Sixers hire Ime Udoka as assistant coach, team source confirms

The Sixers just continue to pluck from the Gregg Popovich coaching tree.

The team is hiring longtime Spurs assistant Ime Udoka, a team source confirmed to NBC Sports Philadelphia. Shams Charania of the Athletic and Stadium was the first to report the news. 

Udoka will take over as Brett Brown’s top assistant after Monty Williams left the organization to take a head coaching job with the Suns. Brown and Udoka crossed paths when Udoka was a player in San Antonio and were on the same staff for one season.

Udoka, 41, has worked under Popovich since 2012, right after he retired from playing. He spent parts of seven seasons in the NBA with the Spurs, Lakers, Knicks, Trail Blazers and Kings. He also spent a few seasons overseas. Udoka’s late father was of Nigerian descent so he also got to play for the Nigerian national team. 

Udoka coached San Antonio’s summer league teams in 2013 and 2014. He was interviewed for the Cavaliers' head coaching job after the season before Cleveland ultimately hired Michigan coach John Beilein. With Ettore Messina entrenched as Popovich’s top assistant, perhaps serving as Brown’s top guy will help boost Udoka’s profile.

The team has also brought in Spurs assistant Cameron Hodges as a player development coach. With Brown, Udoka and Hodges, Popovich’s imprint is clear on the Sixers’ coaching staff.

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