Prunty succeeds Chris Finch as Head Coach of the senior men’s side and has been announced alongside a number of new appointments in team staff to lead the side through EuroBasket 2013 and onwards working towards qualification for Rio 2016. The coaching team will be completed in due course.

As Assistant Coach at NBA side the Cleveland Cavaliers, Prunty brings many years’ of experience in the NBA to a fresh line up of GB men’s staff. He has been involved in the NBA since 1996, working with the San Antonio Spurs, the Portland Trail Blazers and most recently, the Cleveland Cavaliers during his career. While with the Trail Blazers, the team had back-to-back 50 win seasons for the first time in 10 years as well as their first playoff appearances in five years and he also saw NBA Championship success during his time with the Spurs.

Prunty commented on his appointment: “It is truly an honour to be appointed as Head Coach of the Great Britain Men’s National Team. Every person I have spoken with has shown tremendous passion and enthusiasm for the programme. This is an important time for GB Basketball and the opportunity for all of us is extremely exciting heading into EuroBasket 2013.

“I am grateful to all the people involved who have entrusted me with this position. I am looking forward to working with the players, coaches, and staff members who comprise the GB family.”

Supporting Prunty will be a team of specialists to create a first-class coaching programme to help steer the GB men to success this year.

British Basketball has recruited Performance Psychologist, Bill Beswick, for the first time to work with the senior men across their summer campaign. Beswick has worked in a similar role for England Rugby, the England football team and high profile sides including Manchester United Football Club. Beswick also has a basketball background having previously been head coach to the England men’s team.

Calvin Morris has been appointed as the Strength and Conditioning Coach following his work at England Rugby and with the UK Athletics programme and their Olympic athletes. Mark Gillett returns to his post as Head of Science and Medicine while Fraser McKinney also comes back to the team as Physiotherapist.

Following his work with the GB under-20 side, Mark Lloyd will take up the position of Team Manager for the senior men’s side.

British Basketball’s National Teams Director, Warwick Cann commented on the new staff line-up: “We are aiming for a first class programme which enables players to perform at their very best. Recruitment of good staff has been central to what we are building.”

Story – British Basketball

Photo – cleveland.com

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