LOS ANGELES, Calif. \u2013 Former Virginia coach Tony Bennett, a two-time national coach of the year, joined the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday as NBA draft adviser to president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka.<\/p>\n
Bennett was Virginia\u2019s coach from 2009-24 and guided the Cavaliers to the 2019 national championship. Bennett compiled a 364-136 record at Virginia.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we refine and build out our NBA draft and scouting processes, we could think of no better basketball mind than Tony Bennett to have as a resource,\u201d Pelinka said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cTony\u2019s track record of forming culture, with high-character, high-skill and high-IQ players is revered and respected across all basketball circles. Tony will be an incredible asset to our basketball leadership, to our scouts and to our draft department as a whole. We are truly excited.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bennett is Virginia\u2019s career leader in wins.<\/p>\n
Virginia honored Bennett in a ceremony before Saturday\u2019s 86-83 win over Miami, naming the court at John Paul Jones Arena after him. With a group of his former players by his side, Bennett watched as his signature was unveiled on the court.<\/p>\n
Bennett was the AP national coach of the year in 2007 and 2018. He led Virginia to six ACC regular-season championships. He coached at Washington State from 2006-09.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Rob and I began talking, what stood out to me was the chance to help out such a storied organization,\u201d Bennett said in a statement. \u201cThe Lakers carry a tradition that speaks for itself, so to be connected to it and assist Rob and the Lakers in any way I can is exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bennett played under his father, Dick Bennett, at Wisconsin-Green Bay before playing four years in the NBA, including three for Charlotte, from 1992-95.<\/p>\n
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