The Rockets are hiring Lionel Hollins, Mike Batiste, and Mahmoud Abdelfattah as assistant coaches for the 2022-23 staff of Stephen Silas, as first reported by Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston. They will replace three outgoing coaches in Jeff Hornacek, Will Weaver, and DeSagana Diop, who worked next to Silas over his first two seasons in Houston.
The interest in Hollins and Abdelfattah was previously reported. Hollins, a former NBA head coach from the “Grid and Grind” era in Memphis and an experienced assistant for several teams, brings the type of defensive pedigree that was crucial to the Rockets in this search. More recently, Hollins was an assistant to Frank Vogel with the 2019-20 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, who had the league’s third-ranked defense.
Meanwhile, Abdelfattah is moving up after a very successful stint as head coach for Houston’s NBA G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers. RGV won the G League championship last season.
As for Batiste, a former NBA player and EuroLeague star, he has worked as an assistant with Brooklyn (2016-17), Charlotte (2017-18), Orlando (2018-21), and Washington (2021-22) over the last six seasons.
Hollins, Batiste, and Abdelfattah will join John Lucas and Rick Higgins as Silas’ five-man staff of top assistants for the 2022-23 season. Higgins is reportedly serving as head coach for summer league play.
NBA source: The Rockets are adding Lionel Hollins, Mike Batiste and Mahmoud Abdelfattah to Stephen Silas’ staff.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 4, 2022
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Basketball News Click Here
