Choosing the coach to take care of the young talent in the Summer League is not a decision that is taken lightly. It must be said that the Summer League is a first step into the NBA universe.
This is the time to join a professional group for those coming from NCAA and a first meeting with the future coaching staff. But coaches can also develop during the summer leagues.
“You look at the people on your team who you think are in a position where taking on that responsibility will help them in the future,” explains Will Hardy. “It helps you as an assistant coach and it potentially helps you in the future by getting a feel for what a head coaching role could be. It’s an opportunity I had when I was a young assistant and I feel like it helped me grow a lot. More than anything, it helped me become a better assistant to Pop (Gregg Popovich).”
A promotion for Sean Sheldon
So, the Jazz coach never missed a chance to give his assistants the opportunity to practice during the summer. He first trusted Evan Bradds in 2023, then in Sean Sheldonlast month.
“Both Sean and Evan have demonstrated the qualities needed to take on this role”he believes. Summer League is not something we take lightly, especially given where our program is at, with all of our young players. I think both of those guys have each done an incredible job in their Summer League responsibilities – kind of giving our young players a foundation. »
Sean Sheldon has even moved up a gear for next season. The 31-year-old coach will be closer to Will Hardy on the bench, and he should become more important in the group. If he is already assigned to work with Lauri Markkanen, while he is also on the Finnish selection staff, he will also have to create a relationship with the rest of the group. As he did with Keyonte George during the Summer League.
“You want assistants to build relationships with all the players”says Will Hardy. “Obviously, during the season, everybody has responsibilities so we can just function day to day. But I don’t want the staff to feel separated from the players, and I don’t want the players to feel like they can’t approach everyone on the staff. Trust is built over time, and those relationships that come from Summer League are really important.”
