Suns Add Bjorkgren to Coaching Staff
July 31, 2015 - NBA G League (G League)
Bakersfield Jam News Release
BAKERSFIELD, July 30, 2015 - The Phoenix Suns have hired Bakersfield Jam Head Coach Nate Bjorkgren as an Assistant Coach/ Player Development Coordinator and promoted Jam General Manager Bubba Burrage to Director of Player Personnel, the team announced today. Bjorkgren led the Jam to the inaugural Showcase Cup Championship and a Western Conference Semifinals Playoff appearance in his first season (2014-15) as the Head Coach of the Jam.
"It is an honor to be joining Coach Hornacek and the Phoenix Suns organization," said Bjorkgren. "I am looking forward to our upcoming season. I want to thank the entire Bakersfield Jam organization and community for all the support during the season. My family and I enjoyed our time with the Jam. It was an extremely valuable part of my life and coaching career."
In the successful first year single-affiliation partnership with the Phoenix Suns, Bjorkgren developed four Suns players - T.J. Warren, Tyler Ennis, Archie Goodwin and Reggie Bullock -during their assignment with the Jam. Most recently, he served as the Suns Head Coach at the 2015 Summer League. Under his helm, the Suns went 5-2 and claimed a runner-up finish after advancing to the NBA Summer League Championship game.
"Nate did a great job of implementing our system and was very successful in his time with the Jam," said Phoenix Suns Head Coach Jeff Hornacek. "He brings with him an abundance of experience from his previous coaching positions and we are excited to add his energy and enthusiasm to our staff."
The Jam completed the 2014-15 regular season with a 34-16 record. Under Bjorkgren's helm, three Jam players received GATORADE Call-Ups to the NBA (Elijah Millsap- Utah Jazz, Earl Barron- Phoenix Suns, Jerel McNeal- Phoenix Suns) and four Jam players received NBA D-League honors: Earl Barron (All-NBA D-League First Team), Jerel McNeal (Impact Player of the Year and All-NBA D-League Third Team), Joe Jackson (Most Improved Player and All-NBA D-League Defensive Second Team) and Renaldo Major (Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award). Bjorkgren and his staff were also named to coach the 2015 NBA D-League All-Star Game Prospects Team as a result of holding the best record in the Development League through January 25.
"Nate obviously was excellent in every way for the Jam last season," said Bakersfield Jam General Manager Bubba Burrage. "We were very fortunate to have him as our coach and there is no doubt he will be a great fit on Coach Hornacek's staff next season. He has a passion for basketball that is way beyond the norm. He works very hard and is so very deserving of this promotion."
Burrage is promoted to Director of Player Personnel after spending the past four seasons as the Suns' Head Pro Personnel Scout. Last season also marked Burrage's first as General Manager of the Jam as the Suns began a single-affiliation partnership with Bakersfield, a role he will continue to fulfill in addition to being Director of Player Personnel with Phoenix.
"I appreciate the opportunities that the Suns have given me," said Burrage. "I'm excited by the team's direction in Phoenix and look forward to another great season with the Bakersfield Jam."
NBA G League Stories from July 31, 2015
- Suns Add Bjorkgren to Coaching Staff - Bakersfield Jam
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
