Mike Krzyzewski is coming out of retirement and heading to the NBA, as a consultant, not a coach.
The league said Wednesday that Krzyzewski, a Hall of Famer and all-time leader in Division I men’s college coaching wins, is its new special adviser for basketball operations. He will be present next week at the league’s general managers meeting in Chicago, coinciding with the draft lottery and combine there.
Mike Krzyzewski, former head coach of the Duke Blue Devils, and his wife Mickie look on during the first half of their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 14, 2023 in Durham, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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«We are honored to have Coach K join the NBA family and share his vast experience and knowledge with the league and our teams,» said Byron Spruell, NBA president of league operations. «As a preeminent coach and renowned leader who cares deeply about the game of basketball, he is uniquely suited to spark discussion and provide insight into the current and future of the NBA.»
Former Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski and his wife, Mickie Krzyzewski, attend the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 14, 2023 in Durham, North Carolina. (King Spear)
The former Duke coach «will provide advice to the league office, NBA team executives and other league leaders on a number of game-related issues,» the league said.
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Krzyzewski retired after the 2021-22 season with five national championships, along with a host of records including 1,202 wins at the Men’s Division I level, 13 Final Four appearances, 36 trips to the NCAA Tournament and 101 NCAA Tournament game wins.
Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils walks to the locker room following their loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Four at Caesars Superdome on April 2, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (King Spear)
«This is a great opportunity to deepen my connection to the NBA and participate in conversations about how to make the league and the game even stronger,» Krzyzewski said. «Even in my retirement as a coach, my passion for the sport has never been higher. This role will allow me to remain committed to basketball at the highest level.»
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Krzyzewski turned down opportunities to join th
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski and the middle and assistant coaches react during the first half of a college basketball game between Duke and Texas Tech in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament in San Francisco, Thursday, May 24. March 2022. (AP Photo/Marcio José Sánchez)
e NBA as a coach several times during his career at Duke. He worked with NBA players during his long tenure as head coach of the USA Basketball senior men’s team, going 88-1 in that role with three Olympic gold medals, two Basketball World Cup gold medals and one gold. in the FIBA AmeriCup.