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Nate McMillan named assistant coach of Team USA

By Tony East

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 20: (L-R) Assistant Coach Nate McMillan and Brook Lopez #38 of the 2010 USA Basketball Men's National Team talk during training camp at Cox Pavilion on July 20, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 20: (L-R) Assistant Coach Nate McMillan and Brook Lopez #38 of the 2010 USA Basketball Men's National Team talk during training camp at Cox Pavilion on July 20, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Indiana Pacers Head Coach Nate McMillan has been named an assistant coach for Team USA in the 2019-20 campaign.

Team USA has named its assistant coaches for the 2019-20 campaign. The assistants behind Head Coach Gregg Popovich will be Steve Kerr from the Golden State Warriors, Jay Wright from the University of Villanova, and Indiana Pacers head coach Nate McMillan.

The 2019-20 timeframe includes the 2019 FIBA World Cup in the Fall of 2019 as well as the Olympic games in the summer of 2020. McMillan will be present for both as an assistant.

After receiving a contract extension earlier this summer, the good news keeps coming for Coach McMillan. He is joining the truly elite coaching staff and will get to spend tons of time with star coaches and players, which can only be a good thing for both his ability as a coach and his networking with others in the basketball realm.

In Team USA’s news release, McMillan commented on being named an assistant for the team:

“I’m honored and thrilled to be with USA Basketball and the National Team again. My previous experience I figured to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and now I’ve been blessed again. I look forward to working with Coach Popovich and a great group of players.”

The previous experience Coach McMillan is referring to is his time with Team USA from 2006-2012, where he was an assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski. During that span, McMillan helped coach the team to two gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic games.

In the press release, Team USA Head Coach Gregg Popovich commented on the newly named coaching staff:

“I am honored and fortunate to have such gifted coaches share this USA Basketball responsibility with me. Steve Kerr, Nate McMillan and Jay Wright are not just knowledgeable, dedicated individuals, but they exhibit the creativity, tenacity and respect for the game needed to compete in the international arena. I look forward to joining them as USA Basketball attempts to extend the stellar success they’ve enjoyed over the past 12 years.”

Next. Post-Game Grades: Pacers end preseason with a thud in a loss to Bulls. dark

From an Indiana Pacers standpoint, having McMillan connecting with superstars for two consecutive summers can only be seen as a good thing. In a much more macro sense, this is one of the highest honors McMillan could earn as a basketball coach. He deserves praise and congratulations.

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