Finch, who left Belgian club Dexia Mons-Hainaut last September to take up his new role with Vipers, who are a feeder team for NBA side Houston Rockets, has guided the team to their first-ever playoff berth by winning Western Conference championship.

Finch will be honoured before tonight's second game of a best-of-three league semi-final series between the Vipers and the Austin Toros.

Austin leads the series1-0.

Finch said: "I’m very honored to receive this award and, as with any individual reward, it’s a reflection on everyone else around you – from our assistants to our players to our ownership and management, both locally and in Houston."

The Vipers were 34 of their 50 matches in the regular season.

The Vipers also had five players called up to the NBA.

Finch is due to return to Britain this summer to coach Britain's team as they continue preparations for the London 2012 Olympics.

Gersson Rosas, the Vipers general manager, said: "As an organisation, we are very fortunate to have Chris as our head coach, an we appreciate his commitment and dedication to the success of this team.

"Chris and his staff served as the foundation for the most successful season in Vipers history, as they led the team to its first Western Conference title and its first playoff season.

"Chris is a very talented individual and his ability to come into a new league and have the type of success he's had speaks highly of his capacity to direct our team both on and off the floor."


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