The Brooklyn Nets have named Kenny Atkinson as their next head coach, according to a release from the team.
“We are thrilled to announce Kenny Atkinson as our new head coach and to welcome him and his family to Brooklyn,” Nets general manager Sean Marks said. “Kenny’s years of NBA coaching experience working under successful head coaches such as Mike Budenholzer and Mike D’Antoni have provided him with the foundation and experience we were looking for in a head coach.
"We believe that Kenny’s core principles, leadership, communication skills and exceptional background in player development make him an ideal fit for the culture we are building in Brooklyn.”
Atkinson has been an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks since 2012, and will continue there until the conclusion of their postseason. Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer released this statement following the Nets' announcement.
“I’m very happy for Kenny and excited that he’s earned the opportunity to be a head coach. His competitiveness, knowledge and feel for the game, and passion for player development are all at a high level and will serve him well as a head coach. With him and Sean in place, the Nets have a very strong foundation to build on.”
Atkinson was an assistant coach for the New York Knicks (2008-12) before joining the Hawks' staff. He also served as part of the 2015 NBA All-Star coaching staff for the Eastern Conference, as well as Team World in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge that year.
This will be his first NBA head coaching job.
"While I am eager to begin working with the Nets, I remain committed to my coaching responsibilities with the Hawks for the remainder of the postseason," he said.
The Hawks are currently up 1-0 in the first-round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Nets finished their season with a 21-61 record. They fired coach Lionel Hollins in January, and Tony Brown took over the interim head coaching duties.
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