Jordi Fernandez, assistant coach of the Sacramento Kings, became tonight (between Wednesday and Thursday) the first Spanish coach in history to manage a game in the NBA, after Mike Brown, the head coach, received two technical fouls and was sent off.
The 39-year-old coach led the team to a dramatic victory over the Toronto Raptors and won great respect in Spain.
The star of the team, Domantes Sabonis, said of the coach: "He took the opportunity with both hands and it was fun to see. He does a very good job. In defense, he always tells us where to be. He is the head coach in defense and that's how we win games."
Celebrating Jordi's first W!
🍾 #BeamTeam |
#SacramentoProud pic.twitter.com/vfTc3JIGwg
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) December 15, 2022
Fernandez, who previously also worked as an assistant coach for the Spanish national team, started his career in the United States as a development coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and also worked with LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal. After that, he was part of the professional staff of the Denver Nuggets for 6 seasons, until he joined Sacramento last summer as an assistant coach main.
Fernandes is considered friendly with Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola and previously said: "I had the pleasure of meeting Pep during the finals in Cleveland in 2016. I have a lot of admiration for him because he is one of the best coaches in our country and in the world. I think all team sports have aspects To share from the point of view of group management".
Fernandez and Pep in the final, photo: Twitter
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