Luke Walton to join Memphis Tigers coaching staff
Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton is about to land a job during the NBA lockout as a college assistant coach for the Memphis Tigers. Memphis coach Josh Pastner found a win-win situation when he hired the Lakers’ Luke Walton as his third assistant coach, writes Eamonn Brennan. Blog
Walton, 31, has two years remaining on his contract with the Lakers and would remain a Memphis coach until the NBA season resumes, according to the school. Memphis coach Josh Pastner has recommended Walton join the staff, and his hiring is pending approval of the University and Tennessee State Board of Regents.
Before being drafted by the Lakers and spending eight seasons with the team, Walton led Arizona to an Elite Eight appearance during his senior year in 2003 while Pastner was an assistant coach under Lute Olson.
“I didn’t coach or play in the NBA so I wanted to add someone who did,” Pastner told ESPN.com’s Andy Katz on Monday. “Luke has learned under one of the greatest coaches in Phil Jackson and played alongside Kobe Bryant.
“The risk is if the lockout ends early but I’m willing to take the risk to give our guys the best chance to win and Luke does that. He has won two rings and been in four NBA Finals.”http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/6885825/los-angeles-lakers-luke-walton-memphis-tigers-bench-lockout
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