2004 NBL MVP Nielsen to Coach Austin Spurs

NBL legend Matt Nielsen has been announced as the new head coach of the Austin Spurs, the NBA G-League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs.

Nielsen enjoyed a decorated career in the NBL, being crowned the league’s MVP in 2004 and winning championships in 2003 and 2004. He had two stints with the Sydney Kings, one in 1995 and then again from 1997-2004, where he played in 244 games and averaged 17.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals.

In his outstanding 2004 season, Nielsen was also the NBL Grand Final MVP and led the league in scoring. He also won the NBL Rookie of the Year award in 1997.

Nielsen has since become one of Australia’s most successful and respected assistant coaches. He served as an assistant with the Perth Wildcats from 2015-2019, where he won three championships.

His coaching career began in San Antonio, serving as a player development assistant during the 2014-15 season. Nielsen has since formed a strong relationship with the Spurs, as he was an assistant coach with San Antonio’s summer league team from 2014-19.

Nielsen spent last season as an assistant coach for Austin and now becomes the seventh head coach in Austin Spurs history.

Nielsen was also a member of the Australian National Team from 1997-2012. He represented the Boomers at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics and helped guide Australia to the gold medal at the 1997 FIBA Under-21 World Championship.