Indian men's basketball team to get NBA level coach?
Reports suggest that National Basketball Association's (NBA) assistant coach Phil Weber could become the next coach of the Indian men's basketball team. According to a tweet by ESPN reporter Mark Stein, the New York resident is being considered for the job. Ranked 53rd in the world, the Indian men's basketball team is currently being coached by Bhaskar Sappaniambalam.
Phil Weber began his coaching career way back in 1984, assisting Norm Sloan to train the University of Florida's tea. Weber was an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns from 1990-2000 to 2007-08, before moving to the New York Knicks in 2008. He has spent 12 NBA seasons as a coach and is known to deliver results for his team.
Phil Weber's addition to the Indian basketball could give a big boost to the game and inspire many youngsters to take up the sport. The popularity of basketball has been on the rise in the past few years after Satnam Singh Bhamara became the first Indian player to play in the NBA. UBA Pro Basketball League has also added to basketball's popularity.
Phil Weber was an assistant coach of the West Team for the 2007 NBA All Star game. Apart from NBA, Phil Weber has worked with the US men's national basketball team during the 2006 FIBA Men's World Championships.
While the new coach for the men's team is yet to be decided, Indian women's basketball team has already finalised its new coach. Zoran Visic was appointed as the head coach and will guide the team for the upcoming FIBA Women's Asia Cup in July.
