The Atlanta Hawks recently announced the addition of Nate McMillan as their new assistant coach who will join alongside current Head Coach Lloyd Pierce.
A veteran in the NBA, McMillan is the former head coach of the Indiana Pacers (2016-2020), Portland Trail Blazers (2005-2012) and Seattle SuperSonics (2000-2005).
“I reached out to Nate after he became available and we’ve had extensive conversations centering around the value, expertise and experience he would add as we look to progress next season,” Pierce said. “This is a unique opportunity that will benefit me, our coaching staff and our entire roster.”
“In his 16 years as a successful NBA head coach, his teams have emulated his playing style and personality. They’ve always been disciplined, competitive, played together and won at a high level. I have great respect for Nate as a man and as a coach, and I feel fortunate to welcome him to our staff and to the Hawks.”
Last season, the Pacers finished 45-28 (.616), second in the Central Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference. In his four years with Indiana, the club recorded a 183-136 mark (.574), advancing to the playoffs each season.
Prior to his 20-year coaching career, McMillan was a point guard for the Seattle SuperSonics from 1986 to 1998.
McMillan was drafted 30th overall by Seattle in the 1986 NBA Draft, after playing collegiately at North Carolina State, spending his entire NBA career with the Sonics before having his number (10) retired.
He ranks second in franchise history in assists and steals, and ranks in the Top 10 in several other categories, and was twice named to the NBA’s All-Defensive team (1994 and 1995), leading the league in steals in 1994-95. He reached the postseason 11 times in his 12 seasons.
After ending his professional playing career in 1998, McMillan was named Seattle’s interim Head Coach in 2000, eventually becoming the team’s permanent Head Coach until 2005, when he took over in Portland.
McMillan has also served as an Assistant Coach on the U.S. National Team, where he earned gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, as well as the 2006 FIBA World Championships.
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced that they have reached an agreement in principle on the start of the 2020-21 season on Tuesday, Dec. 22. The season will feature a 72-game schedule released on a future date.
