San Antonio Spurs: Ime Udoka to reportedly interview for Hornets job

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 14: Assistant Coach Ime Udoka of the San Antonio Spurs coaches during the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game One of Round One during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 14, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 14: Assistant Coach Ime Udoka of the San Antonio Spurs coaches during the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game One of Round One during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 14, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ime Udoka will reportedly interview for the Charlotte Hornets’ head coach opening.

Led by head coach Gregg Popovich, the San Antonio Spurs boast a staff that has received interviews from other organizations since the 69-year old took over in the 1990’s. Mike Budenholzer and Mike Brown are among the former disciples to receive lead jobs elsewhere, and it seems there is a chance of a recurrence in the 2018 offseason.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Spurs assistant Ime Udoka will interview for the Charlotte Hornets head coach opening, a spot held by Steve Clifford who was fired after the season ended. Udoka joins fellow San Antonio staff member Ettore Messina on the Hornets’ interview schedule.

San Antonio assistant Ime Udoka will interview for the Charlotte Hornets coaching vacancy later this week, league sources tell ESPN. Udoka joins Spurs assistant Ettore Messina and David Fizdale among candidates scheduled to meet Charlotte this week.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 22, 2018

Udoka joined the Spurs staff in 2012, remaining there for the past six seasons. Prior to that, he played for the Silver and Black from 2007-11, appearing in 160 games and averaging 4.5 points, 2.7 rebounds on 34.2 percent shooting from 3-point range.

Messina and Udoka will not be the only assistants in coaching searches, either. Wojnowski also reported that James Borrego, who had a 30-game stint as Orlando Magic interim coach in 2014-15, will interview for the New York Knicks position. The Knicks fired Jeff Hornacek after the season ended.

It is possible other NBA coach openings arrive, too, which could put any of these three assistants in position. Becky Hammon remains, as well, who once had interest in the Colorado State men’s basketball opening.

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The Spurs bench could receive a shake-up if any of these assistants leave for other jobs. Given the success of this organization, it would not be a surprise if others want to expand the Popovich coaching tree and see if they find their own fortune. Look for this to develop when San Antonio gets eliminated from the NBA playoffs.