Wes Unseld Jr.

Wes Unseld Jr. is an American professional basketball coach who is an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Wes Unseld Jr.
Denver Nuggets
PositionAssistant coach
LeagueNBA
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Career information
High schoolLoyola (Towson, Maryland)
CollegeJohns Hopkins (1994–1997)
NBA draft1997 / Undrafted
Coaching career2005–present
Career history
As coach:
2005–2011Washington Wizards (assistant)
2011–2012Golden State Warriors (assistant)
2012–2015Orlando Magic (assistant)
2015–presentDenver Nuggets (assistant)

Early life and education

Unseld grew up in Catonsville, Maryland.[1] At a young age he developed a close attachment to basketball; his father is Hall of Fame member Wes Unseld Sr. From the age of five he was in locker rooms with his father before games, and after drove home with him. As an adult he remembers "a great family atmosphere in the locker room."[2] He played high school basketball at Loyola High School, Towson, Maryland where he played center at 6 ft 3 in. His skill set as a center did not carry over to the backcourt,[1]as he continued on with college basketball for three years at Division III Johns Hopkins University, graduating in 1997.

NBA career

Washington Wizards

Unseld went directly from college to the NBA, starting as a personnel scout for the Washington Wizards, working for his father who was general manager. He had planned to go to graduate school after graduation, but decided to give basketball one year, to see if he would enjoy it.[3] In his ninth year, after eight years of personnel and advance scouting, he was promoted to assistant coach.[2] Unseld has been given credit for creating Washington's offensive game plan, which led to three consecutive (2004-2007) top-ten offensive seasons.[3] He also worked as a scout and assistant coach for the Washington Mystics of the WNBA.[4]

Golden State Warriors

In 2011, after 14 years, Unseld left the Wizards after being denied a position as a front row bench coach (one of three per team). He was with Golden State for one year.[5]

Orlando Magic

After one season with the Warriors, Unseld went to the Orlando Magic as an assistant coach in 2012.[6] After a 15–37 start to the 2014–2015 season Unseld was fired, along with coach Jacque Vaughn, in February, 2015.[7]

Denver Nuggets

When his lifelong friend, Tim Connelly, became general manager of the Denver Nuggets in 2015, he offered Unseld a job as an assistant coach. In 2016 he was made lead assistant coach.[8] His special assignment had been to manage a defense that had been poor; the Nuggets went from 28th in defense in 2017–2018 to 10th in the 2018–2019 season.[3] He has been credited with the development of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr.[9] In 2019 he interviewed for the vacant Cleveland Cavalier head coaching job, but didn't get it.[10]

Personal

As a player Unseld was "someone who thinks team first," with a good understanding of the game.[1] As a coach he has "an unbelievable work ethic...a grinder,"[3] and has a reputation for developing young talent.[4] He has been described as "personable, pragmatic and possessed of a pedigree that's just about as regal as it gets around any golden court."[9] Unseld lives in Denver with his wife and children.

References
  1. Baker, Kent. "He's not a self-centered center Loyola's Unseld Jr. fits team concept". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  2. "Hopkins? grad Unseld went straight to the NBA". Washington Examiner. April 22, 2006. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  3. A lifelong friendship Retrieved March 24, 2020
  4. Manning, Chris (May 2, 2019). "Nuggets assistant Wes Unseld Jr. to interview for Cavs head coaching job". Fear The Sword. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  5. Digest, Sports. "Unseld Jr. expected to leave Wizards for Warriors". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  6. Dunlap, Evan (August 30, 2012). "Magic Name Assistant Coaches". Orlando Pinstriped Post. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  7. Zillgitt, Jeff. "Jacque Vaughn fired by Orlando Magic". USA TODAY. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  8. "Wes Unseld, Jr., Denver Nuggets, Lead Assistant Coach - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  9. O'Donnell, Jim (August 14, 2020). "Jim O'Donnell: Is Wes Unseld Jr. the curse breaker for the Bulls?". Daily Herald. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  10. Report, Bleacher (May 11, 2019). "Cavs HC Rumors: Jordi Fernandez, Wes Unseld Jr., More Interview for Vacant Job". www.chatsports.com. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
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