Phil Hubbard named D-Fenders’ head coach

After serving as an assistant coach for the Lakers’ Development League affiliate for two seasons years, Phil Hubbard will become the D-Fenders’ next head coach.

Hubbard’s other coaching stints have proven wide-ranging. He had assistant coaching gigs with with the Atlanta Hawks (1995-98), Golden State Warriors (1998-2003) and Washington Wizards (2003-09). Hubbard worked as a college scout for the New York Knicks (1990-95). He coached overseas in China and the Dominican Republic. And Hubbard had extensive ties to the D-League, including assistant coaching gigs with the Reno Bighorns (2010-11), D-Fenders (2011-2013) and the Santa Cruz Warriors (2013-14).

“We are excited to announce Phil Hubbard as the head coach of the D-Fenders,” D-Fenders president Joey Buss said in a statement. “Phil is an NBA veteran, consummate professional and has decades of coaching experience. His passion for basketball will inspire our players to develop both on and off the court while competing for a championship.”

Hubbard, the 15th pick of the 1979 NBA draft, also had a 10-year NBA career where he averaged 10.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 665 games with the Detroit Pistons (1979-82) and Cleveland Cavaliers (1982-89).

“During his previous tenure with the team, and throughout his career, Phil has proven to be exceptional at relating to players while preparing them for the next level,” D-Fenders general manager Nick Mazzella said in a statement. “Our team will benefit from his coaching acumen and experience as a professional athlete, as we continue to cultivate talent for the Lakers and the NBA.”

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com