The American coach has been involved in the NBA since 1996 when he joined the San Antonio Spurs as an assistant video coordinator before being promoted to the position of assistant coach in 2002, winning the NBA Championship with the team in 2003.

He went on to oversee back-to-back 50 win seasons for the first time in 10 years when he joined the coaching setup at the Portland Trail Blazers, as well as their first playoff appearances in five years, before successful spells with the Dallas Mavericks and the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2008.

Despite his lack of international experience, Prunty has been long-rumoured to take over as Great Britain's head coach.

Former Cavaliers coach Byron Scott, who was fired in mid-April, chose not to speculate when asked about the rumours that Prunty would join the British set-up in March, but he did offer high-praise his assistant coach.

NBA assistant coach Joe Prunty has been appointed as the new head coach for Great Britain's men's squad

"I just know Joe's one of the best coaches I've ever worked with," he said.

Prunty's first task as British head coach will be leading the side to the EuroBasket in Slovenia this September, where they will face Ukraine, France, Germany, Israel and Belgium in Group A.

"It is truly an honour to be appointed as Head Coach of the Great Britain men's national team." said Prunty.

"Every person I have spoken with has shown tremendous passion and enthusiasm for the programme.

"This is an important time for GB Basketball and the opportunity for all of us is extremely exciting heading into EuroBasket 2013.

"I am grateful to all the people involved who have entrusted me with this position.

"I am looking forward to working with the players, coaches, and staff members who comprise the GB family."

Bill Beswick (left), shown working with former Middlesbrough and England manager Steve McClaren, has joined the GB Basketball setup as a sports psychologist

Along with the appointment of the new head coach comes a new-look backroom set-up for British Basketball, with numerous new staff members joining the up-and-coming programme.

Sports psychologist Bill Beswick, who has previously worked with former European champions Manchester United, Middlesbrough and the England national football and rugby team, joins as performance psychologist.

Beswick also has a strong basketball background, serving as head coach of the England national basketball team that took bronze at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Former England Rugby national fitness coach and UK Athletics strength and conditioning coach Calvin Morriss joins in the same role he held at UK Athletics, Mark Gillett returns to his post as head of science and medicine while Fraser McKinney also comes back to the team as physiotherapist.

Under-20's team manager Mark Lloyd has also been promoted to the same position for the senior men's team.

British Basketball's national teams director, Warwick Cann, commented on the new staff line-up: "We are aiming for a first class programme which enables players to perform at their very best.

"Recruitment of good staff has been central to what we are building."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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