Utah Jazz Assistant Coach Antonio Lang Joining Cleveland Cavaliers Staff
Jun 19, 2019, 3:43 PM
Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) talks with coach Antonio Lang as the Utah Jazz players practice as they prepare to play the Oklahoma City Thunder in game two of the NBA playoffs in Oklahoma City on Monday, April 16, 2018. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Cleveland Cavaliers announced that they have hired Antonio Lang as an assistant coach under head coach John Beilein.
Lang spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz and was promoted to the front of the bench prior to last season.
“It has been a priority of mine to identify coaches who share a common vision and philosophy of teaching the game of basketball and being part of a winning culture,” Beilein said. “Antonio Lang is one of those unique individuals who exemplifies those qualities. He has demonstrated a consistent work ethic and respect for the game that’s easily relatable to players at every skill level.”
“His experiences as both a coach and player in this league and internationally will make Antonio a valuable asset to our coaching staff,” he added. “Success has followed Antonio over his entire career that has been a direct result of his team-first mentality and his love of the game of basketball. This is another great addition to our staff.”
Before he was an assistant with the Jazz, Lang served as the head coach of the Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins in Japan’s National Basketball League for four seasons.
OFFICIAL: Cavs hire Antonio Lang as Assistant Coach.
DETAILS: https://t.co/PDpR8rdSEn#BeTheFight pic.twitter.com/9NkOOeLyvU— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) June 19, 2019
“First, I want to recognize the great opportunity for growth that Coach Snyder and the Jazz organization have provided,” Lang said. “It has been a first class organization to be a part of and I thank them for what has been a great experience. Coming back to Cleveland, a place that I really enjoyed and appreciated when I played here, was a great opportunity as well and one that I felt was a special fit for my basketball journey. Understanding the direction of this team and the specific approach from Coach Beilein and Koby Altman that is being used to work towards our culture, growth, goals and sustained success, was something that I really connected with and believe in. I am greatly looking forward to getting started with our players and my fellow coaches and I am thankful to be back in Cleveland.”
Lang was drafted with the 29th overall pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 1994 NBA Draft. He played six seasons in the NBA with Phoenix, Cleveland, Miami, Toronto and Philadelphia.
He will join the staff that is led by former Michigan head basketball coach John Beilein and will work with former Memphis Grizzlies head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, James Posey, Mike Longabardi and former Cal women’s basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb.
Lang’s son, Alan currently plays college basketball for Weber State.
