Lakers hire Messina as coaching consultant

Mike Brown took another step toward completing his staff when he hired former Italian national team coach Ettore Messina today. Messina spent the last two seasons coaching the Spanish club team Real Madrid.

“I am honored to have received this opportunity from one of the great basketball organizations in the world,” Messina said in a statement. “I have great respect for coach Mike Brown and I’m excited to work with him and his staff.”

Messina, whose title will be “coaching consultant,” joins assistants John Kuester, Chuck Person and Quin Snyder on Brown’s staff. It’s been reported the Lakers also will hire ex-University of Utah coach Jim Boylen. Messina

Messina also coached CSKA Moscow for four seasons, winning two Euroleague Championships and four Russian leaguee titles. He coached in the Italian League for 15 seasons. He served as the Italian national team coach from 1993-97, guiding the team to the European Championship in 1997.