CLEVELAND -- John Beilein's Cleveland Cavaliers coaching staff is almost complete.
On Wednesday, the Cavs announced they have hired Antonio Lang as an assistant coach. Lang, who spent the past five seasons as an assistant with the Utah Jazz, is the third assistant to officially join Beilein's staff, which also includes associate head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and former California Berkeley head coach Lindsay Gottlieb.
“We are very happy to welcome Antonio back to Cleveland. He has had a diverse, successful career and brings a deep knowledge of so many different aspects of the game, both as a player and as a coach, in the NBA and internationally,” Cavs general manager Koby Altman said in a statement. “Antonio has been a winner at every level of basketball and brings a broad perspective of the game along with a firm understanding of what a winning culture requires. We know his basketball mind and experience will translate well to having a very positive and impactful role as a member of our coaching staff.”
As Altman alluded to, Lang is no stranger to Northeast Ohio.
The No. 29 overall pick of the 1994 NBA Draft, Lang spent three of his six seasons in the league with the Cavs. Over the course of two stints in Cleveland (1995-97 and 1998-99), the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 2.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 11.1 minutes over the course of 11.1 games.
In addition to Cleveland, the Duke product spent a season each in Phoenix, Miami, Toronto and Philadelphia. Following his six seasons in the NBA, the 47-year-old Lang spent time in the ABA, CBA, Philippines, Japan and Brazil.
After spending four seasons as the head coach of Mitsubishi Electric in Japan, Lang joined Quin Snyder's staff in Utah. In each of the past three seasons, the Jazz qualified for the playoffs, advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals in 2017 and 2018.
“First, I want to recognize the great opportunity for growth that Coach Snyder and the Jazz organization have provided. It has been a first-class organization to be a part of and I thank them for what has been a great experience,” Lang said in a statement. “Coming back to Cleveland, a place that I really enjoyed and appreciated when I played here, was a great opportunity as well and one that I felt was a special fit for my basketball journey. Understanding the direction of this team and the specific approach from Coach Beilein and Koby Altman that is being used to work towards our culture, growth, goals and sustained success, was something that I really connected with and believe in. I am greatly looking forward to getting started with our players and my fellow coaches and I am thankful to be back in Cleveland.”
Entering Thursday's NBA Draft, the Cavs lay claim to the No. 5 and No. 26 picks in the first round.
