Jeff Malone to coach Columbus

by NBDL Press Release
June 28, 2001 - NBA G League (G League)

NBDL Press Release

Former NBA All-Star and a Native of Georgia to Coach in the NBA's Minor League

Jeff Malone, a two-time NBA All-Star and a native of Georgia, has been named head coach of the National Basketball Development League's (NBDL) team in Columbus, Georgia.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to rejoin the NBA family and continue my coaching career back in my home state," said Malone. "The NBDL will give me a chance to develop players' skills, enhance my coaching abilities and make a tremendous impact on the Columbus community."

Malone, who played for 13 years in the NBA, has spent the past three years coaching minor league basketball. In the NBA, he averaged 19.0 points per game on .484 shooting along with 2.4 assists per game with Washington (1983-84 - 1989-90), Utah (1990-91 - 1993-94), Philadelphia (1993-94 - 1995-96) and Miami (1995-96). A native of Macon, Georgia, he attended Mississippi State University where he averaged 19.5 ppg on .512 shooting while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. Malone averaged 26.8 ppg during his senior year at MSU and earned The Sporting News All-America first team honors before being selected by Washington in the first round (10th pick overall) of the 1983 NBA Draft.

"Jeff's competitive spirit has been seen on the court as a two-time NBA All-Star and on the sidelines as a professional coach," said Rob Levine, the NBA's Senior Vice President, New League Development. "The opportunity to have Jeff coach in his home region and contribute to the surrounding community makes Columbus' fans the big winner."

Malone earned NBA All-Rookie team honors after the 1983-84 season with Washington and went on to score over 17,000 points over his career. He also averaged 18.7 ppg on .470 shooting throughout his NBA postseason career, making the Playoffs in eight of his 13 seasons.

After he retired from the NBA in 1996, Malone worked as an assistant coach in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) for the Yakima Sun Kings during the 1998-99 season. He then went on to serve as an assistant coach in the International Basketball League (IBL) with the San Diego Stingrays in 1999 before being promoted to the club's head coach post in 2000. This past season, Malone served as head coach of the Trenton Stars of the IBL.

Malone also dedicated a significant amount of time throughout his career to community outreach programs including President Reagan's "Just Say No to Drugs" program, the Washington Bullets Summer Basketball Camps and the Utah Jazz Children's Basketball Camps. From 1983 through 1993, Malone also organized and ran his own basketball camp for underprivileged children.

Columbus' NBDL team will tip off its inaugural season this November with home games at the Columbus Civic Center.

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NBA G League Stories from June 28, 2001

• Kent Davison to coach Roanoke - OSC Original by NBDL Press Release
• Jeff Malone to coach Columbus - OSC Original by NBDL Press Release

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