Forde, McIntyre Set for NBA Stint

The San Antonio Spurs’ coaching staff is set to have a distinct NBL flavour at the NBA Summer League California Classic.

Current Spurs assistant and former NBL MVP Matthew Nielsen will take the reins for the side in the pre-season tournament as the latest step in his emerging coaching career.

Nielsen was named as an NBL champion, MVP, Grand Final MVP and scoring champion in 2004 before embarking on a successful European playing career.

Since retiring from playing, he has won three NBL titles as an assistant at the Wildcats and has been involved with the Spurs organisation since 2019.

Cairns head coach Adam Forde and Sydney assistant coach Fleur McIntyre will also join the program as guest coaches under Nielsen.

Forde was named as the NBL’s Coach of the Year in NBL23 after pulling the Taipans from the lower reaches of the ladder into a semi-finals spot, while McIntyre has been an assistant at the Kings for each of the recent title triumphs.

"It's really exciting to be offered the chance to be an international guest coach with an incredible organisation like the San Antonio Spurs," McIntyre told the Kings' website. 

"Especially getting to work alongside someone like Nelly [Nielsen] who I've known for years and have always admired as a coach and basketball brain.

"Going into it, I don't have any expectations rather, going in with an open mind and being willing to do whatever task is needed - while listening and learning as much as I possibly can.

"I'm confident that I'll be able to learn plenty of new skills and intangibles from the Spurs that I'll be able to bring back to Sydney and help our great club."

For a list of NBL23 players reported to be competing at NBA Summer League, click here.