — Scott Morrison * 2017–2021
2023–present		4—
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
Flag of England.svg  England 		Roy Rana 2019–2022 3—
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada — Jay Triano * 2002–2008; 2012–2017; 2018–present16— [5]
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  Democratic Republic of the Congo Flag of Zaire (1971-1997).svg  Zaire
(now Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  Democratic Republic of the Congo)		 Patrick Mutombo 2012–2015; 2016–2020 9Also holds Belgian citizenship.
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  SFR Yugoslavia [D]
(now Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia)		 Neven Spahija 2014–2017; 2019–2020 4—
Flag of Eswatini.svg  Eswatini — Jama Mahlalela * 2012–2018; 2020–present9Also holds Canadian citizenship.
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland — Tuomas Iisalo * 2024–present0
Flag of France.svg  France Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States James Wade * 2023–present0Born in the United States, became a naturalized French citizen.
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Flag of Germany.svg  West Germany [F]
(now Flag of Germany.svg  Germany)		 Detlef Schrempf 2005–2007 2—
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Tyrone Ellis 2017–2018 1Born in the United States, became a naturalized Georgian citizen.
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 		— Alex McKechnie 2013–2020 7—
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain
Flag of England.svg  England 		Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Nate Reinking * 2021–present1—
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece — Fotios Katsikaris 2018–2019 1—<
Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Jay Larrañaga * 2012–present11Born in the United States to Irish parents, has dual U.S. and Irish citizenship.
Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Jim Moran 2015–2023 8Born in the United States to Irish parents, has dual U.S. and Irish citizenship.
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Josh Oppenheimer * 2013–2017; 2020–present8Born in the United States, has dual U.S. and Israeli citizenship.
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Mike D'Antoni 1997–1998; 2000–2001; 2002–2003; 2015–2016; 2020–2021 5Born in the United States to Italian parents, has dual U.S. and Italian citizenship. [7]
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Anthony Dobbins * 2018–present5Born in the United States, became a naturalized Italian citizen.
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy — Riccardo Fois 2019–2021 2—
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy — Ettore Messina 2014–2019 5—
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy — Sergio Scariolo 2018–2021 3—
Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Maz Trakh 2010–2014; 2016–2019 7Born in the United States, has dual U.S. and Jordanian citizenship.
Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union [G]
(now Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania)		 Darius Songaila * 2019–present4—
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Ekpe Udoh * 2023–present0Born in the United States to Nigerian parents, has dual U.S. and Nigerian citizenship.
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Ime Udoka 2012–2021 9Born in the United States to Nigerian parents, has dual U.S. and Nigerian citizenship.
Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Shayne Whittington * 2023–present0Born in the United States, became a naturalized Macedonian citizen.
Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine — Mahmoud Abdelfattah 2022–2023 1Also holds U.S. citizenship.
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Chip Engelland * 1999–2000; 2003–present21Born in the United States, became a naturalized Filipino citizen.
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland — Marcin Gortat * 2022–present1—
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Becky Hammon 2014–2022 8Born in the United States, became a naturalized Russian citizen.
Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal — DeSagana Diop 2016–2022 6—
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  SFR Yugoslavia [D]
(now Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia)		 Aleksandar Džikić 2005–2007 2—
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  SFR Yugoslavia [D]
(now Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia)		 Igor Kokoškov * 2000–2018; 2019–2020; 2021–present21Also holds U.S. citizenship as of 2010. [15]
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  SFR Yugoslavia [D]
(now Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia)		 Dejan Milojević 2021–2024 3Died during the 2023–24 season.
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  SFR Yugoslavia [D]
(now Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia)		 Darko Rajaković 2014–2023 9— [9]
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  SFR Yugoslavia [D]
(now Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia)		 Ivo Simović * 2023–present0—
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  SFR Yugoslavia [D]
(now Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia)		 Ognjen Stojaković * 2016–present7— [16]
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  SFR Yugoslavia [D]
(now Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia)		 Nenad Trajković 2010–2011 1—
Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Kristi Toliver * 2018–present5Born in the United States, became a naturalized Slovak citizen.
Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  SFR Yugoslavia [D]
(now Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia)		 Marko Milič * 2022–present1—
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain — Jordi Fernández 2016–2024 7— [17]
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain — Sergi Oliva 2020–2022 2— [18]
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey — Erdem Can 2021–2022 1—
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey — Mehmet Okur 2016–2017 1—
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Flag of the Soviet Union.svg  Soviet Union [G]
(now Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine)		 Vitaly Potapenko * 2010–2011;
2013–2017;
2018–present		10—
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba Octavio De La Grana * 2010–2012
2016–present		9Born in Cuba, moved to the United States at the age of 6, became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica Patrick Ewing 2002–2017 15Born in Jamaica, moved to the United States at the age of 11, became a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Flag of Romania.svg  Romania Ernie Grunfeld 1989–1991 2Born in Romania, moved to the United States at the age of 8, became a naturalized U.S. citizen. [19]
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Flag of the United States Virgin Islands.svg  U.S. Virgin Islands Tim Duncan 2019–2020 1—
Flag of the United States Virgin Islands.svg  U.S. Virgin Islands Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States David Vanterpool 2012–2022 10Born on the United States mainland, represented U.S. Virgin Islands internationally. [20]

See also

Notes

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References

  1. ↑ Magic Name Igor Kokoskov Assistant Coach
  2. ↑ "Jazz Announce Basketball Staff Additions". NBA.com. July 1, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Nets Fire Coach Steve Nash". New York Times. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Jay Triano Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  6. ↑ "David Blatt Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Mike D'Antoni Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Igor Kokoškov Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  9. 1 2 "Darko Rajaković Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Denver Nuggets add Jordi Fernandez to coaching staff". denverstiffs.com. NBA. July 4, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  11. ↑ Silver, Michael (April 7, 1997). "Straight Shooter". Sports Illustrated. Time Warner Company. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Steve Kerr Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Kiki Vandeweghe Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Pablo Prigioni And Tiago Splitter Added To Brooklyn Nets Staff". NBA.com. April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Igor Kokoškov Statistics". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Meet the 2016-17 Nuggets Coaches". nba.com/nuggets. NBA. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Denver Nuggets add Jordi Fernandez to coaching staff". denverstiffs.com. NBA. July 4, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Jazz add Sergi Oliva to coaching staff". nba.com. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Archives". Los Angeles Times .
  20. ↑ "David Vanterpool Profile". PBC CSKA Moscow. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
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