G League Texas Legends

Texas Legends Announce Coaching Staff

Published on November 1, 2011 under NBA G League (G League)
Texas Legends News Release


Frisco, TX, NOV. 2, 2011 - With the announcement of 1995 NBA Coach-of-the-Year Del Harris as the head coach of the Texas Legends, the Legends already have a tremendous amount of experience on the bench. Now, with the unveiling of the coaching staff, the Legends have the most experienced basketball staff in the league.

Returning to the bench as an assistant coach is fourteen-year NBA veteran David Wesley. Wesley, who was also an assistant coach with the Legends during the 2010-11 season, is the second leading scorer among undrafted players in NBA history. Wesley is no stranger to being a player in the minor leagues, having himself played in the CBA prior to his NBA career. While Wesley provides expertise on both sides of the ball, he is an exceptional defensive coach, having established himself as one of the NBA's top defenders during his playing career.

"David is a tremendous asset to our team," commented Legends Head Coach Del Harris. "His knowledge and ability to relate to both the NBA player, and the minor league system, make him a great fit. I look forward to working closely with David and watching him continue to develop as a coach. He has a bright future not only in the NBA D-League, but I fully expect to see him on an NBA sideline in the near future."

Joining Wesley as an assistant coach will be Scott Flemming, who was also a member of the staff last season. Flemming spent 19 years as a head coach at the collegiate level, winning the 2002 NCCAA National Championship. Flemming had a winning percentage of over .600 as a collegiate head coach.

"Scott's experience as a head coach is invaluable," Harris added. "He is organized, a proven teacher of the game, and has a passion for helping players improve. We are lucky to have him."

Blending with Assistant Coaches Wesley and Flemming in terms of player development, are Jason Sasser, Travis Blakeley, and Sam Perkins.

Sasser, a Dallas native, had stints in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, and Vancouver Grizzlies. With extensive minor league experience, Sasser will provide insight for Legends players into both the NBA and minor league system - and the challenges associated with each.

"My experiences with Jason (Sasser) have been nothing but positive," commented Harris. "I coached Jason in the 1998 World Championships, where we medaled without any NBA players (due to the 1998 NBA lockout). Jason was the heart and soul of that team, and I look forward to watching his impact on our players."

Blakeley, also a Dallas native, was the Legends Director of Player Personnel in the 2010-11 season. After helping the Legends acquire a NBA D-League record seven former NBA first round draft picks in the Legends inaugural season, he moves to a player development role for the 2011-12 season.

"Travis has a bright future as a professional coach," Harris said. "He has a tremendous amount of energy, players really respond to him, and I expect him to have a significant impact in developing our players. He has learned from Tim Grgurich and I look forward to seeing Travis' continued growth."

The Legends have also added seventeen-year NBA veteran Sam Perkins to assist in the development of post players. Perkins is a member of the New York City Basketball Hall-of-Fame, and played for the Dallas Mavericks for six seasons. He is the only player in Mavericks history to record a 30-20 game, as he scored 31 points, and grabbed 20 rebounds against the Houston Rockets in 1986.

"There is not another team in the NBA D-League, or in the NBA for that matter, who can provide a person like Sam Perkins to assist their players," Harris concluded. "His ability to teach post play will be a huge advantage. His ability to help players off the floor will be tremendous as well. His reputation as a mentor to players in the NBA is well known, and I am overjoyed that our Legends player will have that same opportunity."

Finally, the Legends add former Baylor University assistant Mark Morefield as a scout. Morefield has more than twelve years of college coaching experience, and will assist the Legends in Thursday's NBA D-League draft.

"I have gotten to know Mark over the past two years, and have been impressed with his basketball acumen," Harris commented. "His collegiate experience will prove valuable as we evaluate players and look for potential diamonds in the rough."

The Legends have experience in the front office as well, ranging from President of Basketball Operations Spud Webb, Assistant General Manager Nancy Lieberman, Executive Advisor Marques Haynes, and Senior Vice President Malcolm Farmer.

"The staff that Del has compiled - in conjunction with our front office staff - gives our players every development opportunity possible," commented Legends Owner and NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson. "I am overjoyed to be able to bring David (Wesley) and Scott (Flemming) back to the staff as assistants, but to be able to also have people like Jason Sasser, Travis Blakeley, Mark Morefield, and Sam Perkins in the equation speaks to the type of coach Del is and his reputation."

Per NBA D-League policy, all hires are pending league approval.

The Legends will open up their season with a home opener on Saturday, November 26th at 3:00PM. The Team plays at HP Court @ Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco.

Legends Basketball Operations Staff:

Spud Webb: President of Basketball Operations

Del Harris: General Manager and Head Coach

Nancy Lieberman: Assistant General Manager

Marques Haynes: Texas Legend/Basketball Operations Executive Advisor

Malcolm Farmer: Senior Vice President/Director of Basketball Operations

David Wesley: Assistant Coach

Scott Flemming: Assistant Coach

Jason Sasser: Player Development

Travis Blakeley: Player Development

Sam Perkins: Player Development

Mark Morefield: Scout

Tyler Gatlin: Scout

Rafael Barlowe: Basketball Operations

Check out the Texas Legends Statistics

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