logo
Former Tom Izzo and Jud Heathcote assistant coach hired as Phoenix Suns general manager

Former Tom Izzo and Jud Heathcote assistant coach hired as Phoenix Suns general manager

USA Today02-05-2025

Former Tom Izzo and Jud Heathcote assistant coach hired as Phoenix Suns general manager
There are a ton of connections between Michigan State basketball and the NBA's Phoenix Suns, with former walk-on Mat Ishbia buying the franchise in 2023. Now, those connections are growing stronger.
The Suns are moving on from James Jones, who had been the team's general manager since 2019, and are promoting a former Tom Izzo and Jud Heathcote assistant into the position. Brian Gregory will assume the role as the team's general manager, getting promoted from his previous role as vice president.
Gregory got his start in collegiate coaching under Heathcote, spending time on the Spartans bench from 1990-1996 before returning to Izzo's bench from 1999-2003 where he coached Ishbia. He then spent 2003-2023 as a collegiate head coach, spending time with Dayton, Georgia Tech and South Florida.
Following his college coaching career, ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season, Gregory was hired by the Suns as the vice president of player programming. After just one season in that role, he has been promoted as the team's general manager.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jordan Spieth Names Best American Athlete Without Hesitation
Jordan Spieth Names Best American Athlete Without Hesitation

Yahoo

time32 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Jordan Spieth Names Best American Athlete Without Hesitation

Jordan Spieth Names Best American Athlete Without Hesitation originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth is gearing up for one of golf's toughest tests: the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, set to tee off on Thursday. Advertisement As the PGA Tour season heats up, Spieth finds himself in familiar territory, competing among golf's elite, while also weighing in on a question that has ignited debate across sports: Who is the best American athlete right now? In a video posted by the PGA Tour on X on Wednesday, Spieth was among several Tour pros asked to name the best American athlete currently competing. Without a moment's hesitation, Spieth pointed to NBA superstar Stephen Curry, stating, "I mean, I love Steph Curry. Is he the greatest athlete in the world right now? He's probably one of them." With both being flagship Under Armour athletes, Spieth and Curry have a long history together. Advertisement Spieth extended his Under Armour apparel and footwear deal in 2022 to run through 2029, serving as one of the brand's premier golf ambassadors. Curry, meanwhile, has been with Under Armour since 2013, launching his own Curry Brand sub-label in 2020 and starring in joint promotional and charitable events alongside Spieth as cross-sport ambassadors for the company. So, Spieth's endorsement of Curry comes as no surprise. Golden State Warriors star Steph Edmondson-Imagn Images Even still, his pick isn't entirely inaccurate. Curry's haul of four NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022), two MVP awards (including the only unanimous vote in 2016) and status as the NBA's all-time leader in 3-pointers (4,058) already make him one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Advertisement Combine this with a 2024 Olympic gold medal and his transformative impact on basketball, ushering in the era of the 3-point revolution, and Curry's resume argues compellingly for his standing as America's top athlete right now. Related: Phil Mickelson Makes Big Career Announcement on Wednesday Related: Scottie Scheffler Makes Strong Statement After Major Career Decision This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.

David Greenwood, former UCLA star and NBA champion, dies at 68 after cancer battle
David Greenwood, former UCLA star and NBA champion, dies at 68 after cancer battle

Fox Sports

time33 minutes ago

  • Fox Sports

David Greenwood, former UCLA star and NBA champion, dies at 68 after cancer battle

Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — David Greenwood, who was one of coach John Wooden's last recruits at UCLA and went on to win an NBA championship with Detroit during a 12-year pro career, has died. He was 68. Greenwood died Sunday in Riverside, California, after battling cancer, the school said Wednesday, citing family members. After a standout career at Verbum Dei High in Los Angeles, Greenwood began his college career at UCLA just months after Wooden's surprise retirement announcement in March 1975. He averaged 14.8 points and 8.7 rebounds in 118 games as a four-year starter in Westwood. The Bruins had a record of 102-17 and won the league title in each of his four seasons. He was a two-time league player of the year who helped the Bruins to the 1976 Final Four. Greenwood earned first-team All-America honors as a junior and senior, becoming UCLA's first player to do so since Bill Walton in 1972-74. He still ranks fourth on the school's career rebounding list. He was the second overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft. The Chicago Bulls lost the coin toss to the Los Angeles Lakers, who drafted future Hall of Famer Magic Johnson at No. 1, having acquired the pick in a trade with New Orleans. Before Michael Jordan arrived in Chicago in 1984, Greenwood, Reggie Theus and Orlando Woolridge were the Bulls' core players. After six seasons, the Bulls traded Greenwood in 1985 to San Antonio in exchange for future Hall of Famer George Gervin. Greenwood also played for San Antonio, Denver and Detroit, coming off the bench to help the Pistons beat Portland to win the 1990 NBA championship. He was a member of the Pac-12 Hall of Honor and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Last year, Greenwood attended UCLA's final Pac-12 Conference game at Pauley Pavilion. Greenwood later coached at his high school alma mater, leading Verbum Dei to state titles in 1998 and 1999. He is survived by son Jemil and daughter Tiffany as well as his brother Al, sister Laverne and former wife Joyce. ___ AP college basketball: recommended

Puma Unveils Tyrese Haliburton Signature Sneaker Ahead of NBA Finals
Puma Unveils Tyrese Haliburton Signature Sneaker Ahead of NBA Finals

Yahoo

time36 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Puma Unveils Tyrese Haliburton Signature Sneaker Ahead of NBA Finals

NBA star Tyrese Haliburton is one of the major reasons the Indiana Pacers will be representing the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Game 1 tipping off Thursday night on ABC. The 25-year-old Haliburton has not only played exceptionally well throughout this impressive Pacers' playoff run, he also happily embraced playing the role of the trolling villain to rabid Knicks fans under the bright lights at Madison Square Garden. Advertisement While the two-time NBA All-Star has always been a very good player, there probably hasn't been a time in Haliburton's five-year career where his name has been anywhere close to as hot as it's become over the last month. That's probably why Puma, who Haliburton signed a multi-year deal with before the season started, decided to strike while the iron's scorching hot and unveiled his signature sneaker literally hours before the start of the 2025 NBA Finals. This new line of signature Haliburton sneakers have been officially dubbed as The Puma Hali 1. What you're seeing in the above photos is The Puma Hali 1 "Hibiscus," which is reportedly set to release in September. Advertisement However, there won't be any kind of waiting game for Haliburton, who is expected to be debuting the signature shoe in the NBA Finals. "When I signed with Puma the first order of business was to sign a signature athlete," said respected designer Salehe Bembury, who also serves as VP of men's footwear at Versace. "They showed me a list of available and unavailable NBA athletes and told me to choose one to recruit. I chose Tyrese … He is him." Puma seems to have truly caught lightning in a bottle in choosing Haliburton, as he had just left Nike prior to this season. As of now, there has been no confirmed listed retail price for The Hali 1 "Hibiscus." Advertisement Haliburton and the Pacers are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Related: Nike Makes Major Announcement for Sneaker Releases Puma Unveils Tyrese Haliburton Signature Sneaker Ahead of NBA Finals first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 5, 2025

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store