Former NBA center Andrew Bogut has been named an assistant coach on Brian Goorjian‘s Sydney Kings coaching staff, according to the official site of Australia’s National Basketball League.
Bogut, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft, spent 14 seasons in the league, appearing in over 700 regular season games and averaging 9.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per contest. He made an All-NBA team in 2010 and an All-Defensive team in 2015 in addition to winning a championship with the Warriors in 2015.
An Australian native, Bogut also has an extensive history with the Sydney Kings. He was named the NBL’s Most Valuable Player and Best Defensive Player in 2019 as a member of the Kings and later became part of the club’s ownership group.
Bogut remains a part-owner of the Kings, but after retiring as a player in 2020, he was eager to get more involved with the on-court product.
“Being away from the game for five years, the itch to get back on the court was growing stronger with time,” Bogut said. “I’m honored to step into this position and work alongside Brian. Coaching is something I’m passionate about, and I can’t wait to help drive this team forward.”
“Being a three-time Olympian and an NBA champion, Andrew has a blue-chip pedigree,” said Goorjian, Australia’s former national team coach. “His knowledge of the game is elite and I know he will be a very valuable addition to our coaching staff.”
While Bogut seems content living and working in his home country, it will be interesting to see if the 40-year-old’s fledgling coaching career develops to the point that he’d consider returning stateside and joining an NBA franchise.