While Mike Budenholzer was the favorite, ESPN and The Athletic announce that the Nets have decided to entrust the reins of their team to Jordi Fernandez, also on the Hornets’ shelves. Mike Brown's right-hand man at the Kings, but also coach of Canada, Fernandez will become the first Spanish coach to become “head coach” in the NBA.
Aged 41, Fernandez will succeed Kevin Ollie, who will not have worked a miracle as interim coach, after taking over from Jacque Vaughn on February 19. Born in Badalona, near Barcelona, Fernandez has an atypical background since he studied in Amsterdam then left doctoral studies in sports psychology to start working in an events agency.
Third in the World Cup with Canada
Finally, despite his broken English, at the age of 26 he accepted an unpaid internship with the Cavaliers. It's 2009. He's going to stay there for four years, and take care of the Canton Charge, the G-League team. It was there that he met Mike Malone, who took him with him to the Nuggets where he would be an assistant from 2016 to 2022.
Often contacted for each vacant position, his career really took off last season when he became first assistant to Mike Brown, and coach of Canada, which he led to 3rd place in the World Cup. “He is going to become an NBA head coach. This is someone who knows the game, who knows how to communicate and connect with players “, predicted his former mentor in Denver, Mike Malone.
It will therefore be in Brooklyn where the work is considerable after a season ending in 11th place. But first, we will meet him at the Olympic Games to coach Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dillon Brooks and undoubtedly Jamal Murray!
