The Brooklyn Nets have hired Atlanta Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach in an effort to turn their fortunes around.
The Nets were said to have had interest in San Antonio's assistant Ettore Messina as well as former New York and Houston head coach Jeff Van Gundy, currently an NBA TV analyst.
However, Brooklyn General Manager Sean Marks decided on Atkinson, who has been Mike Budenholzer's top assistant in Atlanta for the past couple of seasons.
"We are thrilled to announce Kenny Atkinson as our new head coach and to welcome and his family to Brooklyn," Marks said in a statement on Sunday.
"Kenny's years of experience working under successful head coaches such as Mike Budenholzer and Mike D'Antoni have provided him with the foundation and experience we are looking for in a head coach.
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"We believe that Kenny's core principles, leaderships, communication skills and exceptional background in player development make him fit for the culture we are building in Brooklyn."
Atkinson, 48, inherits a club that finished with a dismal 21-61 record this season under Lionel Hollins and interim head coach Tony Brown.
Atkinson will remain with the Hawks throughout the playoffs.
