The Washington Wizards have named Brian Keefe as head coach. Keefe turns into the twenty sixth head coach within the group’s historical past.
“We’re excited for Brian to turn out to be our subsequent head coach. Brian is a confirmed motivator and connector of individuals,” mentioned Wizards Normal Supervisor Will Dawkins. “As a frontrunner within the group, he’ll proceed to positively develop and make investments into the event of our gamers. His wealth of expertise will assist transfer our workforce ahead as we construct for long-term sustained success.”
Keefe was initially named interim head coach on January 25, 2024, with the workforce seeing enchancment in defensive score, general web score, and opponent three-point proportion over the rest of the common season. Beneath his path, the Wizards held opponents to the second lowest three-point proportion (34.5%) within the league. Earlier than being named interim head coach, Keefe was in his first season with Washington, serving because the workforce’s lead assistant coach.
All through his 16-year NBA teaching profession, he has been influential within the improvement and evolution of the careers of a number of All-Stars, All-NBA, and MVP caliber gamers, with stops in Brooklyn (2021-2023), Oklahoma Metropolis (2019-20 and 2007-2014), Los Angeles (2016-2019), and New York (2014-2016). Recognized for his in depth background in participant improvement, a number of Wizards gamers improved in varied statistical classes beneath Keefe’s steering as interim head coach.
He began his NBA profession as a video coordinator with the San Antonio Spurs in 2005. Throughout his second season, the workforce gained the 2007 NBA championship.
“I’m grateful to Michael [Winger] and Will for the chance to steer the Washington Wizards,” mentioned Keefe. “I look ahead to persevering with to work with our gamers and serving to them develop and develop. As a workforce, we’re dedicated to a collaborative strategy to construct an setting of accountability and exhausting work that enables us to enhance on daily basis.”
As an assistant coach, Keefe has been part of groups which have earned playoff berths on eight events, together with 5 consecutive playoff appearances (2009-2014) and a visit to the NBA Finals in 2012 with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
