Joey Meyer to Coach NBA Development League Team in Tulsa
August 2, 2005 - NBA G League (G League)
Tulsa 66ers News Release
TULSA, Okla., Aug. 2 - Joey Meyer, former head coach at DePaul University and the winningest coach in NBA Development League history, has been named head coach of the Tulsa 66ers, it was announced today by Southwest Basketball, LLC principal David Kahn.
"Joey's record as a basketball coach-both in college and at the pro level-speaks for itself," said Kahn. "We are thrilled to have him with the Tulsa 66ers. He is warm, approachable and eager to make an impact in the Tulsa community".
Recognized as one of the most successful college basketball coaches in the nation, Joey Meyer served as head coach for the DePaul Blue Demons for 13 seasons (1984-1997), posting a 231-158 record, including six 20-win seasons, seven NCAA Tournament appearances, and three NIT bids. He was named CBS Chevrolet Coach of the Year in 1987 and won the Great Midwest Conference regular season championship in 1991-92.
"I am really impressed with the interest level and support the Tulsa community has shown the new team," said Meyer. "David and Joe have done a great job of creating excitement and I am look forward to working in the community both on and off the court."
Meyer brings a wealth of NBA D-League head coaching experience to Tulsa's basketball operations department, having coached in the league since its inception of the Asheville Altitude. Meyer has won more games than any coach in D-League history with a 104-96 (.520) overall record and is undefeated in postseason play (5-0).
In 2004, Meyer took the Altitude to its first playoff appearance and guided Asheville to a league-best 28-18 (.609) finish on the way to the organization's first regular and postseason championship. Remarkably, with only one player returning from the previous championship roster, Meyer led the Altitude back to the postseason championship in 2005, becoming the only coach in league history to achieve the honor.
An excellent teacher of the game, Meyer has had seven players called up on nine different occasions from the D-League to the NBA, including Jason Hart, who signed a multi-year NBA contract with the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004.
A member of the basketball coaching profession for over 31 years, Meyer continues to be a well-known figure in the basketball community, selected most recently as an assistant for the USA World Championship Qualifying Team that will compete from Aug. 24-Sept. 4, 2005 in the Dominican Republic. Meyer along with former NBA great Dennis Johnson, head coach of the Florida Flame, will assist USA Basketball head coach Mo McHone.
The son of Hall of Fame coach Ray Meyer, Joey competed for four seasons with the Blue Demons (1968-71) scoring 1,233 career points and serving as co-captain during his senior season. He followed his father's career path, serving as the freshman head coach from 1971-1972 and the junior varsity head coach from 1972-73. After serving as an assistant coach on his father's DePaul staff for 11 years, Meyer took over the head coaching reins in 1984.
Prior to his arrival to the D-League, Meyer coached the Chicago Skyliners of the ABA 2000 to a league-best 29-11 record en route to a Western Conference Championship.
Meyer and his wife Barbara are the parents of one son, Brian, 23.
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NBA G League Stories from August 2, 2005
- Johnson Will Not Return In 2005-06 As Flame Head Coach - Florida Flame
- Joey Meyer to Coach NBA Development League Team in Tulsa - Tulsa 66ers
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